I was dreading the day when I had to stop swaddling Elliot because he would only sleep well when he was swaddled. But the day came, way too quickly, when he could roll himself partially over and I began to look for a way to help him sleep without being swaddled. Being the “Google Mom” I researched and read reviews (dozens!) before buying a couple of transition swaddles to try, but they did not work. Then the idea to try the Transitional Swaddle Sack from SwaddleDesigns appeared in my inbox as if Someone had been listening to my needs. A couple of weeks later we received it in the mail in exchange for this review. This cozy, lightweight fabric (mine has a polka dot pattern), a sturdy, 2-way zipper, arms up, 3⁄4 length sleeves with fold over mitten cuffs is valued at $22 plus shipping.

We received the 3-6 month, 14-21 pound transitional sleep sack, or the “medium” because Elliot was 4 months old at the time. The transitional swaddle sack is intended to be a great transition from a full, cozy swaddle to an open, wearable blanket, the “spork” of swaddling. Its design is supposed to allow your littles to have the use of their arms as well as to aid in helping them learn to self soothe by sucking on their hands and fingers while keeping them snug and warm. The transitional swaddle sack helps littles feel secure by keeping them in a natural sleep position (arms up) while still allowing their legs and hips to move freely enough to flex and stretch. The snug midsection of the sack is designed to provide similar snugness and support to a swaddle and thus to help comfort and calm your little one.

I do not know whether it was the Lord or this swaddle, but I am going to give them both credit! The Transitional Swaddle Sack has been in use for almost a month in our home and is now making me so happy for the comfort that it is bringing Elliot as well as bringing me peace for his safety while sleeping which means I get a little more sleep and makes me a more tolerable human being.

But mamas, take your time with this. For the first 3 nights we used the sack, I had to sit hunched over Elliot’s bassinet, losing feeling in my left leg, half-crazed by the itch on my nose, arms laid out across Elliot’s body and arms as he slowly fell asleep with the help of the warmth and weight of my arms, but then he was asleep! Elliot loves to have his hands on his head or by his face. He was still able to sleep soundly, but with his hands where he loves to have them.

I really love the fabric of this sack. All the fabrics and patterns of the different sacks are light in color, or mostly white, but they are machine washable. Even after what seems like 75 times of washing, my sack is still soft and has not become stiff or hard. We ‘dream feed’ during the night which can get a little messy. Even after a night or more of getting ‘leaked’ on, everything still washes right out and has only just begun to become discolored.

From a mom of a highly active, hands-by-his-head-lover baby, I would highly recommend the Transitional Swaddle Sack from SwaddleDesigns. After trying a couple of sleep sacks that claimed to be “transitional,” this one is by far the only one that earns the honest title of being transitional. I am looking forward to several months of comfortable sleep for Elliot and worry-free sleep for me!

Product review by Abby Wuehler, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October 2019