Should infants sleep in swings

Most sleep-deprived parents will share that anything that might help their baby sleep more soundly is a tempting option. Baby swings are appealing for this reason, but is it safe for a baby to sleep in a swing or bouncer? James Hahn, a pediatrician at St. Elizabeth Physicians in Greendale, Indiana, shared that infants, especially newborns, do not have the muscular tone to keep their heads up and neck straight.

Infant swings can be helpful when a parent needs a few minutes to themselves or to help soothe a fussy baby, but safety precautions should be considered. Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Moon, R. American Academy of Pediatrics. Published December 23, Updated December 23, Colvin, J.

Han, A. Liaw, P. Infant Deaths in Sitting Devices. Korioth, T. Safe and sound: tips for using infant swings. AAP News. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

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I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. How Serious Is the Risk? But is this a good idea? Should you let your baby take naps in the swing? Convenience is important for parents, but the safety of our babies takes first priority. The American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines which advised parents to avoid using baby swings as sleep aids.

According to the AAP, sitting upright for long periods of time in a swing, for example, or in a carseat can make it hard for babies to breathe well, and that can lead to an increased risk of SIDS. Used properly, swings can be excellent tools for calming fussy babies and giving parents a bit of much-needed peace.

Not nursing, holding him, swaddling him, or anything. He was so fussy and crying a lot. The swing was a Godsend in those early weeks, but of course only temporary. Remember, our babies and toddlers are quick to form habits. The same holds true for naps in the swing. If your baby is struggling with naps and is past the 4 month mark, then you can try sleep training. For even more nap and schedule help, check out these members-only resources, found in our VIP Members Area:.

Not a VIP member? Not a problem! While our VIP Members Area is great for DIY parents who prefer to tackle sleep challenges on their own, we know that other parents much prefer to go straight to one-on-one help. Browse our list of consultation package options here.

Once you make your choice and purchase, you will immediately receive an e-mail with your Helpdesk login information. At this time, we are no longer accepting or answering blog comments. We would, of course, love to hear from you! For help with your specific sleep problems, please learn more about our DIY resources or our sleep consultation services. Or, consider emailing us for a fast and helpful response! The same goes for car seats. Of course, keep babies in car seats if they fall asleep while you're driving, but once you get home, take them out of the seats and put them in their cribs -- don't bring the car seat into the house and let the babies continue napping.

Staying in a sitting position might make it hard for your baby to breathe, plus it might contribute to a flat spot on the back of your baby's head and worsen reflux, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Your baby isn't going to turn into Einstein by watching a video, no matter what the label might imply. This week the American Academy of Pediatrics urged parents to keep children under age 2 as " screen-free " as possible. The pediatricians' group says videos are educational only when the child can understand the content and context and only those older than 2 have that ability. Lance Goodman, a pediatrician in Boca Raton, Florida. There's no question: Babies belong on their backs to go to sleep.