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Baby swings are a popular option to entertain or soothe a fussy baby. However, experts do not recommend that babies sleep in a swing. Sleeping in baby swings has been linked to higher risks of injury, flat spots on heads, blocked airways, accidental suffocation, and death. For these reasons, if a baby does fall asleep in a swing, their parent or caregiver should carefully pick them up out of the swing and move them to their crib or bassinet.
We discuss the risks to babies from sleeping in swings, how to safely use a baby swing, and expert recommendations for helping babies sleep safely.
Baby swings are not designed for sleep. Instead, the purpose of baby swings is to support infant playing. When parents and caregivers use baby swings and other equipment outside of their recommended use, such as for sleeping, they may unintentionally put babies in danger.
An infant sleeping in a baby swing may be at risk for difficulty breathing Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source , injury to the head or neck, or getting tangled in the swing’s equipment.
Many baby swings hold babies so that they are sitting upright Trusted Source Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. View Source . While sitting can be fun for play, it is not a safe position for sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Young infants have a harder time breathing when they are sitting upright.
Babies have large heads compared to the size of their necks. Newborns less than 4 months old also have difficulty controlling their heads. As a result, young babies often bend their heads forward toward their chests when they are sitting or propped upright. This position can narrow Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source or block their airways, making it difficult for babies to breathe.
Researchers have also found that babies sleeping on tilted surfaces such as swings or inclined sleepers may roll onto their stomachs, particularly if they are not buckled in or if the straps are loose Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . This is concerning because sleeping on the stomach is the top preventable risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Babies less than a year old should always be put to sleep on their backs.
When sleeping in baby swings, car seats, and bouncers, babies are also at risk for injury because these devices put pressure Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source on the backs of babies’ heads. Babies’ skulls are soft, and too much pressure in one area for a long period of time can cause a flat spot on the head. When babies sleep in swings, pressure on the backs of their heads can cause or worsen flat spots.
Young infants cannot hold their heads facing forward for a long time. For that reason, babies who spend a lot of time in swings may keep their heads turned to one side Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . This can lead to torticollis, a condition where the neck twists and causes the head to tilt unnaturally.
To prevent flat spots and torticollis, parents and caregivers should limit babies’ time spent in swings. Instead, caregivers can supervise tummy time Trusted Source National Institutes of Health (NIH) The NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. View Source , when the awake baby is placed on their stomach to stretch and practice motor skills.
Most baby swings have straps that attach at the baby’s waist and groin and possibly the shoulders. However, occasionally parents or caregivers do not buckle the straps, or they attach the straps too loosely. Loose or unbuckled straps can be dangerous because sleeping babies can become tangled in or even strangled by them. Babies who are not properly strapped in could also fall out of the swings and be injured. To avoid the risk of injury, caregivers should always properly buckle straps on baby swings.
Many baby swings are also padded for comfort. However, cushions and other soft bedding can be hazardous for sleeping babies. Sleeping babies could turn their faces toward the padding and suffocate, particularly if they are not securely buckled. Babies should sleep on firm surfaces without any soft objects such as pillows or toys to avoid this risk.
Parents and caregivers should always follow manufacturers’ recommendations for baby swings, including secure buckling, and should always monitor babies while they use swings. Parents and caregivers should also make sure baby swings are stable, in good working condition, and meet current U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards.
New CPSC standards for baby swings took effect in 2013. The standards were updated after the CPSC received over 350 complaints about baby swings, which included 24 injuries and two deaths, in one year.
The new standards require manufacturers to design, test, and add warnings to swings Trusted Source Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. View Source to ensure they are stable, secure, and have seats at safe angles for babies. Baby swings sold after May 2013 must meet the current CPSC standards, but some older swings may not. Parents and caregivers can also check whether their baby swing or other equipment is listed on the CPSC list of recalled products.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends additional tips to safely use a baby swing Trusted Source AAP News & Journals Gateway AAP Gateway is the home of the American Academy of Pediatrics periodical publications. View Source .
out of babies’ reach
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American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
The AAP and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
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Due to the risk of injury, experts do not recommend Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source babies sleep in a swing. If a baby falls asleep in a swing, then the parent or caregiver should take the baby out of the swing and move them to a crib or bassinet.
While experts do not have a maximum recommended duration babies can spend in a swing, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians agree that babies should not spend a long time in swings or similar equipment. Babies need a variety of activities, including tummy time, cuddles, and play, for healthy physical, cognitive, and social development.
Additionally, babies who regularly sleep in a swing may eventually have difficulty sleeping through the night or learning to sleep in a crib. When children need a particular routine, setting, or object in order to fall asleep, then they may wake up during the night and be unable to fall back to sleep Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source without their preferred object or routine.
Parents or caregivers of babies who can only sleep in a swing should try putting them to bed in a crib or bassinet when they are sleepy but still awake. If a baby continues to have difficulties falling asleep without a swing, then their parents or caregivers should talk to a doctor about whether sleep training is appropriate.
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