How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

DS is 10 weeks old. He has been sleeping in the swing since the first night he's been home from the hospital. I honestly don't know how/why we first started doing it, but we did. I had asked ped about it at first visit and he said that his son slept in swing for first three months. Then we found out that he has bad reflux and Ped GI said he shouldn't be flat down anyway.

Literally EVERYDAY my mom manages to bring up that he should be in the pack and play or the crib and why is he still in the swing. She is driving me crazy. I will admit that I am a little concerned that we are never going to get him in the crib, but she is literally driving me nuts. When I tell her that GI said he shouldn't be flat regardless, she tells me that I should put him in crib and prop mattress. So, my question to you guys - if your baby slept exclusively in bouncer or swing, when did they transition out and was it a nightmare to transition out? Am I doing the wrong thing?

Thanks!!

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

DS slept in the soothing motions glider (also on an incline) for the first 8 weeks, then transitioned him to the crib w/ propped mattress. He had a couple rough nights in the crib at first, but then was fine!

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

My DS had reflux and slept in his car seat til about 4 months!!!! Hey, he slept through the night comfortably and that worked for me. Close to 4 months my Ped. said to move him to the crib. We had the wedge thingy in the crib but DS kept sliding down it. We had the sleep positioner that worked well but I didn't sleep thinking he would get stuck!! LOL
Anyways after about a week or so he was fine in the crib. By the his reflux got better also and laying flat didn't bother him.
I think if your DS is sleeping in the swing, then LET HIM!!!

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

I feel like I should have transitioned him already. We're going up to NY in less than two weeks for 10 days, so I don't want to transition now, and then 5 days later, I need to go back to work So I'm not sure when to do it. He does not STTN but started sleeping more about 1.5 weeks ago and I definitely do not want to rock the boat right now. I just put him down to sleep in the swing without it swinging - I'm going to continue to do that to get him used to not moving, but his reflux is really bad.

We have the sleep positioner/wedge also and the few times we tried him in the pack and play with it, he totally slid out too.

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

Until very recently, DD took all naps in her swing and bouncy chair and always had a hard time in her bassinet. We put a wedge into her crib pretty early on and she took very well to that - even before we knew about the reflux - we just figured she had a strong preference for being a little upright since she liked the swing and chair so much. She just recently started sleeping in her crib for naps too, but her reflux is also finally under control - a combo of Zantac and rice cereal seemed to do the trick. I think the swing is fine, esp with the ped's blessing. At this age, you can't create bad habits yet and you really need to get the reflux under control. We never had to transition DD to the crib for nighttime since we put the wedge in pretty early but the naptime transition has gone really smoothly so far - I think it's just waiting for a combination of DC seeming ready and getting that reflux under control. When you do move to the crib, I highly recommend a wedge - best money we've spent - very cheap at BBB. I would ignore the comments and blame the ped - that usually works with my MIL! Good luck!!

ETA: our wedge is not the sleep positioner - just a wedge. Also, when I transitioned DD for naps, I did it because she started not sleeping in the swing or the bouncy, esp if it was moving - she would really fuss and fight sleep. Sometimes, she would nap on a light swing but she started preferring nothing on her own - that was my clue that she might be ready. Def try no movement and see how it goes - it'll let you know if your DC is ready.

Message edited 4/2/2010 8:02:50 PM.

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

Yeah - when I told my mom (for the 1,000th time) the ped said it was fine for now, I got a snarky comment
The wedge is what goes under the mattress to prop it up, correct? How do you keep DC from sliding down the mattress if it's propped?

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

DS slept in the swing for the first 10 weeks of life. He actually transitioned fine to the crib. We started out by having him sleep in the swing with it not moving and then moved him to the crib. My mom kept bugging me telling me that it could NOT be good for his brain to swing all night, but the pediatrician said it was fine.

