A question that bothers many new parents is, “Are baby swings safe for newborns?”
You might have seen them in stores or online and thought they could be an excellent way to soothe your baby and provide you some free time to do other stuff.
But are they good for your baby’s health and development?
Or are they a potential risk for injuries or accidents?
Can you let your baby sleep in the swing?
These are some of the questions that many new parents have when using baby swings for their little ones.
Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
In this blog post, we will answer these questions and give you tips on how to use baby swing in the right way so your little bundle of joy remains safe in the swing.
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Table of Contents
Are Baby Swings Safe for Newborns While Sleeping?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies should sleep on a flat surface like a crib or bassinet.
Babies should not sleep in sitting devices like baby swings or car seats because of their inclined angle.
Sleeping at this angle increases the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in babies.
A newborn’s neck muscles are not fully grown.
If a baby sleeps at a semi-vertical angle, the weight of his head can put pressure on his neck, leading to slumping over.
This slumping can cause suffocation in babies.
If your little one falls asleep in the swing, shift your child to a sleeping surface that is firm, safe and comfortable for the baby, like a crib or bassinet.
What’s the Seriousness of the Threat?
Many of you may think how risky it can be to keep a baby in a swing while sleeping.
Research by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) shows that baby devices specially made for sitting purposes take the lives of hundreds of babies every year while babies sleep in them.
Car Seats, Carriers, Swings, Bouncy Chairs, and Strollers are included in these sitting devices.
According to research, 11,779 babies died during sleep. Out of these fatalities, 348 deaths occurred in a sitting device.
From these 348 deaths mentioned above:
- 7 babies died in a stroller
- 122 babies died in bouncers and baby swings for newborns
- 219 babies died in car seats
What other hazards could baby swings lead to?
If baby swings are used carelessly, there are some other hazards that baby swings can cause:
Flat Head Syndrome
If babies spend a lot of time in a baby swing or any other movement-restricted gadget that doesn’t let them move much, their heads might get flat.
This happens because the baby’s soft head gets pressure on the same spot for a long time.
So, parents should limit the baby’s swing time even if the baby is enjoying his swing time.
Some parents also let their baby spend time in the swing for a long time because it gives parents some free time to relax, but using the swing for an extended period has consequences.
Injuries to Babies
Many baby swings have been recalled over the past years because of injuries to babies.
Some of these injuries cause brain damage to babies and even lead babies to death.
A big reason for such injuries was incorrect usage of the harness, which made the risk of strangulation higher, and babies might slip out from swings.
Another reason babies fall out of swings is if the swing is placed on a rough surface, which causes the swing to remain unbalanced.
So, ensure the baby swing is placed on a flat, non-slippery surface.
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Baby Swing Safety Guidelines:
The purpose of sharing all those facts and information wasn’t to frighten you.
After reading that, you might think infant swings are not safe for soothing a baby, but this isn’t the case.
Baby swings are helping a lot of parents by soothing their babies and giving them a sigh of relief.
Just use the baby swing for a short time while the baby is awakened and follow these baby swing safety guidelines to make the baby swing as secure as possible for the infant:
Swing Shouldn’t Fold Up Easily
You should ensure your baby swing doesn’t fold up easily and that the swing hasn’t been recalled.
Use this CPSC website to check whether your baby swing has been recalled or is safe.
Don’t Allow the Infant to Take a Nap in the Swing
Sleeping in a swing can be dangerous for a baby, even for a short duration.
If the baby falls asleep in the swing, move your little one to a flat, firm sleep surface.
Use Swing Straps for Safety
When the newborn is in the swing, ensure that all straps and harnesses are in use and properly positioned.
If a baby swing recline at an angle of more than 50 degrees, it must have shoulder straps to secure the infant firmly in place.
Most Reclined Position of Swing
Use the most reclined position of the swing, especially for babies under four months.
This posture will reduce the possibility of newborn babies falling forward and suffocating.
Read the Instructions and Check the Weight Limit
Read the manufacturer’s guidelines for using the swing and follow all the guidelines for the baby’s safety.
Especially check the weight limit for the swing, and don’t use the swing if the baby has more weight than the recommended weight limit.
Conclusion
We hope you get your answer to this question: “Are baby swings safe for newborns”?
And in case if someone is still looking for a short and to-the-point answer, he can read the conclusion below:
Baby swings by themselves don’t cause any risks.
The key is in how you utilize them.
Misusing them can be dangerous for the baby, but if you use them according to the manufacturer’s safety guidelines, they are safe to use and a great helping hand to make your baby happy.
The essential thing to consider is that you use your baby swings only to soothe the baby for a short time under someone’s supervision.
Don’t let babies sleep in the swing.
If they sleep in the swing, move them to a suitable sleeping surface where they can lie flat on their back.
Call your pediatrician if you have questions about safe sleep guidelines and clear your doubts.
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