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Most experts recommend limiting your baby's time in a motorized swing to an hour or less a day.

And although your little one may love the swing – and it may be a lifesaver during the newborn months – try not to rely on it too much. Your baby needs plenty of time cuddling with you, as well as tummy time to strengthen the muscles needed for crawling and standing.

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Of course, many parents find that a baby swing is a surefire way to calm a crying baby, especially if their baby's colicky or hard to soothe. It's fine to use a baby swing, if you take the right safety precautions. And of course, use other soothing methods, such as rocking, wearing, and swaddling your baby.

Can my baby sleep in a swing?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents against using swings for sleeping babies. Unlike cribs or bassinets, swings aren't intended for sleep. Young babies don't have the muscle strength to hold their heads up, and sleeping in a semi-upright position (like in a car seat, swing, or bouncer) with their heads slumped over can cause suffocation.

The rhythmic rocking motion of the swing may very well put your baby to sleep. If your baby falls asleep in a swing, move them to a firm sleeping surface (like a crib, bassinet, or play yard) as soon as possible. And put them down on their back to sleep.

Baby swing safety

Between 2009 and 2012, more than 350 swing-related safety incidents were reported, including two infant deaths and 24 injuries. (Accidental injuries or deaths can happen when babies tumble out of the swing or slump forward until they can't breathe.) The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved new safety standards for baby swings in 2012 to address these problems.

Though modern swings are much safer, it's still important to follow safety precautions when using one. Here are some baby swing safety tips:

• Don't leave your baby unattended in a swing. Even if you're busy doing something else, make sure you can always see and hear them.
• Read the instruction book for your baby's swing carefully, and follow any precautionary measures the manufacturer recommends.
• Put babies under 4 months old in the most reclined swing position to help prevent slumping over.
• The swing shouldn't tip over or fold up easily.
• Toys on mobiles attached to the swing shouldn't come off easily.
• Make sure your baby isn't heavier than weight limits specified on the swing label or instructions.
• Buy a swing with a five-point harness to hold your baby securely.
• Don't leave your baby in a swing for extended periods of time. About 15-minute chunks are fine, but longer can deprive your baby of the opportunity to practice moving around. (And for more info on how to help your baby achieve physical milestones, check out premium course, Meeting Physical Milestones Through PlayOpens a new window.)
• Check the CPSC's list of product recallsOpens a new window before you buy a swing.

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