The No Cry Nap Solution (27 page)

you use when you settle your baby in your arms.

•
B—Buckled:
Snug in her seat, your baby’s own movements

don’t startle her awake. In addition, she isn’t free to move

around, play, explore, and thus evade sleep. She’s cradled in

a cozy space, much like being encased in the womb.

Those four components together create a sleep-inducing envi-

ronment for a baby—they soothe him and help him relax and fall

asleep. Additionally, every time a baby shifts between sleep cycles

or if noises wake him up, these components can lull him back to

sleep before he fully wakes, resulting in a nice, long nap.

We often add a fi fth item to this list without even realizing it.

The swing or bouncer is usually in the main part of the house

near
people
, and the crib is off in a room by itself. Since babies

are naturally drawn to being with the people they love, the infant

seat or swing has another advantage over the crib. Your presence

and the quiet voices and noises of the household can be a sooth-

ing addition to your baby’s nap environment.

Swinging, Bouncing, Vibrating, or Gliding
169

Babies who suffer from colic, refl ux, colds, or other medical ail-

ments can benefi t from yet another feature: the slight incline of

the cradle, which can alleviate some of their discomfort. Babies

with special needs and sensory integration issues can often benefi t

from daily naps in a swing, rocker, hammock, or bouncer—ask

your medical care professional for more information.

Professional-Speak

“Throughout time, parents have had kith and kin to lend

hands of support. In today’s mini-families, a swing or a sling

can help replace that missing extra pair of hands you need

to comfort your baby.”

—Harvey Karp, M.D., author and creator of the book, CD, and

DVD The Happiest Baby on the Block

The Negative Aspects of Motion Naps

As it seems is always the case in parenting, no matter how great

something seems, there always has to be another side of the story.

Motion naps are not perfect; they do have their bad side. Here are

the potential problems and a few tips to overcome them:

• If your baby gets accustomed to napping in his swing, glider, or

infant seat, then you may be forced to either stay home at all nap-

times or deal with an overtired, cranky baby. The good news is that

most often babies who sleep in these devices will also sleep well in a

stroller or in your arms. So, if you are willing to hold your napping

baby in a restaurant, at a movie, or at a friend’s home, then you’ve

solved the majority of issues related to this potential problem.

• Convincing your baby to nap while traveling can be com-

plicated if you can’t bring the swing or seat with you on your trip.

170 Solving Napping Problems

There is a possibility that you can borrow or rent a swing. Check

with rental companies that rent lawn and garden equipment and

party supplies; they often have baby swings. A travel-size swing,

cradle, or small bouncer or vibrating seat is a good option to take

along with you on a trip. You can also bring along a folding stroller

that can even be used indoors. Or bring an easy-to-pack sling and

carry your baby for naps. (For more tips on travel, see page 223.)

• You’ll have to make a change to a stationary bed at some

point. All swings, seats, and gliders have size and weight limits,

and for good reasons. A baby who is too big can cause the appa-

ratus to tip over. A baby who is too old might roll or climb out, or

reach out to pull down an attachment or connection. Very often

by the time babies outgrow their swings, they are developmentally

Daddy Matthew Sr. and Alyssa Maria, fi ve months old

Swinging, Bouncing, Vibrating, or Gliding
171

ready to move to a stationary bed for their naps. Further in this

chapter you’ll fi nd many ideas for making the change once you are

ready.

• If your baby is content in his swing, there is the risk that

you’ll overuse the device. Even if you believe that excess use of

baby holders is not in your child’s best interest, overuse can sneak

up on you. One of the ways to avoid being drawn into the overuse

of baby holders is to decide that you’ll use them
only
for naptime

and avoid having your baby in the seat when he is awake. That’s

the time for parent-baby interaction.

Protecting That Sweet Little Head

When your baby sleeps in a seat of any kind, he will have little

ability to move his head in different positions. If your baby also

spends awake hours in seats (swings, bouncers, car seats) or even

lying on his back in a crib, he may be at risk for developing a

fl at area on the back of his head (called
positional plagiocephaly

or
fl athead syndrome
). By being aware of this, you can take steps

to protect your baby. There are several ways to avoid positional

plagiocephaly.

• Reduce the number of hours your baby spends in reclined

seats of any kind or lying on his back during
waking hours
.

• When you put your baby down to sleep, vary the position of

his head; slightly turn his head to the left, right, or center

instead of always laying him nose up.

• Move the location of the seat every day or two so that the

things your baby sees before she falls asleep and when she

wakes up are on the opposite sides of her.

• Be certain that your baby has plenty of time every day

being held upright, since when you carry your baby, there

is no pressure on the back part of the skull. Being held also

strengthens your baby’s muscles, preparing him to hold

himself upright.

172 Solving Napping Problems

• Make sure that your baby has lots of tummy time for play

during the day. This not only avoids pressure on the back

of the head, but it also help your baby develop his neck and

back muscles.

