What Are The Benefits of Baby Swings?
The body is an incredible machine. The speed and number of changes in a baby is mind bending!! Children need lots of play to help with this development - the right kinds of structured and unstructured play, as well as nutrients and love of course.
As parents, aside from doing all the essentials for bubs on limited sleep, we also need to be conscious of and encourage development in all the key areas - gross motor, fine motor, cognitive - the other essentials! And, isn't it nice to also find some time for you as well! Or even to make a nicer than "usual" meal?
That's where baby swings come in. Swinging is a suitable exercise from the time the neck is strong enough (approximately 6 months). Swing your baby gently in the beginning to get them used to swinging and not frighten them. A Solvej Swing is suitable from 6-months to 6 years (40kg). You can easily convert it from baby swing, when your toddler is around 2 1/2 years old, into a toddler swing with domes on the leg-divider.
See the full range of Solvej Baby Swings here.
Benefits of Baby Swings
1.Just for the fun of it!
YES - live life, love every day! Swing baby! Kids (and adults) love swings and why not, the wind in your hair, the feeling of weightlessness, moving through air like a bird. What is there not to love? Giggles and excitement are great for our minds and let's be honest - a giggling baby is the purest form of joy there is - no one can resist a smile when you hear it. As they get older and start to swing themselves the exercise induced endorphins will continue to have a positive effect on their mood.
2. Calming
Swinging can also be very soothing, calming and relaxing for your baby. Swinging is akin to being in mums belly; the lovely gently sway.
3.Eye Development (focusing)
Swinging is one of the best ways of helping eye development, as the baby is moving back and forth constantly changing their depth of focus. The development of changing the depth of focus starts at 6 months and is completed during the baby's second year.
4.Balance
Eyes and ears are vital when it comes to balance. During swinging, not only are the eyes being exercised, but also the fluid in the inner ear is constantly swirling back and forth, which is great for the development of balance. Swinging also helps a child develop their core muscles that helps with balance.
5.Coordination
As your little ones gets older and wants to swing more, they will start trying by themselves. It is a difficult thing to learn (and teach) and it's only through many practise sessions that kids learn how to make the swing move. This is coordination (not to mention patience). At the age of about 4 years old a child can swing by themselves and swinging is important for learning and training full body coordination.
6.Sensory system
Our sensory system that allows us to regulate our bodies and cope when the environment is loud, quiet, has a strange smell, etc... It might not seem important but a healthy sensory system is integral element of complex learning later in life. "Swinging is one of the best activities for young children to develop their sensory system. When a child swings, they are developing their ability to adapt to different sensations." When a child's sensory system is underdeveloped, it can be difficult for them to focus, and therefore as they grow learning can be challenging. Imagine a classroom, with loud noises outside, ticking clock inside. The ability to focus is invaluable.
7.Spatial awareness
Swinging increases spatial awareness.
8. Developing fine motor skill
Fine motor development through grip strength, hand, arm and finger coordination.
9.Benefits for the parents
Just when you thought we were done - there is one more! When you need a little time out, or to do some housework, go to the toilet on your own (remember that?) or cook dinner - the baby swing is that extra pair of hands you've been looking for. Especially effective in the evening, for soothing and calming the witching hour fussiness.
See the full range of Solvej Baby Swings here.
About Solvej Swings
We source all of our baby swings from Solvej (pronounced sool-vaay) Swings. We love their ethos, their craftsmanship and them!! The swings are designed and made by Thomas Mortimer and Jenny Etherington. Thomas, previously a cabinet maker and teacher, wanted to share the wonderful memories he had of swings in this own childhood with his young daughter, Solvej, and designed the first Solvej Swing for their daughter in 1993. Both are particularly passionate about design, as well as environmental and social responsibility; values that are imbued in every aspect of their business. "We want the products we use and are surrounded with to be of high quality, to buy them for a fair price, to care for the environment, and to contribute to society in more ways than just working and paying taxes. " Almost thirty years have passed, and their production remains in New Zealand with the wood and sewing workshops in local heritage buildings they are in the process of restoring. Their daughter Solvej is also continuing the family legacy in the business.
Solvej Swings Materials and Sustainability
Solvej Swings choice of timber has to fulfil the criteria of being naturally weather durable to avoid chemical treatment, and it also has to come from a planted or sustainable sources. They use a non-toxic natural Tung oil on the wood. The choice of fabric is also important, and after much consideration they decided to use a 100% acrylic canvas (with a 10-year manufacturers warrantee from fading) because it is rot-proof and easy to care for; plus suitable for outdoor and indoor usage. The rope they use on the Solvej Swings is a NZ-made soft, high performance polyester yachting braid that is not only strong but also UV and rot resistant.
See the full range of Solvej Baby Swings here.
Other resources:
MSU Extension - Early Childhood Development