How Many Swaddle Blankets Do You Need?

Swaddling is a great way to keep your newborn secure and warm for the first four months of their life. But how many swaddle blankets do you actually need? While these blankets are great for swaddling, they’re also helpful for cleaning up spit-up, tummy time, and everything in between—so you might need more swaddles than you think. Learn how many swaddle blankets you need (and why), and how to get more mileage out of these blankets once you stop swaddling. 

The Short Answer: How Many Swaddle Blankets Do Most Parents Need?

For most babies, six to eight swaddles is the sweet spot. That gives you two blankets to use immediately, two in the laundry, and two waiting in the wings for surprise messes. You may want to err on the side of having more swaddles on hand if your baby has frequent blowouts or spits up a lot. 

However, you don’t have to get a lot of swaddles right away if you don’t want to. Many parents prefer to start with anywhere from three to six swaddles, see how their baby responds, and add more if needed. After all, some babies love swaddling, and others will fight swaddling like it’s their full-time job, so you may just need to see how your baby responds first.

Why Most Parents Need More Swaddle Blankets Than They Expect

Wrapping your baby in a swaddle mimics the feeling of being in the womb, which can improve sleep, both for you and your baby. By gently keeping their little arms in place, swaddling helps calm the Moro reflex, which is the natural startle response that jolts babies awake just as they start drifting off. 

Since swaddles are a surprisingly important part of your newborn’s sleep hygiene, you may need more blankets on hand just to help your little one sleep. Some babies love being swaddled, others protest loudly, and some change their minds daily (babies are nothing if not unpredictable). That’s exactly why having more than one swaddle on hand is helpful. 

Plus, you’ll use these blankets for much more than taking your newborn home from the hospital. Once your baby grows out of swaddling, you’ll still get plenty of use out of these blankets. They’re great for shading strollers, tummy time, as nursing covers, or as burp cloths. Having extras on hand makes a lot of sense, especially since babies can get pretty messy.

What Impacts How Many Swaddle Blankets You Need?

Ultimately, your lifestyle, baby, and other factors will determine how many swaddling blankets you need to get by.

Laundry Habits

If you do laundry daily, you can get by with fewer swaddles. But if laundry happens less frequently, you’ll want to have extra swaddles on hand. That gives you more wiggle room to have a few blankets in the hamper. 

Length of Swaddling

You’ll swaddle your baby for the first three to four months of their life. You can swaddle at night up to eight weeks old, after which it’s unsafe to swaddle while they sleep. If you see your baby experimenting with rolling over, stop all swaddling immediately because of the risk of suffocation. 

Because this phase is short but intense (especially in the newborn weeks), having multiple swaddles means you’re not scrambling when one’s in the wash. However, every baby is different, and if your little one wants to be swaddled right up to the four-month mark, you may need more swaddles.

Multiple Uses

The amazing thing about swaddling blankets is their versatility. They’re breathable and moisture-wicking, making them surprisingly useful for a lot of things. Many parents find that these blankets stay in their daily rotation even after they stop swaddling. The more you use them—for stroller shade, tummy time, light blankets, or as a changing surface—the more you’ll want backups. 

Climate

Where you live matters. Colder climates or winter babies may need more frequent use (and washing). You also may want some heavier blankets made from materials like flannel or cotton, which would increase the number of blankets you need. On the flipside, warmer environments often mean dressing your baby lighter layers and breathable fabrics, like muslin. Either way, having a few clean, ready-to-go swaddles makes it much easier to adapt to temperature changes. 

How Swaddle Blankets Can Be Used Beyond Sleep

Swaddle blankets are a sleep essential for newborns, but they can do much more than that. This is exactly why many parents end up needing more than they originally planned. You can also use these blankets for:

• Burping: Swaddles offer far more coverage than a standard burp cloth, so they’re ideal if your baby spits up a lot. Drape one over your shoulder or across your lap to protect clothes, furniture, and anything else in the splash zone.

• Emergency cleaning: Diaper blowouts and surprise messes happen in the blink of an eye. Don’t think twice about reaching for a nearby blanket to handle quick cleanups. Plus, these washable blankets are much more eco-friendly than single-use paper products. 

• Changing pad covers: Having a dedicated changing pad cover is great, but swaddle blankets are just as comfortable. Whether you’re changing your baby at home or in the backseat of your car, a swaddle keeps your little one comfortable for diaper changes on the go. 

• Tummy time: Spread a swaddle blanket on the floor for a soft, comfortable spot for tummy time. It’s lightweight, easy to move from room to room, and gentle on sensitive newborn skin.

• Nursing cover: Breathable muslin swaddles work well as a light nursing cover or as extra protection during feeds. 

• Covering car seats and strollers: Swaddles are thin enough to protect your little one from the elements without trapping heat.

These are just some of the many ways high-quality swaddle blankets make parenting easier. Even after the baby stage, you can continue to use these blankets for everything from washing your car to dusting. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Need a Lot of Swaddle Blankets?

Not a lot, but probably more than you expect. In most cases, six to eight swaddles are enough. That gives you enough backup blankets to clean up unexpected messes or to get by for a few days without doing laundry. Swaddles are also useful as nursing covers and tummy time blankets, so having more on hand is better than having too few.

Do I Need Separate Swaddles for Day and Night?

It isn’t necessary, but it depends on your location and preferences. Some parents use the same swaddles for day and night. Others might prefer a lighter swaddle for daytime naps and a thicker, cozier option for nighttime, especially in winter. More than anything, consistency and fabric choice matter. Babies respond best to what feels familiar, so rotating the same trusted swaddles often works just as well as dividing them up.

Well-Chosen Swaddles Provide Comfort Beyond the Newborn Stage

Swaddle blankets are a surprisingly versatile tool not just for the newborn stage, but for every development milestone. Ultimately, the ideal number of swaddle blankets depends on a few factors, including your location, laundry habits, and how long you swaddle. Having extras on hand will keep both you and your baby clean and comfortable, so err on the side of having extras on standby.

If you’re choosing swaddles that are soft, breathable, and made to last, they’ll grow with your baby and stay useful well beyond the newborn months. Explore Loulou Lollipop’s thoughtfully designed muslin swaddles, which are made for everyday use and all the little surprises in between.