The Omni Swaddle Sack by SwaddleDesigns is the most versatile swaddle on the market. The Omni Swaddle Sack is the only swaddle with arms up half-length sleeves and fold over mitten cuff that supports 6+ hand and arm positions. The 2-way zipper combined with the specially-shaped sleeves and the ergonomic, narrow wrap panel makes the Omni Swaddle Sack easy to use. The Omni Swaddle Sack is trusted and used by hospitals, baby care specialists, sleep specialists and newborn educators, because the Omni helps baby sleep longer, better and safer. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) has recognized the Omni Swaddle Sack design as Hip Healthy.

The SwaddleDesigns Omni Swaddle Sack offers unmatched versatility as baby grows and develops because the patented arms up sleeves with fold over mitten cuffs support multitude of hand and arm positions. As babies grow and their preferences change during the first twelve weeks of life, the Omni Swaddle Sack allows the caregiver choices of how they swaddle. For example, many newborns enjoy and sleep better when snugly wrapped in a full swaddle with arms snugged in under the wrap as they transition from womb to world, and then, as baby grows, baby may want to sleep with one or both arms up by their head or to suck on a hand. Then, eventually, when baby shows signs of getting ready to roll over, the Omni may be used with both arms out from under the swaddle and the wrap secured over baby’s chest and tummy. It is important to note that when baby is familiar with their sleep garment, the Omni Swaddle Sack, this familiarity makes it easier for baby to transition from swaddling.

We recommend swaddling a newborn with arms on chest and secured under the wrap with one hand within reach of mouth, because this is a natural, gentle, supportive position for newborns.

You can try swaddling with one arm out of the swaddle or both arms under the wrap with one hand within reach of mouth, and observe your baby to determine which approach your baby prefers. Younger babies or babies with stronger Moro reflex may benefit from having their arm under the wrap and hand within reach of mouth with cuff open so they can self-soothe by sucking on their hand. When using the Omni Swaddle Sack with an arm outside the wrap, the uniquely-shaped arms up half-length sleeves will provide partial suppression of the Moro reflex, so baby will sleep better.

It’s really about finding what works best for your baby. The Omni gives parents and caregivers the option to safely swaddle in a multitude of ways. Many babies get a lot of comfort from sucking on their hands and are more content when allowed to suck on their hands. Some parents are very concerned about facial scratches and prefer to keep their baby’s hands covered, so they choose to keep the Omni Swaddle Sack’s mitten cuffs closed while allowing baby to have access to their hands.

For best fit and best effectiveness use baby’s weight and do not size up.

We recommend closing both cuffs prior to placing baby in the sack, so arms are in a flexed position and close to baby’s body when swaddling. This makes it easier to contain and manage baby’s extra arm movements when bringing the first side of the wrap over baby’s first arm and tucking under baby and then bringing the second wing of the wrap over and securing it. You will quickly learn what works best for your baby. Many babies get a lot of comfort from sucking on their hands and are more content when allowed to suck on their hands so you may find opening one cuff and placing baby’s hand near their face is the best option for your baby. Some parents are very concerned about facial scratches and prefer to keep their baby’s hands covered, so they choose to keep the Omni Swaddle’s mitten cuffs closed while allowing baby to have access to their hands.

Leading medical experts and infant researches agree that it is important for babies to have access to their hands for many reasons. First, hand to mouth is a natural reflex of the newborn. The normal infant has been observed post-delivery to get their hands to their face within 30 minutes. Infants are equipped with the hand-to-mouth reflex also known as the Babkin reflex and this reflex is often linked to the rooting reflex. Many babies suck their thumbs or fingers in utero before birth.

Second, babies can self-comfort by sucking. Sucking is the most organizing behavior of the newborn. It helps with sleep/wake control. Sucking enhances the maturity of the baby including hand movements and gastrointestinal function.

And third, sucking on hands provides early communication. When baby sucks vigorously or roots on their hand it is a sign that baby is hungry, and parents can respond with feeding. Crying is a late sign of hunger. When parents respond to baby’s rooting with a feeding, their response helps to establish trust.

Infant researchers state it’s in baby’s best interest to have the baby’s hands accessible to face, however it is your decision as a parent to choose how to swaddle your newborn and see what works best for you and your baby.

The Omni Swaddle’s innovative 2- way zipper means that there is a zipper pull at the neck of the sack and a second pull at the foot. Our 2-way zipper is easier to use than an inverted zipper with one pull, because the user can simply unzip from the neck and place baby in the sack. There is no fumbling around trying to connect the zipper under baby’s tiny neck like there is with an inverted one pull zipper. And, when it is time for a diaper change, the user can simply unzip from the foot of the sack to access the diaper without unswaddling baby’s arms or fully undressing baby or exposing baby’s chest to the cold night air which can fully wake baby and make it harder or take longer to get baby back to sleep.

