Size of Swaddle Blankets & How to Make DIY Swaddles

Does your newborn have trouble sleeping soundly? Maybe they fuss at night or just need a little comfort. That’s where swaddling can help to remedy the situation.

However, there’s always a little confusion when it comes to the size of swaddle blankets you will need for your baby.

Ideally, it helps to have one that is at least 40 x 40 inches. For larger babies, please use a 44 x 44 inch blanket. And remember, the size differs for different babies, and you need to account for their growth spurts too.
While you get ready-made blankets available in various sizes, it’s also useful (and kind of fun) to make your own at home in the size you need.

So, in this post I’ll discuss swaddle blanket sizes, go through the different sizes available in ready-made blankets, and I’ll also show you a step-by-step guide on how to make swaddle blankets at home.

size-of-swaddle-blankets-how-to-make-diy-swaddles

Why Swaddle Sizes Matter

Dear parents, it’s important to swaddle your baby correctly and use the right swaddle size to do that. Both those things are absolutely necessary to make sure your baby is snug and safe.

When the swaddle blanket is too large, it can come apart as your baby moves around! This can increase the risk of suffocation or even SIDS.
And a swaddle blanket that is too small can restrict your baby’s movements and make you swaddle too tight. I also have a post on signs you swaddle too tight and how you can test for a snug fit.

cute-newborn-baby-sleeping-while-swaddled

P.S. New parents—there is a difference between receiving blankets and swaddling blankets.
You may have noticed that nurses at the hospital usually provide a 30 x 40 inch blanket made of flannel or cotton. Those are called receiving blankets, which are more multipurpose than swaddle blankets.
Know more about the differences between receiving and swaddling blankets here.

Ready-Made Swaddle Blankets

The swaddle blankets you see in stores come in different sizes to accommodate various newborn ages and weights, too. Usually, they range from 40 x 40 inches to 47 x 47 inches and go even larger.

Pros
Cons

Hassle-Free Learning: If you do not know about traditional swaddling techniques, there are ready-made blankets with easy-wrap variations that can help you out.
Variety: Today, plenty of store-bought swaddle blankets also have designs with easy-to-use Velcro closures, snaps, or zippers, for a stress-free fit.
Adjustable: You can find options that grow with your baby, making them useful for longer.

Size Limitations: Newborns have growth spurts and cross different stages of development quickly. So, you may have to replace them frequently if that happens.

Before You Buy Ready-Made Swaddle Blankets…

one-month-old-baby-girl-swaddled-in-a-peach-blanket

Check Manufacturer’s Notes: Many brands have different weight and size recommendations for their swaddle blankets. So, please go through the instructions before you make a purchase.
Keep Track of Your Baby’s Growth: If the swaddle feels too tight or doesn’t cover your baby well, take it as a sign to size up and do so as early as you can.
Look for Adjustability: You can find swaddles that allow arms-up fits, have Velcro closures, and customizable fits to continue using the blanket as your baby grows.

How to Make Swaddle Blankets at Home: 5–Step Guide

While I don’t find much time to sew these days except to make some occasional repairs, I did make some swaddle blankets when I was first pregnant (I still have those blankets with me). So, here’s how I do it:

What You Will Need

Lightweight, breathable cloth (cotton, muslin, or flannel)
Measuring tape
Fabric scissors
Sewing machine or just a needle and thread
Pins or clips
Thread matching the color of the cloth

To make this blanket, you will also need to know the basics of doing a straight stitch and a back stitch.

mother-and-swaddled-newborn-baby-at-the-hospital

Before you cut the cloth or begin sewing, it’s best if you wash and dry the cloth you want as a swaddle blanket.

Once your swaddle cloth is dry, iron out all the creases and keep it ready for the next step.
By ensuring that your cloth is pre-shrunk and wrinkle-free, you get a true size when you cut the fabric, and you will not have to deal with excessive shrinkage later.

Get the ruler out and use neat fabric scissors to cut the cloth to a suitable size (but maintain the perfect square). Suitable size for newborns—40 x 40 inch. For larger babies—44 x 44 inches or more.

I’d recommend that you keep these measurements as the base size and go larger from here if you need to.
Do not cut the cloth any smaller than 40 x 40 inches because it may not fit your baby well and the restriction might even make you swaddle too tight.
Also, you can iron the cloth again if the cutting process introduces more creases.

Alright, so now we will prepare to hem the edges. We’ll first fold and iron the edges before we begin sewing.

Mark and fold the edges of the cloth to about ¼ of an inch. Make sure you identify the front and the back of the cloth correctly if you have a patterned swaddle cloth.
Iron the edges to make sure they are even and neat. Next, fold over the same section to make what’s called a double-fold hem. Clip it in place for now.

Now, we bring in the star—the sewing machine or your trusty thread and needle.

Use the straight stitch technique to sew along the folded edges. Keep the stitch close to the inner fold as possible so that the cloth does not peek out at any section.
Next, it’s back stitch time. This is an optional step but, please know that it helps to add strength to the seam. Do a back stitch at the start and end of each side to complete the swaddle blanket.

Feeling adventurous? Try more decorative stitching patterns along the hem. And if you are new to stitching, try to practice on some scrap cloth before you make your swaddle blanket.

Well done, you! You’ve made your own swaddle blanket.

Now, all that’s left is to trim any loose or hanging threads and give it a good tousle to shake away all the scrap bits and pieces from your swaddle blanket.

Benefits of DIY Swaddle Blankets

Unleash Your Creative Talents: Go full out for the swaddle blanket and choose colors and patterns you love, or choose to match your nursery’s theme.
Cut Down Multiple Purchases: Since babies can outgrow swaddle blankets, you’ll have to purchase multiple blankets that cater to their needs. But if you supplement the store-bought ones with a few homemade swaddles, you can set aside more for other baby expenses.
You Choose the Size: While there are recommended minimum sizes, you can go larger and make swaddles that can accommodate your baby’s growth.

Kelleigh’s Tip:
I maintained a mix of homemade and store-bought baby swaddles in my household.
I made sure that my DIY swaddles were more suited for a newborn (40 x 40 inch sizes) and I bought the adjustable types from the store to accommodate my baby’s growing needs (even if my children didn’t really use the swaddle much).

Please ensure you maintain your swaddle blankets well, and you can read my blog on how many swaddle blankets you need to find a detailed wash guide as well.

Final Thoughts on Size of Swaddle Blankets

I hope I was able to provide a better understanding of swaddle sizes and the types you will need. Just to summarize—the recommended size is 40 x 40 inch swaddles for newborns. But, older babies may need ones that are 44 x 44 inches or even larger, depending on your baby’s height and weight.

You can also make your own swaddle blankets at home! If you love to sew or want to learn, you can try your hand at making colorful swaddles with my step-by-step guide.

Also, it helps to understand how to transition out of swaddles because eventually, your baby will begin to rollover and cannot use the swaddle anymore. So, keep enough to last you through those milestones and focus on consistent bedtime routines for sound sleep.