Holding a newborn baby for a long day can be tough, especially when you have something urgent to do. There can be many reasons to put your toddler down and do the task. That’s why it is recommended to get a comfortable and soft swing for your baby as it allows you to do your chores, time to rest, or even let you go to the restroom.
On the other hand, it will keep your baby entertained and occupied, but how do you know when your baby’s outgrow swings? Usually, the ideal age of outgrowing the swing would range from 9 -12 months and in some cases, it can be sooner or later.
Not to mention, most babies outgrow their swings once they reach the weight limit, which ranges from 25-30 lbs. Remember, it is not a fixed rule for all babies as some babies might outgrow their swings after 9-10 months while others might take 15-16 months.
To help you understand, we have collected everything you need to know about when babies outgrow their bouncer or swings.
When Do Babies Outgrow Swings
Parents must know that it will differ from one infant to another. And you must focus on the details mentioned by the manufacturer related to the swing product.
Remember each swing product would differ in their weight and age limits that you must focus on to ensure the utmost safety to your toddler. Here’s what you need to know while using a swing for your babies.
⓵ Baby Age Limit
The best thing about a baby swing is that newborn babies can enjoy the comfort and coziness offered by these gear. Recent studies have shown that the maximum age limit for using a swing is 24 months. As you all know that usually, babies outgrow their swing after 9-10 months but in some cases, it might change depending upon the swing type.
That means some swings are specially developed for toddlers to cater for their needs up to 24 months. In contrast, other swings come with a maximum age limit of 6 months. Fortunately, some swing options are also prepared to handle a baby’s needs for at least 9 months.
So, it would be better for you to evaluate options by looking at the age limit mentioned on the swing, as it will help you find the best swing for your toddler.
⓶ Baby Weight Limit
After considering the baby’s age, you have to consider another essential determinant to know whether your infant should continue to use the swing or not. Experts recommended that your babies stop using a swing when they cross or are about to cross the weight limit mentioned in the instructions.
You all know that some babies tend to outgrow them a lot sooner than other toddlers that have average weight. So, to keep your baby on the safe side, you must stop placing your kids when they weigh around 24lbs to 30lbs. Why? Because most swing products on the market can easily withstand this range of weight and keep your baby from falling.
However, you should know that every manufacturer will mention the maximum weight capacity of the product. So, before making a potential purchase, you should look out for the weight limits even before the age limit to ensure the utmost safety of your toddler.
Not to mention, it is advised to prevent your baby from using a swing when they have crossed the weight limit. This will ensure that your product will last longer compared to other brands with varying weight limits.
Remember, if you still put your baby on a swing after they have reached the maximum weight limit, it will cause them to break. And you probably don’t want this from happening as not only will it damage the baby swing, but it will also harm your kids.
③ Time Limit
It is always advisable to keep your baby out of the swing as much as possible, even though this is not related to weight or age limit. But remember, if your infant didn’t fall asleep even after spending at least 30-45 minutes in the swing, it would be better for you to place it anywhere else.
No wonder a baby swing will make your toddler nauseated or dizzy with its slow and smooth movements if kept for too long. So, depending upon the type of swing you are using for your babies or infant, you must know that it can affect the bond between parents and babies.
That’s why it is important to hold them close to you so that they can get a lot of skin-to-skin contacts. Not only will it make them feel loved, but it will also make them feel protected. Every couple should have some parenting goals, and nourishing babies is one of them.
Behavior Of Babies Once They Outgrow Their Swings
Despite the factors mentioned above, the behavior of the baby also determines whether he should be using a swing or not. You all know that some infants have a calm nature, which makes them fall asleep immediately. That means you have to wait until they cross the weight or age limit to avoid using a baby swing.
On the other hand, other toddlers are climbers, which means their behavior will show when you have to stop using a baby swing. Climber babies usually tend to climb or get off the swing, which is pretty obvious for every parent to know that their baby has outgrown the swing.
In most cases, your baby will outgrow the swing after 9 months, and it is necessary to keep them out of the swing as it will prevent them from developing their motor skills. Remember, active babies will tend to do a lot of climbing, and if you put them in a doorway jumper or a harness, they might get stuck in straps when getting off from the gear.
Experts recommend letting your babies roam from one place to another will help in strengthening their motor skills like crawling, watching, jumping, etc., and allow them to discover their surroundings. But you must ensure to keep your room baby-friendly as tough and sharp corners can cause injury to your little one.
Why Is It Essential To Put Your Money In A Baby Swing?
Most parents might wonder why they need to invest in something that won’t work for at least a year or two. And if you are still thinking about whether you should buy a swing for your baby or not. So, to help you make an informed decision, we have curated a list of advantages that you get from a baby swing.
⓵ Entertainment
The best thing about using a baby swing is that they are integrated with many features that enable your child to remain occupied playing or messing with the toys and other things placed over his head. Remember, every baby swing will feature different functionality as some will have rocking movements, which will make your baby fall asleep faster.
On the other hand, some models are integrated with toys that could help in calming down your kids. Apart from all this, some infants require to be rocked and carried for hours before they even start to feel nauseated and close their eyes.
For those babies, it is recommended to use an electric baby swing that allows you to rock your baby as long as you want at a desirable speed. Not to mention, modern baby swings are integrated with variable motion speeds that enable you to use different motions to cater to the baby’s needs.
