The Gro Company Hip Healthy Swaddle, Up and Away

Product Information

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.

Newborn babies usually like to be swaddled over-arm. This gives them the secure feeling that they were used to in the womb, which can help them to settle to sleep better. You will probably find that anywhere between 3 and 6 weeks of age, your baby prefers to sleep with their arms out, but still with the nice comfortable wrap around their tummy. But all babies are different, and you will soon get to know what suits your little one best. Every baby is different and there is no set time when you should stop swaddling. Many babies enjoy being swaddled for several months whilst others will become frustrated by their restricted movement from as early as two to three months. In a very warm bedroom, you could use the Groswaddle with no clothing underneath. If the bedroom is hot (over 75°F/ 24°C), 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.The Grosnug combines an easy swaddle with a newborn Grobag. . You don’t need to know how to swaddle your baby, just place them inside and zip them in. It has poppers which allow you to swaddle your baby arms in or arms out – whichever they prefer, allowing them to move onto a Grobag Baby Sleep Bag when they’re ready. Our Swaddlebags have been designed to be snug up top and wriggly down below - slim fitting through the chest to enable full freedom of movement without restriction or excess bulk with a roomy, hip-healthy bottom to allow your baby to adopt a natural “frog-legged” sleeping position, which is important for correct hip development. Swaddling issimply wrapping up your babygently, so theycan’tmove their arms. To your baby being swaddled can replicate the feeling they had of being in the womb. The Tommee Tippee Gro Bag snuggle. It can be used as a swaddle with the arms poppered or as a regular sleeping bag with them undone. Just beware the sizing as I found they run really small.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter RandomQuest) A big thumbs up from us, and I would definitely add it to the list of ‘essential’ baby items to get before your little one arrives!

Not every baby needs to be swaddled. Many full-term, healthy babies learn to sleep quite happily without one. Some parents even prefer to have their baby adjust to “outside the womb” sleeping conditions right from the start, so that they don’t have to wean the swaddle a few months later when their baby starts to roll. 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)Allour swaddlescan be machine washed at 40°C. They can be hung out to dry or tumble dried on a low setting. As with all cotton goods, we have designed ourswaddlesto allow for up to 5% shrinkage. If your child has any allergies and you wish to wash yourswaddleat 60°C, you should allow for a little more shrinkage. Use hip-healthy swaddling techniques to that allow your baby's hips and knees to move freely to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia. Your baby’s legs should be able to fall into a natural position (like frog legs).

Sleep, temperature, and comfort are closely intertwined, and behaviours geared towards creating a comfortable sleep environment are present in all mammals – from the little mouse curling up in its burrow to the person buying bedding for their home. If we can keep baby at a nice and comfy temperature throughout the night, we can avoid any unnecessary wake ups due to them being too hot or too cold. Providing your child with a comfortable sleep environment is one of the best things you can do, to help your baby sleep better and for longer, night after night. If baby is startling themselves awake: You might have noticed as your baby is falling asleep, they suddenly twitch or jerk and wake up. These “sleep starts” ormyclonicjerks are perfectly normalbut in some babies, they can delay theonset of sleep and make the whole process of drifting off a real struggle. Being swaddled prevents the flailing of your baby’s limbs which tends to wake them up. We asked a group of real mums what they used to swaddle their baby and what they liked and disliked about it.

How to swaddle your baby safely

The Groswaddle is our traditional wrap, a shaped swaddle with exactly the right amount of fabric for a safe swaddle – with no risk of overwrapping. You can use it to swaddle your baby arms in or arms out, by using different wrapping techniques. Swaddling has been the answer over here! SwaddleMe velcro wraps are great and easy to use. When ready to transition out you can just let one arm out then the other but keep the wrap tight around the chest. You can then loosen a little (obviously not too loose to be dangerous) until you are ready to pop in a sleeping bag instead.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter Mizydoscape) Our verdict The best time to swaddle a baby is when it’s time for them to go to sleep, whether that’s for a nap or through the night. 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.

Love2dream suits. I buy them as presents for any friend with a new baby, they are amazing…” (Recommended by Mumsnetter SW1amp) The main key to helping your baby sleep without a swaddle is not to allow swaddling to become your baby’s only sleep trigger. From an early age, you should introduce some other sleep signifiers atbed timewhich will still let them know that sleepy time is coming and will help them to settle even though the swaddle has gone. These sleep triggers should include: 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 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 Our Swaddlebags come in two sizes: 0-3 months (7-13lbs 8oz/3.2-6.1kg and up to 62cm in height) and 3-6 months (from 13lbs 8oz – 18lbs/6.1-8.2kg and 62-68cm in height) so you can choose the best fit 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.