Ok, I bought a baby swing when I was pregnant and maybe put DS in it a few times when he was first born. Then I read in a book that the baby swing was one of the worst inventions (I think the Baby Whisperer book). I can't remember what her logic was, but it made me feel guilty so I put it away for the next four months. WEEELLLL, last week I really had to get something done that was going to take at least an hour and I knew DS was not going to sleep for that long in his crib. SO, I got the swing out and thought I would give it a try around his nap time. Low and Behold, the little guy slept for 2 hours in it! Now, my DS never naps in his crib that long and I have always felt like he was sleep deprived cause he is kinda cranky most of the time at home. After that 2 hour nap, I noticed a change in him. He had SO much energy and is now about to crawl any day now. I don't know if it was cause he got some good rest in or it is just the timing of his age but he seemed to be in a better mood the rest of the day. Today, I put him in it again to see if that 2 hours was just a fluke...nope....he is still asleep going on 2 hours.

The problem with sticking him in the swing is that I feel guilty. I could possibly rock him in my arms for 2 hours but I live in Hawaii and we are both sweating most of the time (no central air) and it's too hot to be holding him that long not to mention I wouldn't get much done. Has anyone else used the swing? I don't remember a discussion about swings, so I thought I would come to my favorite place for advice. You can be frank with me about your opinion about swings. I am totally open to your thoughts.

TIA!

I used the swing for naps! Or for entertainment in the same room I was in while emptying DW, cooking...I just talked to him and he swang and jabbered and slept peacefully....
I don't see anything different than napping in a crib...actually I like it more becasue he was always in the same room with me even while sleeping and I felt more in contact and more attentive that way than in a crib alone.....just my opinion though!
You have to use the resources you have to keep ya sane and get your other work done too...and alternative forms of stimulation and movement keep their little minds working and gives a nice break from the norm for fun for them!! I don't suggest just sitting them in the thing all day, that's not what I'm getting at, but for small chores and naps they'd normally take anyway...let them sleep where they'll sleep the best!

I love my swing! I used it all the time with ds #1; he hated the crib for a looong time - didn't nap in it for months, he would just scream in there, but in the swing he would nap. Ds # 2 didn't like the swing - he liked the Jumperoo instead. If the baby is happy and you get to do what you need to do, don't worry about it. On very rare occassions, it is ok to put the baby down ;)
I think they like the swing better bec it cradles them and yes the motion helps alot, too; my ped said that babies, especially younger ones can be frightened of the open space the crib gives because it is so different from how they were always snugly held in the womb. There is also always movement in there - even when we are not moving our bodies, our organs work around the clock.

we use our swing for sleeping because of reflux issues - do what's best for you, sistah!!

I never did the swing thing, but I have also never heard of there being anything wrong with it. My ds just didn't like it and I didn't happen to have one for dd. I agree that you should just do what works during the early months; it's not like they will swing 'til they're 3 ;)

I have a big swing in the living room and a little portable one I carry around the house with me, sometimes it's the only way I can get a shower or get dishes done, etc. He really enjoys it and lets me know when he has had enough. I personally think it's good to let them sleep in different places anyways that way if you are away from home they are used to different places. I don't see anything wrong with them as long as you don't stick them in it and leave them all day and shoot, if he sleeps that well in it I would certainly let him swing away! :-D

I'm curious, what negative thing have you read about them?

I've found that with each of my four kiddos I've done things differently, some have loved the swing and some have not. Our latest one used it only rarely at home but often at church, we had one of the front-back models and the church had a side-side. She really preferred the latter. I ended up putting mine away by about 4mths. She is 12mths now and walking everywhere but if we're at church and she gets a bit tired she will actually climbed up into a swing and wait to be buckled in. Since she's a bitty one, she still fits well.

I think that the key with lots of things is moderation, excessive time in swings or exercausers etc. could be harmful I'm sure, but have never heard specific info. about swings being bad or dangerous.

my oldest didn't care for it unless he was sleepy. Bri was ok with it if he was watching Einstein or sleepy, but Patrick, the baby, had Piloric Stenosis and sever reflux, and we felt safer with him sleeping in the swing b/c he was upright. he prefered the swing, too, b/c his next older bro is only 11 months older and he was "away" from him. Granted now, he'll just knock Bri out of his way and go on about his business (he's a whopping 7 pounds bigger than his brother, LOL) But in all honesty, there's nothing wrong with the swing, as long as you're not putting baby in there and walking off to do your own thing. I know a girl who kept her little fella in the swing and just left him there all day. She's prop a bottle and go about her business. When the bottle was empty, she'd change him and he'd sleep. Basically the swing was the kids mama. THAT, I have a problem with. But normal, "helper" usage, comforting usage, etc. I think are great if the child likes it. Some kids will only calm down in that swinging movement, and we may be as close to superman as it gets, but even a mama can't swing a baby as much as it will need if that's the child's particular desire of comfort. (Trust me, I've tried, LOL)

Oh, honey...Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves as moms. Yes, like Kana, if a child eats, sleeps, and otherwise lives in the swing all day long and it's basically his "mechanical mother", I believe that's abusing the swing rather than using it. But if it helps him get a good nap and if you otherwise use it for maybe a half hour at a time while he's awake so that you can get something done and he's happy and you're happy...then go for it! And don't feel guilty!

Oh yes, we loved our swing!! There were many days that I would not have gotten much rest if it were not for the swing. I would put ds in there with a full belly and clean pants and let him go until he was ready to be out. It honestly saved my sanity some days. He was nursing every 3 hours for weeks and that was the only time he would nap for longer than 30 - 60 minutes.

Baby needs a happy healthy mommy, no guilt here! :)

I think swings are fine as long as kiddos still have lots of floor time to explore and use their muscles. I'm 36 and I still love to sit in my porch swing! It's fun : )

Honey, do what you gotta do. There are a lot things people will say is good or not good for your kid. but in the end you have to decide. if it helps you be a better mother/wife because he sleeps 2 hours in then use it. especially if he seems much happier.
I wish Abby loved her swing but she really didn't. This time aroud I got the graco soothing center. (look it up) it is the deluxe swing of all swings. IMO. My favorite part is it plugs in, so there aren't any batteries. My second favorite part, if we come home from church or wherever and he is asleep in his car seat, I can take the seat off the swing and put his car seat on it.
I'm really praying that the swing will be my answer to getting some rest and things done around the house. With Abby I was a walking zombie, and I struggled just to get my house work done.
My opinion. You gotta do what you gotta do![praying]

I am also curious what was said bad about the swing. I loved my swing for as long as Josh was able to sit still in it. I think I started using mine right around the same age as Isreal. I say USE IT. especially if it is helping you both out! Don't feel bad about it either. like pp said, as long as he doesn't LIVE in it, it's not a problem.