Type: Zip-up sleeping bag | Fabric: Cotton and spandex | Size: Premie, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months What we love

It may not feel like it, but your newborn spends up to 20 hours of each day asleep. Because of this, it’s vital to make sure your baby is swaddled safely and that risks are minimised as much as possible.

1. Best overall swaddle: Love to Dream SwaddleUP

The practice of swaddling has been used in cultures throughout the world for thousands of years. The best swaddles will wrap your baby up in a way that mimics the womb, creating a warm, safe feeling for your baby, which encourages them to sleep for longer in their crib. I found them much softer and much bigger than most other muslins. I also got them from TK Maxx, they had another brand called I think baby style which were similar. I had loads of others from the high street but these two brands were much nicer. DC4 now 7 used two particular A+A ones as comforters, they've almost disintegrated now but the pieces that are left are soft as silk.” (Loved by Mumsnetter Notso) Our verdict Love to dream! We tried the TT gro swaddles and found the sizing to be quite small. It felt really constricting around her torso with her arms in and and she wasn’t a big baby. Also she likes to have arms up a bit so the love to dream has been great. Most of my mums group use the love to dream also.” (Loved by Mumsnet user Lpc123) Many new parents often wonder why you need to swaddle a baby, especially a newborn, as they don’t move around a great deal.

As well as researching modern baby must-haves like the best baby monitors and the best travel cots, at Mumsnet we know the importance of tried and tested methods our members swear by for better sleep, like swaddling. Getting a good nights’ sleep is key for both you and your baby, especially in those early weeks and months.The SwaddleMe POD comes in a variety of colors and patterns to suit all tastes. It is suitable for babies weighing from 5-11 pounds, and the age range is 0 – 2 months. Some parents say it's hard to zip their squirmy babies into this swaddle. And for some babies, a tighter, arms-down swaddle may be more effective. Parents say

Examine the swaddler to see how much of a custom fit you can get. Some swaddlers have inner bands that keep babies from being able to break out, while others utilize Velcro. There are also models that use a hook and loop attachment to secure the wings. As your baby gets older, you may notice the swaddlers switch to snaps. This is to give parents the option to free their babies’ arms during the weaning process. As long as your baby doesn’t soil or spit up on the swaddler, you don’t have to wash it daily. Once or twice per week is just fine. Elizabeth Murray, D.O., a pediatrician at the Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester, and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics

It has a simple one zip closing system that makes swaddling your baby super simple. The pod is made from a cotton blend that stretches with your baby’s movements, providing a comfortable and soft experience.

When swaddling your baby at night, be sure to keep a close eye on the temperature in your child’s room and make sure that the fabric your child is wearing is appropriate for the climate of your home," Ashton McCutchen, a certified pediatric sleep consultant, and a pediatric registered nurse tells Verywell Family. "Also, be careful not to over-swaddle your baby during the day, as this can result in your child getting too much daytime sleep, which will make for less nighttime sleeping.Swaddles come in different sizes for each age, which is an important factor many parents and caregivers don’t know. Knowing the correct size will keep your baby safe as a blanket that’s too big for them may become loose and then a suffocation hazard. Although these safety warnings can sound alarming, it’s important to remember that SIDS is rare and that swaddling as a practice has been used for thousands of years. How long should you swaddle a baby for? Given the lightweight feel of the blanket, we found it held up surprisingly well through multiple washes, with zero pilling or color runs. The stretchiness of the fabric will require expert swaddling to create an inescapable hold for wriggly babies. If that proves to be difficult, you can still use this blanket as an extra lightweight layer to stash in your bags, to use under a footmuff in a stroller, or in a car seat on the go. Our testing parent loved using this blanket while the baby slept in a stroller, with the stretchy fabric keeping them snug and settled. The SwaddleMe POD is designed for newborns and is even suitable for premature babies. It recreates a womb-like environment and helps to prevent your baby from startling themselves awake by making them feel safe and cozy.