Sleeping in Bouncy Seat

I wouldn't worry about it. My son and the daughter of my babysitter both slept in a swing until they were almost a year old. He transitioned into a bed well enough, and does not seem to have any lasting damage.

I personally think it's just fine. My daughter had reflux when she was an infant so I think it affected how she slept on her back. She ended up sleeping in a rocker swing until she was maybe 6 months old. We did eventually have to make the transition, and we had to let her cry it out. But that only lasted a few days, and she was just fine after that. She is now 3 1/2 and doesn't have any problems at all from it. I have to agree that it is important that she sleeps well, so you also can sleep well!

Well if she isn't comfortable sleeping on her back I'll try letting her sleep on her tummy. The first month is when you have to worry about SIDS.

Tracy I just want to tell you she will be fine I let my son who will be 3 in Feb. sleep in his swing until he was 5 months old because that was the only way he would sleep and the only resaon he stopped is because we brought the swing to the lake with us for him to sleep in and couldn't fit it back in the car (long story) so then I had to put him in his crib and he has slept there ever since (well now he is in a big boy bed) but needless to say he is fine...oh and I didn't mention before the swing was similar to a hammock shape it is like a big bowl but he loved it! Anyway I say whatever it takes to get some sleep use it :) Oh and also he slept in it for naps as well. He sleeps perfect and has since then so no worries she will be fine!

I'm a member of the "if she's happy and healthy, then why mess with a good thing" club! My daughter never thrived on the "standard" advice for anything, so much so that our pediatrician once said, "Your daughter has obviously not read one single textbook!" From that experience, I learned to trust my instincts and it has served me very well. The same will be true for you, I'm sure.

You really don't mention if your child ever lies prone- is she getting her tummy time? Is your daughter being prepared to roll over in her sleep? My daughter's pediatrician said it was okay for my daughter to sleep on her stomach, her preferred sleeping position, if she rolled onto it herself. This meant that she was strong enough to roll onto her back too and would probably avoid SIDS. I think if you prepare your child that way, then it won't be too hard to "train" her to sleep in her crib. I am not an expert of how much longer you could let your child sleep in the bouncy chair, but I know if were my daughter I would be trying to prepare her for her crib. My daughter was sleeping through the night at her age too and she slept in a crib. She would also need this tummy time skill to strengthen her necks muscles so she can learn to eat if you aren't exclusively breast feeding. Good luck.

Hi T.:

Since she is still just 4 months old, have you tried to swaddler her? My son loved it until he was a bit older.

I went to a fabric store and bought 2 yards of a stretchy, breathable cotton fabric and rolled him like a burrito (the swaddling blankets found at the store were too small for him at that age). He felt very secure - you could almost feel it from him. It might make her feel like she is in the womb again. AND, you might be able to get her to lie on her side in the crib. Or maybe, just feeling secure will make it easier for her to sleep on her back...

Good luck and have a wonderful Christmas with your new little one!

My now 9yo son frequently slept in the infant carrier and swing when he was about 8 months and under. He loved to be swaddled, but usually got too hot. When he slept in the infant carrier it gave him a similar feeling (with the walls of the carrier being so close). We never had a problem putting him to sleep in his crib.

My daughter wouldn't sleep in her crib for a long time. I used the bouncy seat for the first few weeks (and needed to be bounced until she fell asleep) and then discovered the side-to-side Fisher Price Aquarium swing. My daughter took naps and spent the night in the swing. It was the only way I could get any sleep. I was not going to do a cry-it-out thing with her. I didn't think it was a good idea for her to be in the swing or bouncy seat too long but didn't know what else to do. She's four now and has not had any issues with her spine and she sleeps normally in a regular bed... no problems!

One other thing that worked for us....I discovered the Miracle Blanket when my daughter was about four months old. Swaddling helped her sleep in her crib at night (she still preferred the swing for naps until about 6 months). She used the Miracle blanket until about 10 months when she finally didn't want it anymore. She was nearly 10 lbs. and 22 inches at birth so regular blankets didn't work for swaddling (she kicked right out even at the hospital with experts doing the swaddling) and I wish I had known about the MB sooner as I think that really would have helped her sleep in her crib sooner.