⓶ Time To Do Things
You all know that holding a baby for a whole day can be really challenging, which is why it is essential to have something that will provide coziness and comfort like your arms and chest to your infant. A baby swing has proven to be the best helper for parents, which allows you to put your baby down and focus on other things that you can do like going to the bathroom, doing the chores, etc.
Plus, you will be relaxed knowing that your baby is safe and sound while you continue your work. You can do anything from washing to taking a quick shower or working from home to cooking some delicious meal. However, you must keep someone in the room to keep an eye on your baby as they tend to have a little sleep.
③ Protect Your Baby
Most parents won’t leave their babies in the crib alone, especially when they are only a few months old. That means you probably want to keep an eye on them after every minute while doing your everyday work.
That’s when a baby swing comes into play. You can carry your infant anywhere you want with this great portable gear. Plus, these products are specially developed for newborn babies as they will provide a comfortable and cozy spot for your kids to sleep on.
How To Ensure The Utmost Safety For Your Baby When Sitting In Their Swing?
Even though a baby swing won’t harm your kids, but there are some preventative measures that you can consider to ensure the utmost safety of your toddler.
⓵ Place The Swing In An Open Area
It is recommended to place the crib in a flat, open area to conveniently rock on their swing. However, it would be much better for you to keep them away from other kids and pets as they might be curious to see the unique crib and mess with it or might bother your child. So, keeping it in a safe, open place would be the best idea while working on everyday tasks.
⓶ Remove The Toys
Most cribs are integrated with tiny toys to grab the attention of your toddler. However, babies often tend to grab these small toys, which are pretty far from their reach except for grown kids.
Their sudden movement can cause the swing to fall to the side and might hurt your child. Or your kid might have access to those small toys, which can cause injury and, in some cases choking. So, it’s better to remove those tiny toys and place something safer for your kid to play with.
③ Avoid Keeping Your Baby Alone
We all know that once a baby grows older, they begin to show their behavior of moving out or climbing the swing. Unfortunately, that means you cannot keep your baby alone in the room because their movements can cause the swing to fall, and probably that’s not something you want.
So, you should move the baby to the room where you are resting or working, as it will enable you to keep an eye on your kid and ensure nothing happens.
④ Limited Use
You all know that keeping your toddler in a swing for too long will increase the risk of causing SIDS and spine deformity as they support the baby with its “C” shape. That’s why it is often recommended to keep them inside the crib for 30 minutes max, as it will make them cozy and nauseated.
It would be easier for you to make them fall asleep between your arms. Remember, babies need skin-to-skin contact, which makes them feel safe and loved.
The best thing you can do is slow down the swing motion to match the preference of young babies and speed up when with older kids. Messing with speed would help in entertaining the baby and help him fall asleep faster.
⑤ Focus On The Swing Movement
We all know that machines can get damaged anytime, which makes it essential for you to check and monitor the swing movement to ensure everything is working fine. If you notice an unusual swing movement, it would be better to get your baby off from the crib and prevent potential injury before it begins to malfunction.
However, if you still can’t find a way to adjust the swing malfunction, you can read the instruction manual that comes along with the product. You will find some ways to troubleshoot the system to get it back to normal. However, it is best to use a safety harness to protect your baby.
When To Use A Baby Swing
You can keep your kids in a baby swing even after they are born but remember to follow these simple precautions. You need to take every safety precaution until they are 4 months old, so it is better to use a swing that comes with a wide-angle. Remember to keep it in a reclined position so that the baby won’t have to use their energy moving.
However, you should know that babies can stop climbing or staying in the crip after a couple of months as they can quickly get bored or might look for something new.
So, it would be better to use a different combination of motions and toys to keep your baby entertained while providing him with a cozy and comfortable place to sleep. Not to mention, you must stop using the swing when your baby feels uncomfortable while inside the crib.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What Is The Ideal Time For Using A Baby Swing?
According to research, it is recommended to keep your baby in the swing for no more than 30 minutes. Plus, you should limit the session up to two per day and stay on the safe side.
- Why Is It Not Recommended To Keep Your Baby In A Swing?
Most experts say that your toddler needs to develop their motor skills, which further lead to cruising, pulling up and crawling. That means sitting in a swing for long hours won’t help your kids develop that.
- Can A Baby Swing Impact The Brain?
Small activities like a toddler bouncing on the knee, tossing in the air, or placing them in sewing won’t cause damage to the eye and brain.
- What Is The Highest Weight Limit For Toddlers On A Swing?
The highest weight limit for toddlers on a swing is 30 lbs. After that, it is advisable to stop using a bouncer or swing to assist your kid in falling asleep.
- Can A Baby Swing Affect The Spine?
Baby jumpers, swings, and walkers keep the spine in a “C” position and leaving your toddlers inside for long will inhibit these secondary curves. That’s why it is advised to limit the usage of these gears.
Summary
No wonder a baby swing is a fantastic piece of equipment, especially when you are tired of holding your baby for too long. Not to mention, fussy babies love rocking motions and smooth texture, which helps them fall asleep faster.
However, you should not use a swing for too long as it can trigger the risk of SIDS. So, it is better to focus on the age limits, weight and time to make the most out of this gear while being on the safer side.