Swing Sleeping

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.

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 :)

E.,

You can have him sleep in in the swing. It won't last forever. You'll probably wish it did. :) My son slept in the swing - I think it helped him with reflux that remained undiagnosed until 18 months.

Swing him - and get him the sleep he needs. Good luck!
M.

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.

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

Oh E.,
My daughter did the same things.
She would only sleep in her carrier seat when we first took her home from the hospital. She slept in that carrier for the first few months! Then she would only sleep in her stroller! It was a real B to carry that stroller upstairs every night, but we felt that as long as she was happy, comfortable and that it helped her sleep through the night, then it was ok with us. She just wanted to sleep upright. She hated to be completely flat on her back.
My daughter didn't like the swing much until she was about 6 months old. She would always fall asleep for her morning nap in the swing or if she was having a little trouble falling off to sleep at night, the swing did help.
Heck, My Mom said that I only wanted to sleep in the play pen. Who really cares where your baby wants to sleep as long as he sleeps and he is happy. It will not last forever, and he will feel more comfortable in his crib as he gets older.
I am sure he will adapt soon to other places to sleep, but for now, I don't see a problem with the places he is sleeping.
Take care,
P.

hi E., i have an 8 week old son and a 17 month old son as well, so i'm in a similar boat as you. when your little guy wakes up after 10 minutes, how long do you let him cry? i used to pick up my baby right away but one day two weeks ago i couldn't get to him immediately (was busy with his big brother) and miraculously after 4 minutes of crying he stopped and fell back to sleep -- for a few hours! it was a breakthrough for me and i've been giving him 5 minutes of cry-time before i begin the soothing rituals again (which for us can include a simple, quick burp or sometimes a lengthy nursing, rocking session -- which can be quite challenging when my older son is awake).

my suggestion: try to wait just a few minutes before tending to your new baby to see if he can self-soothe. you may be pleasantly surprised that he can put himself back to bed without you going to him. and, if that's not yet the case, he's bound to learn to self-soothe in a few more weeks so in the meantime maybe sticking with the swing isn't such a bad thing if it creates a bit of calm around the house.

good luck!

i didn't read the rest of the posts so i am sorry if i repeat anything!
My now 15 mo old son ONLY napped in his swing (if we were home) and stroller of we were out. It got to the point where i bought a swing for my moms house so i wouldnt have to cart mine over!

Anyway... i let him do it until he started to turn over and sit on his own, i was afraid then he would turn out of the swing. I sleep trained him at 4 months, and once he was sleeping solid through the night it was easy to tackle the napping in the crib at around 6/ 7 months.

it worked after a few days... i know people tell you what is "good" and "bad" when raising kids, but I learned that if that is how I am going to get a break with him sleeping in the swing, it is not the end of the world! He wont be 18 and sleeping in the swing!!!

Let him nap there... he is too young to "train" anyway!!! YOu need the break especially with a 2 yo!!!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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!)

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.

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!!

Hi E., Sounds very typical, a swing is a very comforting motion. I would say let him for naps as this stage may not last too long. You can get things done or have time with your 2 year old while baby is sleeping in the swing. As far as the night routine, you will find a way to take care of both, we all did. Best wishes, Grandma Mary

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!