Good luck!

I'd swaddle...my daughter is 4 mos old and still loves it. I use the kiddpotamous swaddle me blanket---the velcro stays really well. She sleeps in a co-sleeper beside me. Other times she sleeps in bed with me. Maybe you can transition by having her in bed with you for a while?

The bottom line is that you all need sleep. If she's sleeping, and you're sleeping, then you don't have a problem.

All 3 of my kids slept on their tummies. I tortured myself and my first baby for all of 3 weeks before we were both too exhausted to enforce the sleeping on the back thing. She was like a light switch: on her back she screamed, on her belly she slept. Babies #2 and #3 I put on their sides or tummies from the beginning.

Not that many years ago, all babies slept on their tummies.

Do what's right for your family. Read books and get advice, but remember that no one knows your child as well as you do, so be confident in your own judgement.

Good luck.

S.
SAHM of 3 (ages 8, 5 1/2 and 21 months)

I left my daughter in her bouncy until about 5 months. It was not hammock like but just a normal bouncy so she was fairly stretched out. My now 10 month old son was in his for about 4 to 5 months too. It just made me more comfortable in regards to spitting up and rolling onto their faces during the night. I couldn't stand to go in and find them asleep on their tummies at 4 and 5 months old. Scared me to death. My pediatrician was against sleeping in the car seat as it was too hard for the back of the head but didn't complain about the bouncy.

Hi,
Try wrapping her in a blanket, like they did at the hospital, this makes her feel safe. You could also try [with her wrapped in a blanket] having her sleep on her side. You would need to put a blanket behind her back to keep her on her side. If this wooks , remember to alternate which side she sleeps on so she does not get a flat spot on her head.
This is also a concern with her sleeping in the bounce seat, make sure she alternates sides.

I use a bounce chair all the time in my daycare and I give them to anyone I know that is having a baby. They are Great. I say do what you need to for her to sleep and for you to get the rest you need.

I hope this helps

I am the mother of 3 and the grandmother of 7. I have had an inhome daycare for 20+ years

J.

I say sleep is more important than following the book. My oldest loved her swing. She slept the best in her swing and you know what.....at 8 she does not sleep in a chair. Like you said once she got older and had more freedom and body control she was ready for the bed. She made the choice and she is just fine. Sorry, nothing technical just kids will be kids. Good luck!

Tracy,
I wouldn't worry about this. My first 2 (I now have 5 under the age of 7) were identical twin boys. They only slept together (and actually still do in a full size bed) when they were infants. They were small and had terrible colic.

The only place they would sleep was in their moving swings. When they were less than 4 months, we actually put them both in one swing --- they were both swaddled and belted --- and after 4 months they each went into their own swing. The hardest part was replacing the batteries in the middle of the night when the swing would stop and we didn't want to wake them.

They didn't start sleeping in bed until after they were 9 mos. And, then it varied between sharing a crib or getting into our bed.

I, personally, believe that if your baby is sleeping that means YOU get some sleep. And, even though those first 8 mos. of my twins lives are a blurr to me (I, slept on the couch while they were in their swings & I breastfed both until 15 mos.) --- I wouldn't change a thing.

As long as your baby is healthy & happy, just relax and enjoy this time. It goes by way too fast!

we put the bouncy seat in the crib at night. This lets them get used to the surroundings and feel secure while being in the bouncy seat. Before you know it, it will work out. You could also put her in her crib for "play time" to help her get more secure with the surroundings.

Well, she will grow out of the bouncy seat eventually. The only think that may be bad would be preventing her from practicing to roll over. They stretch there muscles in the bassinet or crib. They are kind of left restricted in the bouncy seat. If you feel comfortable, you may just want to start in incriments. Start of having her lay on the floor with you there... interacting with her. My daughter likes movement to fall asleep. So I rock the bassinet with a pacifier in her mouth and she eventuall falls asleep. You may try swaddling her or wrapping her in one of those sleepers so her feet are touching something. Just a few ideas.

I was going to suggest swaddling also. Both of my girls had to be swaddled until they were 6/7 months old. neither would sleep on their backs unless they were swaddled.

