Exersaucers and swings are popular with both parents and many child care providers. Could you say something about their use?

Answer (contributed by Alice Eberhart-Wright): My own feeling is that there has to be careful rationale and individualization for use of swings and xersaucers. Never should babies be left in them for long periods of time, but they may be used carefully with the following guidelines: * some fussy babies may benefit from the motion of swings and with special needs children, there may be a prescriptive use from a Part C (early intervention) team * if a child care educator has 4 babies that often demand attention at the same time (diapering, feeding, comforting), an exersaucer or swing might be used to help them wait a few minutes * active babies who require a lot of stimulation and variety may benefit from short stints in an exersaucer or swing, but the caregiver should be careful to limit the amount of time that this activity is used. Perhaps it is most useful to get parents and providers to think about what is most important for babies -- that nothing substitutes for the relationship ...  more