Bouncers for Preemies?

HJOHNSTON411

Hi,

I have a 7 wk old (3 wks adjusted) born @ 35 wks due to IUGR and pre-e.  He stayed in the hospital for 31 days as a feeder/grower.  He's been home for 3 wks now and is doing great.  He's about 6.5 lbs now. 

When we left the NICU they told us not to use bouncers or swings for 2 months.  It was on their generic discharge sheet that they give everyone.  I am thinking that this is because many preemies have respiratory problems?  But, my LO never had any and passed the carseat test etc. 

The pediatrician said I could use them but not to let him stay in there for more than 20 minutes at a time.  And the nurse said they are a SIDS risk?  I've never heard this and have had tons of friends whose newborns LIVED in bouncers and swings (the soft papasan types that recline almost completely of course). I know preemies are different, but I feel like at 3 wks adjusted he should be fine in a bouncer or swing for an hour or so.

Any thoughts?

kck329

I've never heard any of that before. My NICU had both swings and bouncers for the babies to use so they were not always in their cribs. I think as long as you aren't leaving your son alone in the bouncer/swing for long and he isn't in it all day, you are fine.

JakesBride07

I think the fear with Preemies is that they could slouch their head and neck together and restrict their airways. My twins are now adjusted age 2 months and use their bouncy seats, but only for about 20-30 minutes at a time...when A was still in the NICU they would leave her in it for longer if she was comfortable.

I don't think either of mine would tolerate being in a bouncy seat for and hour, but their swings are a different story, somedays that is all they want to do.

katie4253

Gabe was born at 31 weeks and when he was fussy in the NICU they put him in the swing. 

We put him in the following swing and the RNP. 

rachel06

kck329:

I've never heard any of that before. My NICU had both swings and bouncers for the babies to use so they were not always in their cribs. I think as long as you aren't leaving your son alone in the bouncer/swing for long and he isn't in it all day, you are fine.

This

Kate621

We were never told anything like that. I can't imagine the positioning in a bouncer or swing would be any different than a car seat. If your LO passed the car seat challenge I wouldn't worry. Just don't leave them in there all day obviously.

blue33

JakesBride07:

I think the fear with Preemies is that they could slouch their head and neck together and restrict their airways. My twins are now adjusted age 2 months and use their bouncy seats, but only for about 20-30 minutes at a time...when A was still in the NICU they would leave her in it for longer if she was comfortable.

I don't think either of mine would tolerate being in a bouncy seat for and hour, but their swings are a different story, somedays that is all they want to do.

This exactly!!

Irishsapphire

This is a picture of my baby when he first came home at 6 lbs in his Baby Einstein bouncer.  It said that we could start using it at 6 lbs.  It was a little big at first, but he still takes naps in it.  I think that it is smart to just watch it, and we usually took off the bar with the music.