Baby rockers and their cousin, baby bouncers, are often baby registry staples. After all, new parents need somewhere to put their precious bundle when theyre not sleeping in SNOO, chillin in the stroller, or nestled in the baby carrier. But baby rockers have picked up a bad reputation lately.and for good reason. In June , it was reported that baby rockers were associated with more than a dozen baby deaths. Does this mean you should dispose of your baby rocker ASAP or nix it from your baby registry? Heres what parents need to know about baby rockers.
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What is a baby rocker?
Baby rockers are inclined baby seats that have a curved base, so they rock when you give it a slight push. Some baby rockers also feature vibration or rock by themselves thanks to electricity or battery power. A baby bouncer, on the other hand, has a flat base, so it gets its bounce from a gentle touchbaby kicks.
Are baby rockers safe?
Baby rockerswhen used exclusively as directedare safe. But oftentimes, baby rockers are not used correctlyand thats where the danger lies. Here are tips for using your childs baby rocker safely:
DONT let your baby sleep in a baby rocker.
Never (as in, never ever) use an inclined baby product, like a baby rocker, a baby swing, or a baby bouncer, for infant sleep. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently finalized a rule requiring that infant sleep products have a sleep surface angle of 10 degrees or less, which further stresses that inclined baby rockers are never to be used for sleep. After all, between and , at least 14 infants died after falling asleep in Fisher-Price and Kids2 baby rockers. The only safe place for an infant to sleep is on their back and on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard with no soft loose objects in their sleep space.
DO always strap your baby into the baby rocker.
When babies are not properly secured into their baby rockers, they can easily roll into an unsafe position. A babys weak muscles coupled with the baby rockers incline means its that much more difficult for a baby to roll back to a safe position. In addition, babies can simply slide right out of the baby rocker if theyre not properly secured.
DO supervise your baby when theyre in a baby rocker.
Another never-ever: Never leave your baby in a baby rocker (or any inclined baby product) unsupervised. If you are not watching, you wont know if your baby has inadvertently dozed off or moved into an unsafe position. In some cases the restraining belt can potentially slide up and cut off your babys airflow, leading to suffocation or strangulation. And when babies sleep at an incline, their heavy heads can easily flop forward. Because babies neck muscles are weak, they often dont have the strength to pick their head upwhich can cause suffocation. Baby rockers also sometimes feature plush sides, which pose an additional suffocation risk if your baby leans their face into the soft surface.
DONT use bedding in a baby rocker.
Soft, loose beddingand other soft objectsare big no-nos for the crib or bassinetand theyre a no-no for the baby rocker, too. Again, babies can too easily turn their faces into a plush blanket or stuffed toy and suffocate. Even if you are supervising your baby with an eagle eye, its still best to keep the baby rocker free of extraneous bedding.
DO keep the baby rocker on the floor.
Never place your baby rocker on a countertop, table, or other elevated surface where the rockerand babycould fall to the floor. Same goes for soft surfaces like beds and sofas. Not only would this make it possible for your little one to fall onto the floor, but if the rocker tips it creates a suffocation risk as well.
DONT use recalled baby rockers.
Before buying or using a baby rockeror any product for your babysearch for it on recalls.gov to find out if its still safe to use. Recalled baby items (including inclined sleepers) can sometimes linger at secondhand shops, friends basements, and daycare centers. Heres a short list of recent baby rocker and inclined sleeper recalls:
Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Rock n Glide Soother
Fisher-Price 2-in-1 Soothe n Play Glider
Fisher-Price Rock n Play
Delta Children Beauty Rest Beginnings Incline Sleeper
Delta Children Deluxe 3-in-1 Activity Rocker, Feeder and Sleeper
Disney Baby Minnie Mouse Incline Sleeper
Graco Little Lounger Rocking Seat
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Kids II Rocking Sleeper
Simmons Kids Beautyrest Deluxe 3-in-1 Activity Rocker, Feeder, and Sleeper
Summer Infant SwaddleMe By Your Bed Sleeper
What if your baby falls asleep in a baby rocker?