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

Both my babies are reflux babies. DS spent almost 5 months in a swing. When I tried to transition him to a crib before that it was a complete disaster. He woke up covered in vomit and freaking out. You do what you gotta do. Eventually, I got him in a crib. I'd rather him sleep comfortably in a bouncy than have to change crib sheets and deal with a screaming, uncomfortable child. DD was finally able to sleep on her back just a few weeks ago. I learned to ignore family members who were "concerned" that my kids were not sleeping in a crib. It's tough, especially when they're not the ones dealing with the reflux issues

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

he's sleeping in a swing... not out on the streets. Try not to let her get to you- you're doing what's best for you and Jordan.. that's all that matters!

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

Cailen slept in his bouncer and swing everyday until he was 4 mts old!!!

He had no problem transitioning to a crib!

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

DS is 8 weeks and has reflux. At night, he sleeps in the bassinet or PNP, but we have a small pillow under the sheet so his head stays elevated. His crib is being delivered Monday and we plan on putting him in there, but still with the pillow. The pillow gives more elevation then a crib wedge. However, he has slept in his carseat when he has had a bad reflux. He seems to be the most comfortable there when his reflux is bad! He also sometimes falls asleep in the bouncer. I'll let you know how the transition goes!!

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

Posted by mrswask

Yeah - when I told my mom (for the 1,000th time) the ped said it was fine for now, I got a snarky comment
The wedge is what goes under the mattress to prop it up, correct? How do you keep DC from sliding down the mattress if it's propped?

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

DD doesn't have reflux but she hates being on her back, so we have her in a sleeper (this one) so she is upright... I see nothing wrong with it, it's not like he'll be in there forever

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

KJ slept in his swing ALOT the first 2 months....even now, about 75% of the time, he falls asleep in the bouncy seat (LOVE THAT THING) and then we transition him to the crib (he used to do this ALL the time but in the past 6 weeks or so, we have been able to put him into the crib awake and he will fall asleep)

let him sleep where he will sleep, he needs that at this age

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

We just moved DS into his crib tonight. We seem to have a hold on his reflux. (Knock on wood) Before this he was sleeping in his PNP with the mattress propped up and before that his swing, bouncy, or car seat. He is 5 months old...

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

DD is 6 weeks and sleeps in the car seat every night

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

Michal, I told you this morning, Sienna is in the swing every night. Sometimes she is in the crib during the day, but since DH doesn't want to be woken in the middle of the night, she is in the swing and i am on the couch.

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

DS was in the swing most of the time until 5 weeks. We took down the swing at that point for different reasons.

That is also when he started belly sleeping. Made a huge difference...but I can't recommend it unless you are comfortable with it. Maybe when the time comes for you to stop the swing he will be older and it might be a possibility.

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

DS has silent reflux and major gas issues. He sleeps in his crib on an inclined sleep positioner. During the day I try to get him in the pack n play for at least 1 nap to get him used to it but he also naps in his lamb chair and swing. I give him Mylicon with every bottle, he sucks on Maalox 3x a day out of the medicine pacifier, and I use Dr Browns bottles. It sort of has helped. I also feed him while he is sitting up and won't put him down in his crib for at least 10 minutes after feeding him and only if I get a good burp.

It's so hard if they aren't sleeping-I say you do whatever makes you happy and what works in your home. Don't listen to anybody else. You're the mother! I know so many moms who have had their kids sleep in carseats, swings, chairs, etc. until 4-5 mths. Do what works and makes him sleep.

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

DD slept in the swing or bouncer til she was about 12 weeks old. I transitioned her to crib with no problems.

Re: How Many Babies Are Sleeping in the Bouncer or Swing (esp reflux babies?)

Thanks for all the support and suggestions, everyone. LB, I got that sleeper, but haven't opened it yet. I figured if he's doing "ok" in the swing...

I saw the Nap Nanny at BBB and was intrigued, but it's $$$.

I asked the ped GI about belly sleeping and he said that while it is better for reflux babies, he doesn't can't recommend it because of the SIDS risk. I'm too nervous to do it - I don't think I'd ever sleep!