It is adorable to watch a baby sleep in a swing, but you may wonder why experts recommend cribs for babies to sleep. A baby sleeping in a swing has an increased risk for positional asphyxiation, and many experts do not recommend it. It is better to transfer a baby from a swing to a crib as soon as they fall asleep. Some babies may love to fall asleep in the swing with swift movements. A firm flat surface with proper back support, such as a crib, is the preferred safe sleeping place for infants. Read on to learn why baby sleep in swings is unsafe, how to use swings safely, and what to do if your baby only prefers to sleep in swings.
Is It Safe For The Baby To Sleep In A Swing?
No, placing the baby in the swing for playtime is allowable, but letting the baby sleep or take a nap in the swing is unsafe. Here are the reasons why swings are inappropriate as sleeping places for babies.
How To Use A Baby Swing Safely?
Do not use swings for sleeping and napping, but use them only for playing once the baby starts sitting and holding up their head on their own, which is by the age of six months (7). Observing the following tips could help in the safe use of swing in babies.
How To Break The Baby’s Habit Of Sleeping In A Swing?
If you regularly place the baby for naps in a swing, chances are they could become habituated to it. Here are a few things you can try to break the baby’s habit of sleeping in a swing and make them sleep in a crib or bassinet instead.
Safe Alternatives To Swings
Below are some of the safe alternatives to a swing for babies (16).