Swing Sleeping

Hi E.,
If he's sleeping great in his crib at night, then that's wonderful and do whatever you need to for him to nap during the day. If you need to walk him to sleep or put him in the swing, and it gets you a nap from him, then don't worry about it, do what you have to. My first only took mini-naps during the day for the first couple of months too, so if the swing gets you more naptime, go for it :)

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Napping in a swing will not hurt your baby. My oldest child loved to sleep in the swing and I asked the peditrcian and she said that it will do no harm at all. Babies let us know when they are uncomfortable, but it does not hurt the spine or neck as was my concern, all is well.

As baby growns he or she will not want to be swaddled and held as much. Try not to worry, play it by ear. It would not hurt to put baby down to sleep, he or she may cry a little at first but they quickly learn to sooth themselves and sleep. I would do this.

Good luck!

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Our 2nd son was just the same. At about 5 months we switched him over to the swing, and he did fine. I was afraid to rely on the swing, but for us it all gelled -- and it got me through those first months, which were SO hard with a 3 year old to care for as well. But now, with him 11 months old, he naps well (in the crib) and it is such a joy for the boys to learn from each other and play more or less together.

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I always believe you have to do what works in those first months. My son napped in his swing a lot, and even slept in there at night sometimes. He did gradually start to sleep better in a bed. And there was no problem weaning him off of it--around four months, he suddenly didn't want to be in the swing at all. Good luck and congrats--I'm going to be in your position any day now (I have a two year old and am 9 months pregnant with baby #2--my swing is set up and ready to go!)

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It sounds like the swing is a real blessing during the day, so I would just continue to use it. Why question a good thing, just go with it. Nothing wrong with him wanting to sleep upright as well as being nice and snug in his swing. I know you are thankful that he is sleeping so well in his crib at night too. God bless!
D. N.

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Do whatever works for your baby and your lifestyle. Don't worry about creating bad habits. That creates more stress in your life and you are already busy as it is. He will grow out of it. He is still very little and misses the womb. A fan or other white noise can help. My son didn't sleep in his crib at all until 4 1/2 months. Now he loves it. Naps can be rough the first year.

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My daughter slept in her swing always during the day as a new born till now, she is 7 months and 1 week. i asked the doctor if it was ok because she wouldnt sleep in her crib and he said its fine they are used to moving like in the womb. I also have a 2 1/2 year old who is noisey but in her swing she sleeps right through.The doctor said what ever works is fine. They now sleep at the same time one in the swing and the other in his bed.
D. 43 mom of 2

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My daughter only napped in her swing until she was 6 months old. I tried when she was about 5 to sleep train her in her crib but it didn't work so i tried again at 6 months(when it is recommended to sleep train) and it worked. She was also swaddled up until she was about 5 months old. For now, I would just let him happily sleep in his swing. Some babies won't nap at all!! Good luck!!

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My youngest daughter lived in her swing for a good part of the first few months of her life & she is now 5 yrs old & fine. She lived to do all of the other normal things children do & I would kiss the founder of the swing if I had a chance to! My oldest daughter was a nightmare as far as a baby goes. She was didn't sleep thru the night until she was over 9 months old then we went through a whole lot w/her medically. And she never went in a swing, so I'm sure you will gets tons of responses about how you should do this & do that - the way I look at raising my girls is that as long as they know they are loved & out of harms way, then we're good! Sometimes we have to do what works for us too, so good luck!

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I had a daughter who did that and now she is the only one of us who can read in the car. Try using a those car seat head/neck rests in the crib. We placed one inside the cradle and she started sleeping better. I think it made her feel like she was being held.

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My son always slept in his swing at this age too. Don't worry about it- he will be fine, just go with what works, you will be better rested for it! We also had to swaddle our son at night until he was about 5 months old. Have you tried putting him in the swing at night to get him to sleep and then putting him in the crib? Or maybe a rocking chair would work, maybe while you read to your other son so that he won't feel left out. Just some suggestions. Hope they help. Good luck!

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Hi E.. I have a 10-week-old and he doesn't like to sleep in his bassinet, either. He is also colicky. Could your baby be colicky? I assumed that is why mine would not sleep on his back on a firm surface because of the gas pains. Yes, I have him on Enfamil Gentlease with special bottles and make sure to burp him during feeding. What I have had to do is have him sleep in his car seat right by my bed, which he tolerates well. Sometimes during the day, with supervision, I will let him sleep on top of an adult bed. I am still trying to wean him into his bassinet by placing him in it only when he is drowsy and not fully awake. He is beginning to tolerate it somewhat but still prefers his car seat. Sometimes during the day he falls asleep belted into his swing. They sure do fuss a lot at this age when they have colic! Also, when he starts fussing, if he doesn't need a diaper change or formula, I put him into a sling placed against my chest and this is the only way he will sleep. I can also get things done around the house with him asleep in the sling. Someone at church told me to buy Gripe Water and add it to his formula. I found it at Walgreen's today. I'm hoping that if I use this several times a day he might become less fussy and might sleep better and be willing to sleep in his bassinet! I hope any of this information helps!

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My babies never slept in the crip during the day. So if he naps in the swing, I would let him be!

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My daughter wouldn't sleep anywhere, I literally had to hold her while on the toilet, went days without a shower. I would've given anything for her to even just sleep in the swing. I say if it works, use it, do what you have to do, and just make small gradual moves to have him sleep elsewhere, as long as it doesn't create a big deal.

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My daughter napped swaddled in her swing until almost 7 months old. She also slept through the night in her crib, swaddled no problem. Prior to figuring out the swing she only napped if I was holding her or walking her in the bijorn. I received so much advice about not letting her get into that habit or she would never nap well later. Our Dr gave me the best advice - Eventually she'd grow out of it and nap in her crib. I was able to enjoy her 3+ hour naps everyday while they lasted and now she sleeps 2 hours in her crib at naps. If that's what he needs let him be.

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