Swing Sleeping

jessica_gail2 · May 2013

Sorry to be a board hog but I'm full of questions and you ladies are always full of great answers!!

S has been sleeping in her swing for naps and at night for the past couple of weeks. She's 5 wks now. Typically I only put it in motion for naps bc she seems to always be a light nap sleeper at first. At night i usually just swing it manually for a minute or two then let it be motionless. Last night was a bear so I started the swing up.

Is this bad for me to do? Should I be trying harder to get her to sleep in her crib although she tends to just wake up very soon if not immediately after I put her down? Is the RNP a better option than the swing? Any advice for transitioning from the swing to her crib?

mnj05 · May 2013

I've always been told, do whatever you need to do to survive and some days that is absolutely true! We've been blessed with a good sleeper, he sleeps pretty much anywhere, anytime. We started him out in a bassinet next to our bed from day one at home. He did really well in it and still does if we put him there. Around a month, we traveled and took the bouncy seat for him to sleep in and that's been where he sleeps most nights since then. It's just easier because it's closer and I don't have to get out of bed completely.

He takes almost all naps in the swing, in motion, sometimes with water noises. Some days he will nap on his tummy on the play mat beside me, or in his crib (both tummy and back).

I really think that at this point, wherever she sleeps so that you get rest too is perfect. Everything else will work itself out eventually and there may be a few hard nights, but you'll get through it! Sorry I'm not much help! H still sleeps in our room so we haven't even made the transition yet.

jesselayne8 · May 2013

DD slept in her swing for 3 months. I was so worried about the transition but it happened when she was ready. I think using the motion as little as possible is a good start.

TJ1979 · May 2013

E slept in her swing for all naps until she was too big and squirmy, like 5 months or so. She slept at night in her PNP though. But like pp said, the first few months are all about survival. You're doing just fine!
Just make sure you're strapping LO in. Safety first.

Cwhitaker27 · May 2013

I totally agree with PP's. Do what you need to do to get some sleep for the both of you. There were some nights, i'm horrified to say, DS slept in the swing all night. I seriously felt like a horrible mom, but some nights it was the only way he could sleep. I was pretty sure I had a swing addict on my hands but DS ended up transitioning pretty well. Don't worry mama you're doing great!

CallMeAl · May 2013

I'm a firm believer in doing what works for you until it stops working. If you and LO are getting sleep - it's working for now! And she's still plenty little to be sleeping in the swing, IMO.

wille2b · May 2013

My oldest was in the swing until 16 weeks and my younger ds was in the swing till about then as well. He still has a night here and there where that is the only way he will sleelp. At 5 weeks I wouldnt be too worried, just get rest when and where you can!

Dragonfly1226 · May 2013

The first three months you need to just do what works for you and your family. DS slept in his swing (unless we were holding him, wearing him, or pushing him in the stroller) for a little over the first three months. He is a champ sleeper now. I thinks it's great that you found something that works for you and LO!

pb_bride · May 2013

Just a few thoughts -

Is S swaddled at night? Does she have a white noise machine? These things will help her stay asleep and sleep longer.

M started his life in a rock n play, but I was nervous about the crib transition later on. So, each night we put him to sleep in the RnP, but after his first MOTN feed, we would put him in the crib. Some nights it worked, some nights it didn't (and we put him back in the RnP). By doing this consistently night after night, we managed to wean M off the RnP completely when he was 1 month old.

From what I've read here on TB as well as talking to other new moms IRL, most babies transition fairly well later on (say, 3 months) - it usually involves a few bad nights but that's it.

OTOH, I also know some ppl IRL that their babies are still in the RnP at 5 or 6 months and they had a very difficult time transitioning to the crib....

Jenny952 · May 2013

I will beat you on the swing sleeping... my DD slept in the swing at daycare until she was over a year old! It was the only way they could get her to sleep b/c she liked the rocking motion. Even now, if she still fit in the swing, I think she'd still sleep there.

You are NOT a bad mommy. You are an awesome mommy for knowing how and when your LO likes to sleep. There's nothing wrong with sleeping in a swing all night. Sleep is sooooo important, to you and baby, so however, wherever, whenever works, do it!

jessica_gail2 · May 2013

Thanks for all the feedback! I don't know why I get so concerned about it but I do! I think bc family members keep asking if she's sleeping in the crib yet. I agree though. A happy and wellrested baby and mama are most important!

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