Swings can be a lifesaver for busy parents who need to keep their babies busy and occupied while they cook dinner or tend to other children. Many young babies nod off a few minutes after their parents put them in the swings---probably due to the rhythmic rocking motion of the swing. Although some parenting experts advocate allowing babies to sleep in swings, others caution that over-use can interfere with your baby's development and create bad sleep habits.
Yes
Pediatrician Harvey Karp, author of "The Happiest Baby on the Block," encourages parents to allow newborn babies to sleep in a swing as part of his "5 S" approach to calming and comforting fussy babies. According to Karp, the motion of the swing can help replicate a baby's environment in utero. Karp maintains that swinging as an infant does not create bad habits and that less than 5 percent of babies become addicted to the swing as a sleep aid.
No
Heidi Murkoff, the author of "What to Expect the First Year," urges parents to restrict swing use to 30-minute intervals, twice a day. She expresses concern that spending too much time in the swing can cut into the time your baby needs to spend working on motor skills, such as crawling, sitting and pulling up. She advises moving your baby to his crib at the first sign of sleepiness--before he falls asleep--so he learns to fall asleep without motion.
Considerations
The type of swing you buy can affect whether you want to encourage your child to sleep there on a regular basis. Cradle swings recline completely, which can make them a comfortable and secure sleeping spot for newborns. Although these can be a good fit for the first few months, ConsumerReports.org suggests moving your baby to an upright model when your baby can push up on his hands and knees.
Prevention/Solution
Following some basic safety tips can keep your baby safe while she is in her swing--whether she sleeps there or not. Always buckle your infant into the swing--even if you put her in a cradle swing to sleep. Stop using the swing when your baby reaches the manufacturer's weight limit for your model. Position the swing away from objects your baby can grab--drapery cords, curtains, floor lamps--and away from hot stoves and electrical outlets.
Warning
Karp advises checking with your doctor before using an upright swing for sleep with infants less than four weeks old or those born prematurely or with a condition called hypotonia, which causes low muscle tone. He cautions that these conditions can cause your baby to experience breathing difficulties if her head falls forward while she sleeps.
References
- "What to Expect the First Year"; Heidi Murkoff; 2003
- "The Happiest Baby on the Block"; Harvey Karp; 2003
- ConsumerReports.org: Baby swings
- AskDrSears.com: Fussy Baby Index
- Parents: The Best Baby Sleep Tips Ever