For best fit and best effectiveness use baby’s weight and do not size up.

Yes, because in warmer months you may use just a diaper underneath. In cooler environments a short sleeve bodysuit may be used underneath, and in colder months you can add cotton pajamas and socks underneath. Do not use thick polyester pajamas underneath. Cotton is best next to baby’s delicate skin.

Its okay if your baby wants one or both arms out from under the wrap. The Omni Swaddle Sack will accommodate a multitude of arm positions. For younger babies, with a strong Moro reflex, who want their arms out from under the wrap, we recommend closing both mitten cuffs, allowing baby to have their arms up and out from under the wrap and securing the wrap snugly over their chest and tummy. The half-length sleeves with mitten cuffs closed provide partial suppression of the Moro reflex, so baby sleeps better due to fewer full awakenings. For babies who wish to suck on their hand you may open one cuff. For older babies whose Moro reflex has faded, you may swaddle with both arms up and out from under the wrap, secure the wrap snugly over their chest and tummy, and open both cuffs. When both cuffs are open, the sleeves become half-length and there is no suppression of the Moro reflex.

Yes, the Omni Swaddle is a good option for babies who like to sleep with arms up. For younger babies, with a strong Moro reflex, who like to sleep with their arms up by their head, we recommend closing both mitten cuffs, allowing baby to have their arms up and out from under the wrap and securing the wrap snugly over their chest and tummy. The half-length sleeves with mitten cuffs closed provide partial suppression of the Moro reflex, so baby sleeps better due to fewer full awakenings. For babies who wish to suck on their hand you may open one cuff. For older babies whose Moro reflex has faded, you may swaddle with both arms up and out from under the wrap, secure the wrap snugly over their chest and tummy, and open both cuffs. When both cuffs are open, the sleeves become half-length and there is no suppression of the Moro reflex.

Yes, but only with the baby’s arms out from under the wrap and with the wrap secured over baby’s chest and tummy. For babies, with a strong Moro reflex who can roll over, we recommend closing both mitten cuffs with both their arms up and out from under the wrap and securing the wrap snugly over their chest and tummy. The half-length sleeves with mitten cuffs closed provide partial suppression (a softening) of the Moro reflex, so baby sleeps better due to fewer full awakenings. Baby may partially arouse due to the startle reflex and then fall back to sleep because they feel reassured by the surroundings of the sack, If baby rolls over the sleeves allow enough arm mobility for baby to push torso up and reposition head to get access to air so baby sleeps safer. For babies who wish to suck on their hand you may open one cuff. For older babies who can roll over whose Moro reflex has faded, swaddle with both arms up and out from under the wrap, secure the wrap snugly over their chest and tummy, and you may choose to open both cuffs. When both cuffs are open, the sleeves become half-length and there is no suppression of the Moro reflex. For older babies who still have a strong Moro reflex and have outgrown the Omni Swaddle Sack, we recommend the SwaddleDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack. It is available in larger sizes and has the half-length sleeves with mitten cuffs to provide partial suppression of the Moro startle reflex, but it does not have the wrap.

Many parents prefer the SwaddleDesigns Omni Swaddle Sack over the Love to Dream Swaddle Up due to the Omni’s versatility, price point, effectiveness, ease of using it through many stages in the first 12 weeks including being able to use it when baby is showing signs of starting to roll over. Parents highlight they prefer the Omni Swaddle Sack, if their baby likes to suck on their hands because the parent can open a cuff and baby can suck directly on their skin instead of sucking on the fabric.

The Happiest Baby Sleepea uses an outdated, arms-straight-down-by-sides style of swaddling. We do not recommend the arms down by sides because it is a more extreme body positioning that was used in the past by some when swaddling with a blanket to make it more difficult for baby to get out of the swaddle, and is used with the Sleepea to prevent baby’s hands coming through the neck opening, because it has no sleeves. The Omni Swaddle follows the recommendations of the infant researchers that unanimously agreed that baby should have hands within reach of mouth (see prior question about infant researchers). The Omni Swaddle also complies with the Orthopedic specialists’ recommendations who felt strongly about baby’s elbows should in a flexed position as well as hips and knees for proper joint development when baby is swaddled, and it complies with infant developmental specialists who felt strongly about supporting baby in a natural position with baby’s arms and legs in flexed positions and hands within reach of mouth.

In colder winter months parents can use a bodysuit and/or cotton pajamas and socks underneath. Do not use thick polyester pajamas underneath. Cotton is best next to baby’s delicate skin. It’s important to touch and feel baby’s neck or tummy to ensure baby is warm and dry which indicates thermal comfort. If baby feels sweaty remove a layer underneath. A good rule of thumb as recommended by the AAP is no more than one layer more than you would be comfortable in in the same environment.