New parents spend a lot of time thinking about sleep. There are crib mattresses to consider, nap schedules to adhere to, the best sleep sacks to wriggle a squirmy baby into—not to mention all the middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes that cut into your own REM cycles. If it feels like a lot, it is—especially if your little one seems to stir more than most.
Humidifiers and white noise machines can only do so much to create a soothing environment, sometimes your newborn or toddler needs physical touch to feel secure and sleep more soundly through the night. That’s where sleep sacks come in. “The greatest benefit of a sleep sack is that it is a safe, wearable blanket that can’t fall off,” says Xan Coffman, founder of MyBaby Sleepology and a sleep consultant who has worked with hundreds of families to help their little ones rest better at night. A sleep sack can help your baby feel safe and warm and cozy when they don’t know how to tuck themselves in with a blanket in the middle of the night. Because of this, sleep sacks are recommended by sleep consultants and pediatricians alike until two to three years of age, says Coffman.
Sleep sacks tend to be sleeveless and fasten with zippers, but you can also find long-sleeve ones for winter, or footless ones if your baby tends to overheat. You don’t need anything fancy, like a weighted sleep sack, either. (In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against weighted sleep sacks.) Instead, look for lightweight bamboo or muslin options, says Coffman: “They are so incredibly soft and comfortable, and they’re slightly more breathable than cotton.”
If you’re looking for a gift for a pregnant friend, a present for a new mom, or a baby gift, you can’t go wrong with a sleep sack These are the ones the parents we polled, and reviewers alike, say are the very best.
Our top picks:
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