The growing popularity of weighted blankets as a method of sleep therapy for older children and adults has also sparked interest in using lightly weighted swaddling products for infants.
But can this kind of product ever truly be safe for infants?
Is Nested Bean safe for newborns? Pediatricians discourage parents from using weighted swaddles in general due to the risk of suffocation if they flip onto their bellies and can’t return to their backs. Nested Bean is said to be safe before the rolling stage when used as instructed in accordance with AAP guidelines.
The trust of over 1 million parents in Nested Bean’s products may sound hard to ignore, but as with any product claiming to help your baby, speak to your pediatrician to get a professional opinion on the safety and necessity of a specialized weighted sleep aid.
We’ve looked into all you need to know about using the Nested Bean Swaddle, including its SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) risk, safety info, pros and cons, and much more.
How Nested Bean Swaddles Work
Nested Bean Swaddles are designed with a snug fit to replicate the familiar close and secure feeling of being in the womb.
In utero, babies have their limbs tucked closely beside them with little room to move around, so this is a very comforting position for them to be in.
Nested Bean Swaddles are also made with lightly weighted pads in the center of the material.
Nested Bean describes this as the Cuddle Effect™ inspired by scientific research on the phenomenon of Deep Touch Pressure (DPT), which is “when babies feel gentle pressure in the places you naturally hold them, replicating your touch for a sounder sleep.”
Are Nested Bean Sleep Swaddles Safe?
The consensus among many pediatric experts is that sleep swaddles are safe for very young infants before they are able to roll over (rolling can start as early as 2 months, but 4-6 months is most common) due to the risk of suffocation when they roll onto their stomachs.
Babies placed in sleep swaddles (of any kind) must always be placed on their backs and monitored at all times.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), sleep swaddles can be effective in aiding sleep, but current guidelines by pediatricians and SID researchers state that “parents must stop swaddling as soon as their baby shows signs of starting to roll over.”
Are Weighted Swaddles Safe for Babies?
Weighted swaddles, weighted blankets, and weighted sleepers are NOT considered to be safe for infants.
As of June 2022, the AAP has updated its safe sleep recommendations, urging parents and caregivers to persevere with other trusted methods of aiding their baby’s sleep as opposed to weighted swaddle technology.
Suggestions include avoiding overheating, avoiding bed-sharing, breastfeeding (if possible), using a pacifier, etc.
Does Nested Bean Cause SIDS?
Weighted Nested Bean swaddling products can put pressure on a baby’s chest and lungs and can increase the chances of overheating, depending on the room temperature and the TOG rating of the Nested Bean material.
Currently, there have been no deaths reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as a result of Nested Bean products, and studies have shown that reports of death in swaddled infants, in general, are rare.
However, this same study reiterates the importance of discontinuing swaddling material once babies attempt to roll and attaching the swaddle correctly, among other steps, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Is Nested Bean AAP Approved?
The AAP does not approve of weighted swaddles specifically, but according to a statement on the Nested Bean website “[our] products have been designed according to the AAP’s Guidelines for safe sleep.”
Nested Bean has also worked with safety laboratories accredited with the CPSC in designing their products.
Is Nested Bean Safe for Rolling?
Nested Bean states that their sleep sack range is perfectly safe for babies who can roll over, and that the weight can be worn backward for tummy sleepers.
The swaddles should not be used once babies show signs of learning to roll over.
What if Baby Rolls Over in Nested Bean?
The Nested Bean company explains that the weight within Nested Bean Zen sleep sacks and PJ products is “light and flexible, so it will nearly flatten underneath your baby’s body.”
All babies are different though, so please check with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about using this product.
Nested Bean Swaddle Age Range
Nested Bean products come in Small, Medium, and Large sizes that are intended for infants aged 0-6 months, 6-15 months, and 15-24 months respectively.
The use of the swaddles should be discontinued once your baby shows signs of rolling over.
Nested Bean Swaddle Options
Each of the most popular Nested Bean Swaddle products comes with different fastenings, materials, and wrapping styles. Let’s look at the uses and safety info for each:
Nested Bean Zen Swaddle Classic
This wraps around like a traditional swaddling blanket with swaddle wings that wrap around the torso, a bottom flap for the feet, and a light weight placed near the chest.
The top edge of the swaddle wing should be at chest level, never above the neck or covering the mouth or nose.
Check the price on Amazon, here.
Nested Bean Zen Neo
The Zen Neo has a pod-like design to mimic the womb. This features a weighted pad across the chest and features a two-way zipper along the front panel to make removal easier.
Baby’s arms must be by their sides before zipping up the swaddle, and the neckline should fall at the base of the neck to prevent the material from riding up as they move.
Check the price on Amazon, here.
Nested Bean Zen One
Zen One is a swaddle that claims to adapt to all sleep styles “from birth to rolling over.” It features a weighted pad and works as a sleep sack with removable arm sections to grow with your baby.
The secure inner band can be used to position baby’s hands by their sides. Otherwise, secure the band around baby’s belly to prevent it from rising up.
Check the price on Amazon, here.
Nested Bean Swaddle Pros & Cons
As with any product, the Nested Bean swaddles have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- The weighted feel reportedly soothes babies and helps them sleep for longer.
- Adjustable fastenings help accommodate growth.
