Naps in Swing

Updated on November 07, 2011
M.T. asks from Eatontown, NJ
10 answers

My four month old daughter will only take naps in her swing. SHe has acid reflux really bad and spits up in very large quantities. If I put her down for her naps in her crib she wakes up, rolls over on her stomach and spits up like crazy ALL over. Then if I want to continue her nap in her crib I would have to change her sheets and then try all over again just for her to spit up more on her clean sheets. SO to keep my sanity I keep putting her in her swing for her naps. At bedtime she sleeps just fine in her crib and she doesn't spit up I am just having a tough time with naps. I know the longer I wait to get her used to her crib for naps the harder it is going to be but I am kind of waiting until the spit up slows down before really sticking to it. Does anyone have any advice? Is it really that bad that she sleeps in her swing right now? I know other parents who had there acid reflux babies sleep in there swings, car seats, or bouncy seats for months. I guess I kind of figured that it is maore important that she gets sleep right now than where she gets her sleep.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the support. I think that my mother-in-law just gets to me about her comments about things that I should be doing and it makes me second guess things that I do. My husband makes comments too which I feel that sometimes he has no right to say anything when he does absolutely nothing with her. I am lucky if he even talks to her. My older daughter had acid reflux too but she was nearly as bad as my younger daughter. I remember not starting sleep training until she was around 5 months and I remember it was a nightmare to get her to take a nap anywhere let a lone in her crib but for some reason night time was always a breeze. (still is) I am going to just listen to my own instinks and stop listening to others who don't have the responsibility of doing the impossible taks that they suggest. Thanks again

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H.1.

answers from Des Moines on

I think if it was more about habit then I would get her used to the crib. But it sounds like she can't handle the cribs at nap time because of the spitting up and reflux so I would continue to let her nap in the swing. She needs her sleep, as you said! But I would periodically try naps in the crib and if you ever start feeling like she's just creating a bad habit, work on it immediately.

I wonder how does she sleep all night fine in a crib, but not for naps??

A suggestion - put her swing in her bedroom so at least she is getting used to napping in her room and in whatever environment that is, so when she does outgrow this problem, transitioning her to her crib for naps won't be such a change. And try to not use motion on the swing as this can become "addictive" as well. But if she needs to be upright for those naps, so be it!

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P.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sometimes it is more important for you to remain sane and cope then to do what is considered normal. She will outgrow this stage and if her sleeping in the swing is giving you some relief and time to breathe then I don't see a problem with it. She is your child and I am a big believer in making your life work for your family. Being a mum is a 24hr a day job with no holidays, sick days or breaks...If she has a good sleep in her swing she is going to wake up happier and you are going to enjoy being a mum more than if you are constantly changing sheets. Its great she sleeps in her cot at night...you are doing great!

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X.O.

answers from Chicago on

My 7 month old slept in a swing in our room from birth until about 6 mos. He's a great sleeper and is now in his crib (in our room) without much difficulty transitioning.

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A.F.

answers from Houston on

You're her mama. No one knows her better than you. Do what you feel comfortable with - what you think is the best for the situation at hand. Don't worry about what others are doing or what you think others consider "normal." Everyone's normal is different.

Go with your instincts, mama - at this age, especially, they'll be right on!

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

Let her sleep where she is comfortable for naps or at night. Both my sons slept in their bouncy every day for months at a time. My youngest even slept in it at night for several weeks. There is no rule that says a baby has to sleep in a crib. It won't harm them or make them hate their bed. Let your child get that much needed nap for her and you and don't stress over it.

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T.W.

answers from Syracuse on

In the early months, my son always napped in the swing during the day and slept in his crib at night. By 5-6 months, he took all his naps in the crib because he could move around a lot and the swing just wasn't safe for him anymore. If the swing is working well for you right now, than I would just continue with that. Good luck!

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

Let her sleep wherever she will sleep. My 3rd would only nap in his swing so that's where I let him nap. Once he outgrew the swing, I had to transition him to his crib. It was hard at first. I had to let him cry it out for a couple days, but then he was fine.

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

Could you maybe try a Nap Nanny http://www.napnanny.com/ inside her crib? This way she's upright but in her crib.

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V.T.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter didn't have any acid reflux problems and I still couldn't get her to nap in her crib, but she would sleep through the night just fine in her crib. I let her nap in her swing, she needed it and I needed it. When she was about 5 months old and really wanted to stretch out, she found the swing to confining and didn't want to be in it any longer. I put her in the crib and she went right to sleep. Let her sleep where she can.

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J.C.

answers from New York on

Let her nap in her swing. It's just a nap. Don't over think it. If it helps her from spitting up - fine. It's a nap - not overnight sleep. Babies need their sleep in order to function properly. Swing away....zzzzzz.....

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