Everything You Need To Know About Baby Swings

Baby swings have been life-savers for many parents who could not get their children to fall asleep except for the soothing back-and-forth movement provided by the swing. There are lots of variations on the baby swing concept, from simple swings that the parent pushes back and forth, to swings that can be cranked, and even electric swings.
Basics of Baby Swings
No matter how you swing it, the basic idea is the same for all baby swings. A small chair is held up by rods that connect it to the top of the baby swing. The entire apparatus is usually not more than a few feet tall, and is typically meant to be kept indoors. Unlike the outdoor swings you remember from childhood, these swings have a deliberately slow movement, and cannot move very far out.
Safety Concerns for Baby Swings
Baby swings are safe for babies nine months old or younger who weigh less than 25 pounds. Even newborns can benefit from a baby swing.
Unfortunately, in the US there are few safety standards for baby swings. Every year, about 1,000 babies in the US are taken to the emergency room for injuries received while using the baby’s swing. While this number is not huge, it is cause to be careful. In particular, you should never buy baby swings that have a carrier bed attachment that allows the baby to lie down in the swing. The child can slide to the edge of the carrier and suffocate.
With regular baby swings, the biggest danger is to the baby’s head. The baby’s head can get caught between the edge of the backrest and the bars used to hold the swing up. Another danger is that the child can fall out, especially if the back of the seat collapses. Of course, this is only a danger as long as no one is there to watch the child and put his or her head back where it should be.
That’s why it is especially important for parents to stay with any children who are in a baby swing, and not to leave them alone for a second. Baby swings are not mechanical babysitters. Children are not necessarily safer in them than they would be if left alone on the floor.
Even more so than with other devices for babies, you need to be extra careful to make sure baby swings are assembled correctly and are sturdy. Each time your baby is using the swing, you should take the opportunity to check that all the screws and other fasteners are tight, that the unit is well-balanced, and that the unit is generally in good shape.

When using baby swings, parents should be extra careful to make sure the baby’s head stays upright. With newborns, you may want to roll up a towel to use as a headrest.
Make sure that children in baby swings are securely buckled in with both a seat belt and a crotch strap. Some of the older swings don’t have the crotch strap; don’t use these swings or your baby might slide out or even be strangled.
Still, despite the safety concerns, you just might find yourself one restless night thanking whoever invented baby swings and the sleep they provide.
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