Tracy,

Don't fret....my son, who is just over 2, slept in a swaddle blanket in his carseat (which we then placed inside the bassinet) from the time he was about 2 1/2 months to about 5 1/2 months old! He wouldn't sleep on his back either, would sleep a max of 45 minutes or so before waking up screaming. So we swaddled him with a Kiddopotamus swaddle (love them, give them with every baby shower gift!) and that seemed to help a bit, but was still not doing it. We then put him in the swing (papasan style) for about a month; he slept pretty well in it, but we realized that if we put him in the car seat, he would sleep all night long, so we used it! He had a bit of reflux as well, so I think the half-sitting actually helped with that too. His back is fine! He eventually went to his crib at about 6 months and we haven't looked back since, but we were much happier campers when we started using the alternate methods! For recent issues (2yo tantrums and such), we got some good advice that stated that right now everything is just a phase and will last only a short time, so if you find something that works for the moment, don't worry, things will eventually equalize. Good luck and many blessings!

I think it is perfectly okay to continue letting your baby sleep in this position. She is definitely not doing any harm to her spine and you are right that this position resembles her being in your womb. It is natural for little ones to sleep in this tucked position for the first year. They are still very new to the world and their new environment and find comfort in the fetal position they were in for nine months in your womb. They love to feel you close to them and hear your breath and heart beat. It gives them a good sense of security to feel snug in a small space. Don't rush things. As long as she is safe in the bouncy chair when sleeping and reaching her natural milestones she will probably grow out of this sleeping position. I have a two year old son who found great comfort in the bouncer and papasan swing in his first year. He now sleeps peacefully spread out all over his bed. Continue to have patience and learn from your baby what makes her happy.

We were worried about this exact same thing this time last year. Our son would only sleep in his bouncy seat and did until he was almost 7 months old. He couldn't even sleep in the bouncy seat unless he was tightly swaddled. He is 18 months old now and sleeps in his bed on his back unswaddled and falls asleep on his own. We thought we would never get here. We just waited for him to be ready to give up the bouncy seat and the swaddle blanket, and he did. He is perectly healthy and normal with no spinal issues. Others may disagree, but I say let her sleep where she will.

Tracy:

I will give you advice that may be a bit contrary. First of all, be careful about leaving your baby in that seat for two long. I know people that have done that. It hindered the babies development. They never had to hold up their heads and could not do it until they were about 1 year old.

On the other hand, people get too worked up about sleeping position. When my 17 year old was born, the doctor asked me at every visit if I was making sure that my baby was on his stomach. I was told that he would choke on his own vomit if I let him sleep on his back. Of course, when I put him on his stomach he would scream and cry the whole time.

How times have changed! Just three years later, the advice was opposite. I solved my son's seep problem by putting him on his side. Back then, I put a rolled-up blanket on his back so he couldn't turn over to his back. I think the same thing would work to keep a baby from rolling onto her stomach.

My boys did love to be swaddled. They felt more secure.

Good Luck - PS I think that babies are smart and just know what they need most of the time. My son had apnea. Although most babies are just fine, he must have known that he needed to sleep on his back.
Jen

My daughter was not a back sleeper either. The first 2 mos. she slept on my chest, until I had to go back to work. I tried puttin her on her side everything. That lasted until about 3 mos. old then I tried her on her stomach during naps and it worked. I made sure she could move her head back and forth and she did. She rarely took naps at daycare for about the first month she was there, because they aren't allowed to put them on their stomach. So my suggestion is maybe try and prop her mattress up in her crib. Or just let her sleep in the bouncy seat. It may be a hard habbit to break at some point, but once she starts moving around more and rolling over, then try her on her stomach and that may be how she has to sleep.

I don't think it's wrong to let her sleep in her bouncy seat. However, she'll outgrow her bouncy seat in a few months so you might want to start getting her to sleep in her bed before it's too late and you have no other choice. We used Babywise to learn about sleep habits & sleep training for our little one, and it worked excellent for us. But, I know everyone's baby is different but it's worth a try. Good luck!

