In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Ergobaby Swaddler Review

Budget-friendly swaddle with a hip-healthy design, but not as simple to use and the Velcro is loud
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Ergobaby Swaddler Review (The Ergobaby Swaddler is a favorite for proper hip placement.)
The Ergobaby Swaddler is a favorite for proper hip placement.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $25 List
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Manufacturer:   Ergobaby
By Abriah Wofford ⋅ Senior Research Analyst  ⋅  Nov 18, 2021
72
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#4 of 11
  • Baby Comfort - 40% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 40% 7.0
  • Durability - 20% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Ergobaby Swaddler is a hybrid swaddle with velcro closures and a design that pays special attention to hip and leg placement. With a high-quality feel and low price tag, this is one of our favorite swaddles for parents on a budget. The fabric is durable and wears well after heavy use so that it is ready to be passed on to younger siblings. Although hit has a slightly more involved wrapping process, it is easy to master and nearly impossible to do wrong. Overall, the Swaddler is a user-friendly product, one of our favorite swaddles we tested, and the low price tag is a welcome perk. Our article on the best baby swaddles will show you how it fares versus competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Secure wrap
Soft material
Hip friendly
REASONS TO AVOID
Loud Velcro closure
More steps to swaddle

Compare to Similar Products

 
ergobaby swaddler
This Product
Ergobaby Swaddler
Awards Best Value Award
Best for Baby's Hips
Editors' Choice Award
Best Newborn Swaddle
Best Value Award
Best Bang for the Buck Organic Option
  
Price $25 List$30 List
$29.95 at Amazon
$25 List
$16.17 at Amazon
$30 List
$29.99 at Amazon
$33 List
$32.95 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A hip friendly swaddle that is soft and durable, but somewhat complicated to use and the closure mechanism is loudA quality swaddle blanket that brings security to the table with a Velcro free design but there is lots of layers and wrapping requiredA cozy, affordable sleep sack made with organic cotton that tends to run big and could be too light for colder weatherA simple hybrid swaddle perfect for beginners, but the quality is not excellent and the Velcro closure could wake a babyUniquely shaped swaddle is good for arms up sleepers, but does not offer alternate positioning
Rating Categories Ergobaby Swaddler Miracle Blanket Burt's Bees Baby Be... HALO SleepSack Swaddle Love to Dream Swadd...
Baby Comfort (40%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Ease of Use (40%)
7.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Durability (20%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
4.0
3.0
Specs Ergobaby Swaddler Miracle Blanket Burt's Bees Baby Be... HALO SleepSack Swaddle Love to Dream Swadd...
Style Velcro Swaddle Swaddle Wrap Sleep Sack Zippered Transition Swaddle with Velcro Zippered Swaddle
Material Cotton Cotton GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Cotton Cotton and Elastane
Zipper Direction NA NA Reverse Reverse Two-way
TOG rating 0.5 Not Listed 0.5 1.5 1.0
Age Range 0-3 Months 0-14 Weeks 0-18 Months 0-6 Months 5-18.5 Lbs.
Available Sizes One Size One Size Small, Medium, Large Preemie, Newborn, Small Newborn, Small, Medium
Washing Instructions Machine wash, tumble dry low Machine wash cold, tumble dry low Machine wash cold and tumble dry on low Machine wash with like colors. Close fastener strips before washing Cold wash cycle, use garment bag. Do not tumble dry or line dry in direct sunlight.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Ergobaby was started in 2002 by Karin Frost, a mom who wanted to keep her baby close while on the go but was unsatisfied with the carrying options available at the time. With a product born out of this necessity, Karin launched the first Ergobaby Baby Carrier. Since then, the company has expanded to include several different carriers in their lineup and now offers swaddles and nursing pillows. The common theme in all their products is a design that focuses on comfort and ergonomics for parents and children.

Performance Comparison



ergobaby swaddler - the ergobaby swaddler keeps babies snug and cozy while maintaining a...
The Ergobaby Swaddler keeps babies snug and cozy while maintaining a safe sleep space in the crib.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Likes


The Ergobaby Swaddler offers a unique take on a hybrid swaddle. The upper portion has three flaps that wrap around the body from different directions and stay secure with velcro closures. An elastic pouch that fits loosely around the legs follows, and your swaddle is complete. Arm pockets in the upper flaps contribute to the escape-proof design and wrap your baby's hands across their abdomen in a tiny hug when the swaddle is closed. A crotch strap prevents the fabric from riding up near your infant's face and acts as a healthy hip positioner.

ergobaby swaddler - all fabric on the ergobaby swaddler stayed clear of our testers face...
All fabric on the Ergobaby Swaddler stayed clear of our testers face during use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

One of the best parts about this product is that there is absolutely no leg/hip restriction while the baby is wearing it. The Swaddler is acknowledged as a “hip-healthy” product by International Hip Dysplasia Institute. The foolproof wrapping method allows you to get a sufficiently tight wrap around the abdomen but eliminates the possibility of swaddling your baby too tightly around the hips.

Another perk of the elastic leg pocket is that you can easily remove it without completely unswaddling your infant. This feature comes in handy for nighttime diaper changes or if you are worried about baby overheating. You can remove their legs from the bottom part of the swaddle without disturbing the secure wrap of the abdomen.

ergobaby swaddler - the 100% cotton fabric on the ergobaby swaddler is super soft and...
The 100% cotton fabric on the Ergobaby Swaddler is super soft and comes in a variety of cute prints.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Ergobaby Swaddler uses 100% cotton fabric with a slight stretch and is soft to the touch. All velcro parts are far from the baby's face, and there are no zippers to contend with. The fabric and construction of this swaddle stand up well to machine washing and drying. We greatly appreciate the simple washing instructions because what sleep-deprived mom needs any more on their plate?

ergobaby swaddler - if you feel that baby may be too warm, you can easily remove a layer...
If you feel that baby may be too warm, you can easily remove a layer by slipping their lower body out of the leg sack.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Dislikes


We like that you can change the baby's diaper without completely undoing the swaddle. However, the velcro attachment points on the crotch fabric make a loud scratching noise when you pull it open, which may wake the baby even though they are still swaddled. We find this somewhat annoying and self-defeating.

The Ergobaby Swaddler claims to be a one-size-fits-all product, and it fits our 2-month-old tester perfectly. However, you can only use it from 0-3 months or until your baby begins to roll over on their own. Three months is an average usage span compared to other swaddles in our review, but the quality of the sleepwear means that you can keep it for your next child or pass it on to a friend or family member for their newborn.

ergobaby swaddler - the ergobaby swaddler has more steps than some other options we...
The Ergobaby Swaddler has more steps than some other options we tested, but it is easy to master.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

If you are looking for a zip-and-go product that takes minimal effort, the Ergobaby may not be for you. The wrapping process involves more steps than some other products we tested, mainly due to the hip positioning flap of fabric between the legs that no other swaddle has. But we find the process intuitive, resulting in a snug fit and healthy leg positioning every time.

ergobaby swaddler - the crotch strap helps keep the swaddle positioned correctly, but if...
The crotch strap helps keep the swaddle positioned correctly, but if you need to do any midnight diaper changes, the loud velcro patch may wake the baby.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Conclusion


The Swaddler is a unique take on a classic hybrid swaddle. It may not be as simple as other products, but it is one of the most foolproof designs in terms of healthy hip placement, and we love that it is one of the more affordable options out there without sacrificing quality. If you struggle to get a secure wrap with other swaddles and good ergonomics are essential to you, the Ergobaby Swaddler may be the perfect option for you.

Manufacturer Video



Abriah Wofford
 

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