• Vary the locations of your baby’s toys and mobiles so that

your baby isn’t always looking the same direction.

• Alternate the direction of your baby when you change dia-

pers, feed, carry, or play.

• Put a folded baby washcloth under the padding of the swing

on alternating sides of your baby’s headrest or under his

shoulder to slightly change the angle of pressure on your

baby’s head. Switch the position every day or two.

• Alternate your baby’s position from one side to the other

when holding, breastfeeding, or bottlefeeding.

Safe Sleeping in a Swing, Bouncer, or Glider

If you choose to have your baby take naps in a swing, bouncy seat,

or glider, there are some important safety factors for you to be

aware of. Keep the following information in mind:

• For naps, use a cradle-style bed in lieu of an upright chair-

style seat. You want your baby lying as close to the same position

she would in a crib as possible: fl at on her back. Daily naps in the

seated position can negatively affect development of the back, hips,

and legs. A baby who sleeps in a seated position can slump over, and

this can hinder his breathing. Adjust the seat to tilt back as much as

possible, and use a cushioned head support to prevent slumping.

• Keep your baby near you or invest in a quality baby moni-

tor and check on your baby frequently. Safety experts recommend

that you not leave your baby alone if he is sleeping in a swing or

infant seat unless it is specifi cally made for solitary sleep.

• Use the slowest, gentlest speed that settles your baby. If your

baby requires a high speed to be able to fall asleep, you can work

toward slowing this down over a period of time. When you make

Swinging, Bouncing, Vibrating, or Gliding
173

changes by small increments, it’s likely your baby will accept the

change, particularly if all other parts of his routine remain the

same.

• Turn the swing or vibration off or to its lowest setting once

your baby is asleep so that she isn’t swinging or vibrating at high

speed for the entire nap. Turn the swing back on if your baby

begins to wake up before an appropriate length of naptime. If he’s

between sleep cycles, this will help him fall back to sleep.

• Always use the safety harness and straps properly, according

to the directions provided with the product.

• Never place a swing or seat on a table, counter, or other ele-

vated surface.

• Never leave a baby alone with a dog or a toddler. The dog

might “chase” the moving swing or try to play with the baby or

the toys. A protective dog might respond and “help” the baby if he

cries. A toddler might attempt to play with the baby or help him

and wake him up or, worse, accidentally knock the swing over.

• Read and follow the instructions and safety information that

comes with the product, including weight limitations.

Mother-Speak

“My daughter had colic. I tried everything under the sun to

get her to nap in the afternoon, but all she did was cry. Even

carrying her in my arms didn’t work—I would walk with her

for hours, and she never stopped crying. This made me feel

drained and helpless. I discovered that when I swaddled

her and put her in the swing she would fall asleep easily and

sleep for two hours. There was absolutely no way I would

have been able to survive colic without the swing. I am slowly

weaning her now, and it is taking a lot of patience. But those

months of peace were defi nitely worth it for both of us.”

—Natalia, mother of seven-month-old Eva

174 Solving Napping Problems

Buying the Right Product

When shopping for a swing, hammock, or bouncy seat, take plenty

of time to choose the right product. If possible, bring your baby

along and experiment with the fl oor model. He may not take to it

immediately (especially in the store environment), but it will give

you an idea of how he fi ts and how easy it is to use. Take time to

compare options and consider these points:

• Purchase only a new product, as safety features are

improved constantly. Older, used swings, bouncers, and

seats may not be safe for your sleeping baby.

• Check to be sure there is a stable base and sturdy

construction.

• Look for a certifi cation from the Juvenile Products Manu-

facturers Association or other formal safety organization.

• Consider neutral colors and fewer frills, since bright colors

and attachments can be interesting for a playful baby but

distracting if your baby is trying to sleep.

• Choose a product that has soft lullaby music, white noise,

nature sounds, or no sounds at all. Whether a swing has

built-in sound is a minor consideration, though, since you

can use another source for this.

• Pick a swing or chair with an accessible seat that allows you

easy-in, easy-out access, especially for a sleeping baby.

• Choose a cozy, cradle-style seat for comfortable sleeping,

sized for your baby now and months from now, if possible.

Read the package for size and weight restrictions.

• Listen for a pleasant sound while the motor is running. Lis-

ten for one that will be soothing to your baby and to you.

• Pick a product with a volume button for the music or

sounds,
plus
an on/off button to turn off the sounds inde-

pendently of the motion, so you can have your baby swing

without the sound.

Swinging, Bouncing, Vibrating, or Gliding
175

• Shop for a product with a secure fi ve-point harness system

that will keep your baby safe from becoming entangled or

slipping out of the swing.

• Choose a model with variable speeds and possibly several

swinging directions so that you can adjust it to suit your

baby.

• If possible, choose a model with a timer that can turn the

swing or vibration off after your baby is sleeping.

• Pick a model with a removable toy bar that can be taken

off for naptime, as these can be distracting if you want your

baby to sleep.

• Look for a model with a removable, machine-washable cover.