While no one ever wants to move a sleeping baby, its very important to relocate your little one as soon as possible, notes the American Academy of Pediatrics. Not only will moving your baby to a flat and empty bassinet or crib help keep them safe, itll teach them that bassinets and cribsnot baby rockersare for sleep. (When out-of-the-bassinet ZZZs regularly occur, your baby will start to learn that sleepytime happens in all these placesbut not the bassinet.)
If you catch your sleepy baby before the ZZZs come, thats even better: Take your baby out of the baby rocker when theyre calm and on the verge of sleepand then gently place them in their bassinet. And if your baby dozes before you make the transition, gently rouse them with a slight tickle until their eyes open. After a few seconds, their eyes will close again and slide back to sleep. This wake-and-sleep practice is the first step to help your baby learn that they have the power to self soothe and sleep outside of the baby rocker.
What about baby swings?
Baby swingsmuch like baby rockers and bouncerscan be a great way for parents to catch a bit of a break, all while entertaining or soothing their baby. And, just like baby rockers and bouncers, its not safe for babies to sleep in swings. You should promptly move your little snoozer from the baby swing to a safe sleep space, like their bassinet. Thats because your babys head can fall forward, possibly obstructing their airway, and causing suffocation. And if a baby is accidentally left unrestrained in a baby swing, they can roll over and asphyxiate.
Is SNOO a baby rocker?
No. While the award-winning, pediatrician-designed SNOO does rock babies all night (and nap) long, SNOO is not a baby rocker. Unlike baby rockers, SNOO is designed for safe sleep. In SNOO babies sleep safely on a flat surface, securely swaddled on their backs, which helps prevent rolling to an unsafe position during sleep. SNOO is so safe, in fact, that over 100 hospitals all over the world place their smallest patients in SNOO. (Learn why rocking bassinets are fantastic at soothing babies.)
Do Leg Lifters turn SNOO into an inclined rocker?
No. SNOO Leg Lifters raise your babys head a mere 2.5 degrees to help reduce stuffy noses. That gentle incline is well under the 10-degree limit that the CPSC has deemed unsafe.
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Heres what to research and watch for while purchasing a baby swing.
Even if it is meant for an infant, a swing can be quite large and occupy plenty of space in your room. It is hence better to measure your space before you buy a swing.
Anything you buy for your bub needs to be sturdy enough to accommodate them safely but with swings, the build quality matters even more. After all, you will leave your baby inside rocking and swinging in different motions.
Since swings are padded to provide enough comfort to your baby, consider choosing a model that allows you to remove the layers of padding as your baby grows. This is because once your baby starts getting older, a lot of padding will occupy too much room in the seat, giving your bub a little space to sit comfortably.
If your budget allows, prioritize picking up a swing that has more variable vibrations so that your baby can enjoy various motions as per their mood.
Infant swings have reclined seats to let your bub lie flat until they cant hold their head up on their own whereas a sit up baby swing is perfect for older babies and toddlers who can support their head and neck. It is hence better to consider a model that allows you to adjust the seat recline as your baby grows.
Whether the swings seat is adjustable or it is a sit up baby swing meant for babies older than 6 months, choose a model that has a three or five-point safety harness to prevent your little one from slipping out of the upright seat.
If you are more inclined towards portability within the home or for travel purposes, look for models that are easier to carry or fold.
Moreover, choose a model that is easy to assemble and use without any hassles.
Some baby swings are manual while others use some power source to run, such as batteries or electricity. While battery run swings are more portable, they require timely battery charging and replacements. Electric swings are more convenient but less portable.
It is not necessary to pay a premium price to get high-quality items with all the specifications you need. You can buy the best and safe swing with many value-added features even with budget-friendly and medium-ranged swings. All you need is to look for the bestselling models by some of the major brands. However, you should not compromise your babys safety just to save a few bucks.
Furthermore, extra features like light projectors, motorized mobile, hanging rattles or charms, music and soothing sounds, and even connection to an MP3 source to let you play whatever music you want can turn your swing into invaluable baby gear to keep your little bundle of joy happy and occupied.
Last but not least, if you are buying a new baby swing or listing it on your baby registry, make sure it meets the safety regulations as set forth by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If you are using an old swing, always check that the model hasnt been recalled on the official websites of JPMA and CPSC.
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