I wonder if she is having reflux - stomach contents backing up into her esophogas (like indigestion). This is very common with babies. Perhaps laying flat is uncomfortable and the angle of the bouncer helps to reduce her discomfort. Both of my children had reflux and it generally improves around 6 - 8 months, once they are sitting up on their own. Also, both of my kids preferred to sleep on their tummies. Once they were able to be on their tummies, they slept much better.

My son (now 8 mos) slept in his carrier for 2 1/2 mos because he would constantly wake up otherwise! I say that if she's sleeping peacefully, let her sleep. There will come a time that she won't need to sleep that way, but until then... Sleep is good and as long as she's safe and secure, then I wouldn't worry about it. When she's a little older and you're rested, you can start transitioning her to the bed. My son let me know when he was ready. Trust your great mommy instincts!

My guys slept in swings/swaddled for 4 months. They didn't sleep well flat either. I had to stop cold turkey when we had to fly to California for a family emergency. Couldn't take the swings... Anyway, they did great. I used a nice soft pack n play w/ white noise. That is actually the longest they ever slept. I also noticed that once they could flip onto their bellies and turn their heads, they slept through the night. You may have to just cold turkey it. Pretty soon her weight is going to slow it down that it won't rock very fast anyway. Start with naps in the bed.

My son had reflux and also slept sitting up. He slept in the seat of his swing, I would remove it from the base and put it in his crib and he slept that way until he was about 4 1/2 months. My pediatrician said it was fine. He would do the exact same thing if I put him in crib, dead asleep he would wake up screeming. I just started laying him down every night in the crib to see how long he would go, and it was never very long. So a couple of weeks ago I took the liner out of the seat and laid it down in the crib, thinking at this point it was a security issue. It worked so I did that for a few days, then I took the liner out and he sleeps in the crib just fine now.

My twin girls were premature and slept in bouncy seats for several months due to acid reflux. They are fine and sleep well in their beds. I also have a newborn who sleeps in a bouncy seat right now. I hope to move him to his bed over the holidays but I had the same problem as you. He will not sleep on his back flat for more than 10 minutes. Don't worry, it will all work out.

As you said yourself-If she eats well and sleeps and is happy... And doctors can say 'what's best' for the kids but in reality they're our kids and moms typically know best for each kid.

People talked bad about co-sleeping for us saying we'd never get the kids out of the bed, etc. Well we did it with both of our kids and they had no problems going to their own bug beds when it was time.

hope this helps:)

You have some great responses. Baby's like to feel their boundary so swaddling helps a lot. Remember they were in a vary tight place before (your womb). Most baby's like to sleep on their tummy's but because of SIDS not a good idea until she can roll over. I would also think about the possibility of reflux many baby's have it and they do not spit up some do. In the hospital we swaddle and also put a blanket roll around the baby. If reflux is thought to be an issue we raise the head of the bed around 30 degrees. Good Luck!

Both of my kids slept on their stomachs. When my 15 yr old was born, that was recommended. Now, when my 3 yr old was born the whole hype of sleeping on their backs was insisted. First of all, I know a mother whose daughter died of SIDS while sleeping on her back. Second, my son spit up at 1 week old and was choking while on his back! I said no way after that.

I too don't recommend that seat. I remember my brother's daughter slept in her bouncy seat for so long we were all shocked! Needless to say, she is a normal, healthy, happy child, BUT she still will not go to sleep w/o someone lying down with her at almost 4! (big mistake!)

Good luck

Hi Tracie Marie,
I haven't read what the other moms wrote, so I'm sorry if I repeat other advice...but I just thought you'd like to know that I went through the same thing with my baby. For the first probably 5 months of her life, she would sleep much better in her swing than anywhere else. I always tried to put her down in her crib at night to sleep, but she'd always wake up two hours later...if she was sleeping in her swing, she'd sleep for four hours at a time. I didn't have the luxury of having a baby that slept 12 hours at night...you're very lucky!

