As we said, every baby is different and some may prefer to stretch out after only a few days or weeks, while others will enjoy the cosy feeling for longer. Experiment and see what works for your little one. It has also been suggested that swaddling can mimic the feeling of being cuddled or held, which is crucial for a baby’s development. Potential benefits of having some extra cuddle-time during sleeping hours include healthy weight gain and growth.

The ideal room temperature for newborns is between 20 and 22 celsius. This is when a baby might be most comfortable in just one extra layer, such as a short-sleeved bodysuit or vest, underneath their swaddle. For colder nights, parents can wrap their baby in a sleepsuit, or a bodysuit underneath a sleepsuit, depending on how chilly it is and the child’s reaction. We tried so many different swaddles and my DD seemed to hate them all - she would just fight against it and get so frustrated and angry. I'd just about given up on swaddling, and the idea of her sleeping anywhere other than me, then tried one last type called the Miracle Blanket. It comes with a 100% guarantee that it will help your baby get to sleep and stay asleep longer and it honestly works! It's saved my sleep.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter MissHoney85) A. Little Seeds’ organic cotton easy-to-use swaddles come in sizes 0-3 months and 3-6 months. Swaddles for ages 0-3 months are for babies weighing between 7-14 lbs. These swaddles are 73cm x 56cm each, and you can adjust the velcro straps to fit smaller babies. The USP here is definitely the inclusion of some eye-catching ‘wings’ built into the top of the swaddle. At first glance, they're maybe more Batman than cute and comfy, but our tester found the movement this provided priceless for soothing her little girl, as it allowed her to sleep in her favourite 'arms-up' position. While not all babies like to sleep in this position, this is the swaddle most highly rated by both our tester and most frequently recommended by Mumsnet users. Always make sure your baby is able to move her legs, or that her hips are in the frog position to reduce risk of hip dysplasia. Many swaddle blankets will be designed to accommodate this.Babies have a ‘startle reflex’, an instinctive movement that frequently wakes them up throughout the night. Swaddling your baby involves wrapping them up so that their arms are held close to their body, and so they're is unable to move and ‘startle’ themselves awake. This often means they can sleep longer and more deeply, in turn allowing you a little extra rest. By doing this, we whittled our longlist down and chose a selection of products that we think offer something for everybody. Why you should trust us My DS was the same, we ended up using a woombie (the mega size) until he was 9 months old. He then transitioned easily to a sleeping bag.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter Captainj1) Our verdict

Avoid co-sleeping: 'Never swaddle your baby when bed-sharing as they could overheat,' Ratcliffe warns. One of the best types of fabric for baby clothing, especially for sleeping, is cotton. This is a breathable material and can help regulate temperatures. Little Seeds’ easy-to-use swaddles are made with a super-soft and breathable organic cotton, which can ensure babies do not overheat. As with many decisions around getting your baby to sleep, this is a personal choice and will vary from parent to parent. If you’re looking for the best swaddle for you and your baby, we’ve done the hard work for you - after scouring the Mumsnet Talk forums for authentic recommendations from our network of millions of parents, we've weighed up the pros and cons of a wide range of swaddles, and we've come up with recommendations that we think offer something for everybody.There are many reasons families like to swaddle their baby,' says Ratcliffe. 'Some are for cultural reasons. Others can be if the baby has a strong startle reflex, or if the baby is overtired or over-stimulated.' Love2dream suits. I buy them as presents for any friend with a new baby, they are amazing…” (Recommended by Mumsnetter SW1amp)

Traditional swaddle blankets are simply large blankets that can be wrapped in a special way to contain your baby safely, creating a womb-like sleeping environment. It is important that parents ensure the material used is breathable, such as cotton. There is a specific method to turning a normal blanket into a swaddle blanket, and below is a step-by-step guide to creating a traditional swaddle blanket for your baby: SwaddleMe's simple Velcro fastening and wing design make this swaddle easy to use, and gives parents flexibility on exactly how tightly to swaddle their baby. Little Seeds also has a range of super-soft swaddling blankets. Another high-quality baby essential, they too are made from organic cotton. Unlike traditional swaddles, where you have to create the correct shape yourself, these easy-to-use swaddles allow parents to snuggly wrap up their babies safely and securely, achieving the perfect fit every time. Avoid layering: Do not add extra layers to baby swaddles. 'Blankets could cause overheating or suffocation should they pull them over their heads.' Never swaddle above the shoulders: 'Do not swaddle a baby’s head,' advises Ratcliffe. 'And never put a hat on unless it’s been medically advised, as they could risk overheating which then becomes a sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk.'

A traditional swaddle, a cot blanket and a cot cover rolled into one? The Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle is a winner in our book. I have a load of these and love them. I’m on baby no. 4 now and the ones I bought for baby 1 are just as lovely as they were when new.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user Isawthathaggis) Some parents swear by the soothing powers of a tightly fitted muslin during the early days. 'That deep pressure from the swaddle can make them feel safer as it replicates that tight feeling they get in the womb, so it helps with that transition from womb to world,' adds Ratcliffe. Mumsnetters love Grobags for older babies, so it makes sense that the Grosnug swaddle is equally popular. Available in a range of cute and colourful designs, it features a zip opening which enables you to change your baby’s nappy without un-swaddling their top half. Want to know more about swaddle wraps? Take a look at our in-depth blog, highlighting everything you need to know about swaddling blankets.

The Miracle blanket comes highly recommended by parents who’ve tried other swaddles and come to their wit’s end. So if your baby has a strong startle reflex, colic or finds it hard to settle, it’s definitely worth giving the Miracle Blanket a whirl. Never swaddle too tightly: 'Don’t use a blanket,' says Ratcliffe. 'Instead use a thin muslin cloth or a light cotton sheet and wrap loosely around the hips to avoid hip dysplasia.'However, you should definitely stop swaddling the moment your baby shows signs of learning how to roll over, says Ratcliffe, 'with the aim of weaning off by 12 weeks,' she adds. How do you know if your baby is cold at night?