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A baby rocker is a very useful solution that allows you to keep an eye on your baby and perform other activities at the same time. The baby rocker allows you to take the baby to the bathroom, for example, when we go to take a bath – the baby can then watch his mother and is calm that she has not suddenly disappeared from his field of view, while the mother can easily indulge in nursing procedures with the baby with her.
What does a baby rocker look like and what are its functions?
The baby rocker is a small rocker-rocker with a handle that allows you to move the rocker anywhere. A child is placed in the bouncer, who can sleep in it or observe the surroundings from it. The baby rocker has straps that fasten the baby so that it does not fall out, but the baby should never be left unattended in the rocker. The baby rocker is rocking back and forth – the baby may be able to push away so that the rocker tilts dangerously forward.
It should be remembered that the baby rocker is set in motion by the caregiver’s rocking, but the child can also turn on the rocking function or make the rocker move with its body. That is why you must not leave the child alone in the rocker, even if he / she is sleeping soundly at the moment.
The rockers keep the child in a bent position, which may lead to blockage of the child’s airways and restriction of air flow (when the child falls asleep in the rocker propped upwards, his head may fall forward, pressing his chin on the chest). Babies are also at risk of rolling onto their stomachs or sideways in the rocker, with the risk of suffocation, and the baby rocker must not be placed on unstable ground or at a high height, such as on a table.
A baby rocker is not a place where a child should spend all day. Rather, it is used to move the child from place to place and take him with you, for example, to the bathroom or to visit. This is a place where you can put your baby down for a while, not his day bed – although some baby rockers also have the function of a cot, folding out flat. For a child, however, it is very important in the first months of life to lie on the tummy, which is impossible in a rocking chair for babies.
It is recommended that the child should not be in the rocker for more than 2 to 3 hours a day.
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Types of baby rockers
Baby rockers differ in the material from which they are made, but above all in the way they are intended for. The manufacturer should specify the weight and height of the child that can be carried in the baby rocker.
Some rockers for babies have attached bows with toys and vibrations and pre-loaded melodies that the child can turn on with the movement of the body. They also have a rocking function that can be turned on (or off) by a child in a similar way, i.e. by body movement.
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Which baby rocker should you choose?
When you decide to buy a baby rocker, first of all, it is worth being guided by the sense and safety of the child. The rocker for an infant should be made of certified materials and be relatively stable so as to make it difficult for the child to tilt the rocker forward. A good choice is a rocker that “grows” with the child and one that can be used later as a seat (just block the skids in the rocker).
Models of baby rockers available on the market are equipped with 3-point or 5-point belts. You should pay attention to this element of the rocker, because the child’s safety depends on it. Additionally, it is good if it will be equipped with anti-slip protection.
Except that the baby rocker should be able to remove the upholstery and thus wash it. A child can easily get the rocker dirty, so it’s good if we can keep it clean without any problems. The upholstery itself should be made of a material that is nice and pleasant to the touch, as well as durable.
The stores also offer rockers for babies with the function of a cot – they unfold so that the child can lie flat in them.
The rocker for an infant should be selected according to the age and height of the child: it should sit steadily in it and feel confident. It is also important that the baby rocker is light so that the baby can be easily carried in it.
It is a good idea to choose a rocking chair for babies with a headband with toys and melodies – it takes the child’s attention and we can take care of other things during this time, for example cooking dinner.
When to buy a baby rocker?
Before you buy a baby rocker, you should check when you can use a given model. It is assumed that the child can use the rocker when he is 3 months oldotherwise, we may cause changes in the toddler’s muscle tone (in the child’s posture). In addition to age, you also need to pay attention to the weight of the child and choose a rocker model with an appropriate weight limit. If the child weighs more than the manufacturer of the given model allows, the rocker may fall over and break, which may endanger the child’s health.
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Disadvantages of a rocker for an infant
When deciding to buy a rocker for a baby, you must first get acquainted with its disadvantages. Some say that a child lying in the rocker, due to little movement ability, may develop problems with the spine and hips. According to pediatricians, baby rockers put a strain on the spine and negatively affect the child’s body shape and posture.
The disadvantages of baby rockers include the often high price and time for which they last (from 5 to 6 months or less if the toddler is large and tries to sit up quickly).
If you notice that your child has concerns about rocking, you should immediately report it to the pediatrician, as it may be a sign of a muscle tone disorder.
Baby rocker – rocking effect
Children love rocking. According to specialists, this is due to the fact that rocking is a movement that babies already have contact with in utero (the baby is rocking in the mother’s belly as she moves). Rhythmic forward and backward movement calms them down and gives them a sense of security, being in a motionless bed makes them anxious because it is unnatural.
Interestingly, according to neurologists, rhythmic forward and backward movements affect the stimulation of the child’s vestibular brain system. In addition, it regulates muscle tone, supports visual and auditory perception, is responsible for the correct body posture and balance, and supports the ability to concentrate attention. According to research data, infants who were rocked frequently started to sit up, crawl much faster and learned better. Such babies performed better than children who were not rocking during their childhood.
Can children be fed on a rocker?
Yes, most rockers can be used while feeding your baby. You will need to properly position your baby for feeding. However, special care should be taken as a little carelessness may cause the baby to choke on food due to incorrect positioning.
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