Anyway, I was worried about it too, but when she was about 6 months old, I transitioned her to sleeping exclusively in her bed at night (she was sleeping longer by then anyway) but she still napped in her swing during the day. Then at about 8 months, I started putting her down in her crib for naps during the day. Turns out, she sleeps MUCH better in there because there aren't the interruptions of sleeping in the middle of the living room in her swing.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that all babies are different and they all have their preferences. My baby grew out of needing to sleep sitting up and yours probably will too. At four months old, anything that will keep her happy and well rested, I think, is just fine! Just make sure she's safe wherever she is and go with it.

Enjoy her...they grow up so fast!

Hilary

Hi Tracy, If your daughter is getting a full night's sleep in the bouncy chair, then I would let her sleep in it at least until she rolls over. Once she rolls over, you won't be as concerned about SIDS. You could try to prop up one end of her crib too. We were having sleep issues with our daughter and propping up one end of her crib so that she slept on an incline seemed to do wonders. We did eventually have to do sleep training with her so that she would sleep all night in her crib. We started that just a few days after she turned 5 months. Once she was sleeping all night in her crib without waking up, we took the towels out from under the mattress and she adjusted and continued to sleep all night. Now we only prop up the end of the mattress if she has a cold and remove the towels when she's over her cold. Hope that helps.

Editing to add: I did put the cushion from the bouncy chair in the crib with her for a couple of nights and then took it out. I think that did help since it was something she was familiar with. Also, try putting her in her crib when she's awake and in a good mood. Stand there and talk to her. Do this for a few minutes at a time. It will let her get familiar with her bed while she's in a good mood.

My son slept in his swing until he was 5 mos. old....I only put him in his crib at 5 mos. because the swing wore out so I had to go "cold turkey". LOL It was fine though. I also used a "noggin nest" when he slept in his swing to avoid flat head syndrome so maybe you could try that. I got it from Babies R Us. I think having her sleep in her bouncy seat is just fine. :)

My son is 4 months and he too sleeps best in the bouncy. My 17 month old also started by sleeping in the bouncy and soon moved to the bed. I would not worry too much about her having to sleep upright at 10 years old. She will eventually sleep in the bed.
I am more concerned about her not turning her head. Maybe you should think about a chiropractor. She might have been so "smashed up" in the womb and her alignment might be off.
Just something else to think about.

Just a thought, but have you tried swaddling her really securely? You may have something when you said she doesn't feel secure with her legs being free. Many babies dislike feeling. It is more secure for them to be swaddled as it offers them security. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I'm certainly no doctor, but my son slept in his bouncy seat until he was almost too big for it. My son was born several weeks early, and had terrible acid reflux. He did not like being on his back at all. He would sleep upright in the car seat and the swing, but with the bouncy seat I could just strap him in and then set it inside the crib. I guess it made me feel a little bit better that way! As he started to get a little bigger, I would try and let him nap on his back in the crib. It started slow, naps weren't very long, but eventually we got made progress. Successful naps gave me the encouragement to try night time sleep in the crib and it worked. Personally, I think the necessity of sleeping upright turned into a habit and that's why we had to "transition" back to normal sleeping on the back. But at the beginning we needed all needed rest and that worked at the time. And it really only lasted a few months. Good luck!

Tracy,

This bed was a lifesaver for us. Our youngest would only sleep in his swing (and even then he would wake up in the middle of the night) until we got this.

http://www.ambybaby.com/

We got ours on eBay when he was about 2.5 months old. The first night we let him sleep in it, he basically slept through the whole night. He suffers from reflux and is actually on meds for it. He is almost 8 months now and pushing the weight limits for the bed. :)
I can not say enough good things about this bed. Hope this helps. Happy Holidays.

You need to swaddle her. This gives her the security that she needs. Get the DVD Happiest Baby On The Block and you will never have a problem. It is important to swaddle her exactly as he shows you. She may fuss as you are doing it, but as soon as you pick her up and turn her to her side she will be happy. Then when she is relaxed and asleep, put her down on her back. I teach this method of baby calming, so if you have any questions just let me know.

