Baby Swing Safety

Parental Guides

Approximately 1,000 infant swing injuries occur yearly. Although there are no safety standards for baby swings, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued recommendations for parents. Companies notify consumers of product recalls from the information they receive on registration cards, so make sure to promptly mail the card back to the manufacturer.

Most baby swings should not be used once the baby reaches 25 pounds; a few accommodate weights up to 30 pounds. Using a swing when the child exceeds manufacturer's recommended weight limits can cause the unit to topple over. Most important of all, never leave the baby and swing unattended.

Structure and Harness System

Three-point harness systems do not keep an active and squirmy baby from hanging over the sides of the swing. This can lead to serious injuries. A five-point harness system prevents leaning and is the most secure on the market.

The swinging motion may cause infants in a carrier bed attachment to slide so that their face is wedged against the side, possibly causing suffocation. Make sure that sharp edges, small parts, and pinch points are all out of reach of tiny fingers and toes.

A baby swing with a low center of gravity and a wide base is unlikely to tip over. The bottom of the frame should not extend so far out that adults or other children stumble over it. Seats with crotch straps/posts keep the baby from sliding out. Operating a swing at too high of a speed can lead to injuries.

A Final Note

Supervise children playing near the baby swing, and never have them monitor the baby and swing. As a rule, someone who needs supervising should not be in charge of your baby's safety.