- The design makes it easy to securely and safely wrap your baby.
- It can help prevent baby from rolling onto his/her side.
- The Swaddle comes in different materials for comfortable sleep in summer and winter.
Cons:
- Not officially AAP approved.
- Some parents feel the swaddling fabric is a little too stretchy.
- It may be harder to swaddle very small preemie babies safely and securely enough.
- Some babies have been known to slip their arms out of the upper wrap portions, defeating the purpose of swaddling.
How To Use Nested Bean Swaddle
Follow the simple steps below, and in no time at all, you’ll be swaddling like a pro.
Step 1
Place the swaddle blanket with the wings open wide on a flat surface, and place baby in the center.
Babies less than 1-month-old or under 23 inches in height should use the inner leg pouch pocket for a more snug fit. Babies over 1 month or bigger than 23 inches should have legs placed over the inner pouch.
Step 2
Place the central weighted flap on the middle of baby’s chest, and fold the side weights of this central flap against their body and under their arms.
Step 3
Lastly, cover baby’s arms by pulling the left wing flap across baby’s body and tucking it under their back. Do the same with the right wing flap, and fasten this to the adhesive strip on the back panel.
Here’s a visual guide to help you out.
Nested Bean Swaddle Arms Out
According to What To Expect, some babies prefer to be swaddled with one or both arms out for comfort.
The Nested Bean Zen One product is great for this as the arm sections can be removed individually to transform it into a full or partial sleeper sack with greater room for free movement and thumb-sucking.
Here’s how to swaddle babies with their arms out using a simple blanket.
How Long Does It Take for Nested Beans To Work?
Christiana Alario at the Nested Bean site encourages parents to use the Nested Bean sack “for at least one full week before expecting significant results as baby will be adjusting to having their sleep routine disrupted.”
How Should the Nested Bean Fit?
The Nested Bean Swaddles should provide a snug fit around your baby’s chest and arms so that they can’t easily wriggle out, and the material should always sit at the base of their neck to prevent it from riding up and covering their mouth or nose.
The International Hip Dysplasia Institute recommends that swaddles fit loosely from the waist down to allow babies room to bend their legs.
Is Nested Bean Supposed To Be Tight?
The guidance suggests a snug (not tight or loose) fit. A very snug fit is intentional across the chest and arms to mimic a close, secure embrace.
What Does Baby Wear Under Nested Bean Swaddle?
A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby according to room temperature.
In very warm weather, dressing them in just a diaper beneath their Bean Swaddle can be appropriate, especially in lower TOG swaddles as these are made from bamboo and breathable cotton.
Otherwise, a long-sleeved onesie or footsie PJs should be sufficient under a swaddle.
As long as you’re able to keep the baby’s room to a temperature between 68 and 70°F and humidity between 30 and 60%, you shouldn’t need to overthink dressing your little one in their swaddle.
What TOG Is Nested Bean Swaddle?
The fabric of Nested Bean Swaddle products is designed with low TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) ratings to reduce overheating risks.
TOG rating refers to how well the garment retains heat, not the thickness of the fabric, so keep this in mind when choosing the best Swaddle product for your little one according to local climate, humidity, etc.
| Swaddle product | Fabric composition | TOG rating |
| Nested Bean Zen Swaddle Classic | 100% cotton | 1.5 |
| Nested Bean Zen Neo | 95% cotton, 5% spandex | 1.0 |
| Nested Bean Zen One | 95% cotton, 5% spandex | 1.0 |
| Zen Sack Classic | 100% cotton | 0.5 |
| Zen Swaddle Premier | 70% bamboo, 30% cotton | 1.0 |
| Zen Sack Premier | 70% bamboo, 30% cotton | 0.3 |
| Zen Sack Winter | 100% cotton, poly-fil | 2.5 |
Can You Wash Nested Bean Swaddle?
Yes, all Nested Bean swaddle products can be washed frequently.
The company website recommends that all Zen Sleepwear should be washed on a cold, gentle cycle and tumble dried on a low-heat setting to protect the quality of the fabric.
How To Wash Nested Bean Swaddle
1. Before washing, make sure the buttons are clasped together to ensure they won’t become caught on other materials and turn the Swaddle sack inside out so any fastenings, Velcro, etc. are on the inside.
2. Ideally, try to wash Swaddles in a front-loading machine as these tend to be gentler on clothes, and set to wash on a cold and gentle cycle with mild laundry detergent.
3. Lastly, gently tumble dry on a low-heat setting.
Closing Thoughts
Many parents swear by Nested Bean Swaddle products to get their little ones to sleep as the weighted pads mimic a parent’s comforting touch.
On the other hand, experts worry the swaddle could trap babies on their bellies once they roll over, leaving them in a sleep position commonly linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The official statement by Nested Bean is that their Swaddle products should only be used when infants are placed on their backs and not with preemie babies (less than 6.5 pounds) who may be too small for the wrap to fit securely.
I started using the Nested Beans with my twins at about 10 weeks after they outgrew their Happiest Baby swaddles (another product I love!). I felt like the transition from one to the next worked really well and would totally recommend it and do it again.
I hope you found all this information helpful!
Mom of three (including identical twin boys), wife, and owner of Parents Wonder. This is my place to share my journey as a mother and the helpful insights I learn along the way.