Both mine were preemies and they were at an incline in the NICU. When I got my oldest home she did the same thing! The doctor said to let her sleep in her infant carrier. It was the only way she would sleep at all! The problem came up around 4 months. I took her to the doctor because her head was flat in the back. He said it would round out by 6 months. It didn't. So we had to have the DOC band for several months. Maybe the bouncer has more give under his head or if he was full term maybe it won't happen. I just wanted to say watch out for it! The doc band was not a bad experience but it was a lot of work. Good luck!

I would be sure and consult a cardio specialist. It may be that she is just spoiled to sleeping one way, It could also have something to do with the heart murmur, it is better to be safe and be sure.

I say do whatever it takes to get some sleep until about 4 months. It may be easier now, but even though she probably won't have to sleep upright as an adult, it will be a problem you'll wished you'd taken care of sooner than later. Get the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It was a lifesaver for me. I did let both my boys sleep on their stomachs. I tried for weeks w/my first and then just let him sleep how he was most comfortable. I don't know a lot about sids, but I just think you have to put it in God's hands. I have a hard time believing that much of what we as parents do could cause this horrible thing to happen (you know what I mean). Anyway, good luck to you and even though she may not need the seat at 10, can you really stand to be dealing with this at age 3, 4 or 5? Enjoy your sweet girl...it will get so much easier, well this part will at least :)!!

My son is almost 4 months and have yet to sleep more than an hour or 2 in his crib. He sleeps in his car seat or in our bed. He awakes very quickly when in his bed even when nicely swaddle. I think if she is sleeping that long at night than don't change it. My son sleeps very little during the day and wakes a few times at night. I have a friend whose daughter is 9 months and still sleeps in her infant car seat. As long as the baby is safe I wouldn't worry too much about where she is sleeping. My middle son didn't sleep through the night and was in our bed quite a bit and is now 5 and sleeps in his own bed and has no sleeping issues.

Tracy--If she likes to be on her tummy and you are concerned about SIDS--you could always get a bed monitor--BabySense baby monitor is what we used for my son--until he was like 2! It allowed me to sleep at night and not worry that he was not breathing. Another thing to worry about with the baby in the bouncer or swing or carrier to often--is that it can cause plagiocephaly, which is a flattening of the head and requires a DOC band to help round it out. We encountered this too--and it was a difficult couple of months--but so worth it!

Both my sons napped in their bouncy seats until about 6-7 months-both were well over the weight limit, but as long as the thing still moved, who cares! They did sleep in their crib at night most of the time, but some nights when they just wouldn't sleep, we put them in their bouncy and they slept the rest of the night. That is probably why both my sons sleep so well in the car-2 minutes and they are out! I say as long as she is healthy and everyone is sleeping, why worry about it now. She will transition to her crib when the time comes. When will that be? You'll know. Enjoy your new daughter!!

When my son was born he had issues sleeping on his back b/c of allergies. When laid on his back he couldn't breathe well and his doctor explained he didn't understand to breathe through his mouth. So his nose would stop up and then he would start screaming. My dad bought him a bassinet that can be adjusted into a reclined position. It was a travel bassinet but we used it daily. Talk about a life saver!! I could buckle him in so he didn't side down and he would sleep for hours. Eventually he had no problems sleeping on his back. I wouldn't worry too much. All my friends ended up borrowing the bassinet. In fact it's the only thing I saved!

Both my kids slept in their bouncy seat for a long time. My first until he was 6 months (he rolled over late and had reflux) and my 2nd until almost 4 months. Both transitioned fine to the crib and have always been great sleepers. Just follow your little girl's cues. When she seems too crowded in the seat or starts sitting up in it, it's time to transition. As for now, just enjoy the good nights sleep!!

Have you taken her to a pediatric chiropractor to see if she has a spinal misalignment that is causing her discomfort? It sounds like she doesn't want to move her neck or extending her back straight. Alot of babies undergo alot of spinal trauma during the birthing process and it may be a simple fix that a chiropractor can help you with. I can refer you to a good one if you would like.
A.

Like you said, if everything else is good, don't worry too much. Have you tried putting her on her side? She may like that better and the SIDS risk is minimal, especially using a positioner. It may be less a position problem and more a bed preference. My daughter very early picked one bed that was her sleeping place and NOWHERE else. I don't know how she could tell but she would only sleep in her bed.