Almost two week old....will sitting him in his swing too long cause back problems?

Question

he loves his swing, he sleeps in it a lot, and at night sleep laying flat on his back or on his side....but during the day is in a sitting position in his swing. is this going to cause problems for his back? or is it okay to leave him sleeping in it?

Answer 1

It's hard to say. I don't think it'd do anything but just to be safe, I don't think you should let him sleep in it. Better to be safe than sorry. He can still play in it during the day though, I don't think that'd be a problem. Plus, it'll be good to take him out of it so he can look forward to being in it more and will have more fun. So what's his name?

Answer 2

I don't know about his back but it will cause problems for his head depending on how long he is in there per day.  if your talking for an hour a few times through the day, i think he'd be fine but too much more than that will cause his head to mis shape.  It will push one side of his head (check bone and ear) forward and leave an extremley flat spot at the back of his head.

I know this because it has happened to 2 of my friends, one becuase she had to leave her daughter upright all the time due to very very bad acid reflux and one because the baby was just happier I guess in the swing.

If your doing this because he is happier and he cries a lot if layed down, this may be due to a medical problem.  Google acid reflux and colic and see if he has nay of these symptoms, if your sure nothing is "wrong" with him then I would try and break the habit.  It'll be better for both of you in the long run.  Good luck:)

Answer 3

http://www.oandp.org/jpo/library/2003_03...

These infants often developed an increase in posterior head height and "squaring" or "cornering" of the head. Normal use of car seats, carriers, swings and bouncy seats is not a concern; however, caution is warranted for infants who spend extended periods of time in these devices. The constant pressure these devices apply to the back of the cranium may perpetuate the deformation.

The recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)1 that infants sleep on their backs to reduce sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been frequently cited as the reason for the recent increase in the number of infants developing deformational plagiocephaly.2-5 Although the number of infants presenting with this condition is on the rise, and although it is difficult to ignore the apparent "cause and effect" relationship, supine sleeping position is not the only contributing factor.6-9 Other changes paralleling the introduction of the 'Back To Sleep' campaign may also contribute to the higher incidence of plagiocephaly seen today.10,11 These include: the practice of prohibiting soft bedding material that would normally help cushion the infant's soft cranium, use of firmer mattresses, a decrease in the amount of time an infant spends in the prone position while awake, and, as we report here, the frequent use of car seats, infant carriers, bouncy seats, and infant swings.

In recent years, we have seen a number of infants whose deformities seem to be associated with the extended use of these devices. The cranial distortion that occurs is generally more severe than the more common forms of plagiocephaly from sleeping supine on a mattress. The resulting head shape is often more complex than the typical parallelogram deformity commonly described.4,12 The distortion frequently results in multiple planes of asymmetry, increased posterior head height, and in some instances even "cornering" or "squaring" of the head

http://www.mothering.com/articles/growin...

Poor Positioning For Infants

Plagiocephaly is not the only problem associated with heavy use of car seats. According to Dr. Jeanne Ohm, executive coordinator of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (www.icpa4kids.com), many infants in strollers or car seats constantly tilt their heads to one side or the other. “That’s a good indication that their upper cervical spine is out of alignment,” says Ohm. Short periods spent in a car seat are fine, but “keeping them in that position where it’s easiest for their head just to fall off to the side—that leads to further spinal stress later on in life.” Ohm prefers to see parents carry infants in their arms and use different types of carriers. “Offering a variety of carriers supports correct postural development for the child.”

Answer 4

No it won't unless you leave him in there 24/7 which I highly doubt you do, Thats what the swing was meant for he's fine in it!  

Answer 5

the only thing it might do is cause him to have a flat head. make sure he gets tummy time too.

Answer 6

No, it won't. Newborns are used to being curled up anyway (he was like that for 9 months in your tummy!).  I asked my pediatrician this same question when my baby was born and she assured me it was just fine!