How long can a newborn be in a swing

How long do babies use swings? Most babies outgrow their swing by the time they turn nine months. Knowing how long can a baby use a swing helps you decide whether your child can make good use of the baby gear.

Baby Swing Time

How long does a baby use a swing? Asking this question is important because not weaning your baby off it after a certain age can create a host of problems later. Do you know the drawbacks of continuing to use the baby swing? What about baby swing age limit?

For parents, a swing is a lifesaver to quiet the crying baby and help them fall asleep. However, there’s a baby swing age range, and unfortunately, most of us, especially first-time parents, are unaware of. The truth is that the prolonged use of a swing does more harm than good for your little sweet pea.

Let’s find out the answer together, including other essential information you should know when it comes to baby swing usage.

What is the Age Range for Baby Swings?

The baby swing age range is from the day they’re born up to nine months. You should get a swing that lies backward and provides your baby with adequate support. We recommend introducing the swing right away if you want your baby to get used to it.

It takes time for your baby to adjust to the swing, and you can play with the settings that make your little darling the happiest. Here are some some tips by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help new parents keep their newborn safe when sitting in swings:

• Seat infants under the age of 4 months in a reclined swing position to prevent them from slumping over and suffocating.
• Ensure the swing doesn’t tip over or fold easily.
• If the swing allows you to adjust the seat to over a 50-degree angle, ensure it has shoulder straps to keep your baby from falling out.
• Toys on swings shouldn’t come off easily if your baby tugs at them.
• You should ensure that your baby isn’t heavier than the weight limits listed on the swing manual.
• Ensure the swing’s cradle surface remains flat while it’s moving and while it’s stopped to prevent your baby from falling out or tipping over.

However, if your baby is premature, speak to your pediatrician before using a baby swing.

How Long to Let Your Baby Stay in the Swing?

Remember to keep watch of the duration you let your baby stay in the swing

How long does a baby use a swing at one time? The rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t let your baby stay in the swing for over 30 minutes at a time.

If you keep your baby strapped in a swing for longer than 30 minutes each day, it can cause the back of their head to flatten, also known as plagiocephaly.

Spending too much time in the swing can jeopardize their safety, lead to improper sleep, and affect their developmental skills. Let’s take a look at this in a little more detail.

• In 2005, hospitals treated around 1,800 swing-related injuries in the United States, with four infant deaths caused by swings from 2001 to 2003. Swings can cause bruises and bumps, including entanglement and strangulations due to the straps. Most of these incidents are due to improper use, poor quality material, and faulty assembly.
• Swings can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Sleeping in a swing is a risk because it can reduce your baby’s oxygen intake and lead to suffocation. The swing’s constant motion also causes poor quality sleep. If you find your baby asleep in the swing, try to gently move them to a safe sleeping spot. Moreover, don’t let your baby sit in a swing for several hours, even if they’re not asleep.
• Swings can hinder your baby’s learning and development skills. You need to give your baby time and space to develop their body and mind and reach and achieve milestones. If they’re confined in a swing for a long time during the day, it can cause Container Baby Syndrome. Container Baby Syndrome delays reaching expected motor milestones such as standing, walking, rolling, and siting, causes flat spots on the head, and tightness in the neck due to their neck being tilted or turned to one side.

Does this mean swings are totally bad for your child? It really depends on your baby’s condition though. While swings generally aren’t exactly safe for infants, some babies do require the swing’s swaying motion to soothe their discomforts and lull them to sleep.

It isn’t much of an issue as long as you understand the dangers and know the proper usage of baby swings.

How Long Do Babies Use Swings?

Your baby should say goodbye to the swing at six months. If that seems too early, you can start to wean them from the swing at nine months.

However, in some instances, you can continue using the swing up to ten months if the following applies to you:

• Your baby has acid reflux or other sensitive health problems.
• Your baby has a difficult time sleeping.
• Your baby needs to be rocked or bounced to soothe.
• Your baby feels comfortable on the swing for long durations without showing signs of danger or discomfort.

When Do Babies Outgrow Swings?

Your baby will outgrow their swing by the age of nine to twelve months. Their weight is also an indicator that they have outgrown their swing. Babies weighing about 24 to 30 pounds have outgrown their swing. However, your baby may outgrow their swing sooner than your friend’s baby for instance.

Therefore, it’s essential that you follow the specified weight and height limit on the swing’s manual. Since it can be confusing on when is the right time to stop using the swing is, here are a few tips to help you decide when you need to start weaning your baby from the swing:

Age Limit

Did you know your baby can continue using the swing for up to 24 months? However, this depends on your baby’s development, growth, and the type of swing. 50% of the boys by 16 months reach their maximum weight whereas girls reach their maximum weight by 20 months.

Weight Limit

Most swings have a weight limit of 28 pounds to 30 pounds. We recommend you stop using the swing when your baby reaches 24 pounds. This will prevent the swing from breaking, and your baby will not be in any danger.

You should keep an eye out for signs that tell you that your baby no longer wants to sit in the swing. If the baby reaches the maximum weight and doesn’t show signs of discomfort, you still need to stop using it.

Time Limit

If your baby sits in the swing for over 30 minutes, the swing may make them feel dizzy, and it’ll also affect the baby-parent bonding time.

Climber

If your baby can’t stay in the same position and tries to climb out, it’s time to stop using the swing. If they try to climb out, it can create a dangerous situation, as they can become tangled in the harness.

How to Wean Your Baby from the Swing?

Now that you know the baby swing age limit, you need to wean them off:

• Step 1: Slowly remove the swing from your baby’s bedtime routine.
• Step 2: Lower the speed to the swing’s lowest setting.
• Step 3: Transfer your sleeping baby into their crib.
• Step 4: Swaddle your baby to make them sleep longer.
• Step 5: Make your baby sleep in the crib (won’t be easy, though).
• Step 6: Create a calming atmosphere in the baby’s room, such as playing white noise music, keeping the room dark, and setting the right room temperature.

You can also see this great video to learn how to wean your baby from the swing:

Conclusion

In a nutshell, you should stop letting your baby use the baby swing at the age of 9 months.

Although that is the best time to stop using the swing, you can also use other factors such as the crib’s weight and height limit to determine when you need to stop using the swing.

It’s important to know when to stop using baby swing, as it can create a dangerous situation. After all, your baby’s safety is of utmost importance.

How long do you allow your baby to use a swing? Share with us your questions or comments if you have anything to add on – we’d love to hear from you!

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