Then imagine, finding this magical thing which not only rocks your baby, but also makes him or her, laugh and giggle, and hear some wonderful music? Which parent wouldn’t want this wonderful thing?
It is called a baby swing, folks! It is so useful, especially in the first year of the baby’s growth, that you would wonder how could you not buy such an amazing piece of baby gear!
| Product | Our Rating | Weight-average | Product Dimensions | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fischer Price Cradle N’Swing | 24.2 pounds | 34 x 34 x 42 inches | Check price | ||
| Graco DuetSooth Swing and Rocker | 17.9 pounds | 30.8 x 24.5 x 36 inches | Check price | ||
| 4Moms MamaRoo Baby Swing | 19 pounds | 26.2 x 9.2 x 22.5 inches | Check price | ||
| Comfort and Harmony Cozy Kingdom Portable Swing | 7 pounds | 20.1 x 6 x 21.2 inches | Check price | ||
| Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing | 17.9 pounds | 30.8 x 24.5 x 36 inches | Check price |
Contents
- 1 Why Do Parents Need Baby Swings?
- 2 What to look for in a baby swing?
- 3 Different Types of Baby Swings
- 4 Key Features of Baby Swings to be Considered While Purchasing
- 5 Our Recommendations for Best Baby Swings
- 6 Advantages of Baby Swings
- 7 What is The Difference between Baby Swings, Bouncers, and Jumpers?
- 8 FAQs
- 9 Wrapping Up
Why Do Parents Need Baby Swings?
A baby swing often seems to be a high investment and seems to occupy too much space. However, trust me, parents, a baby swing can make your life so much easier.
When my first child was born, I used to carry her ALL the time, in my arms, for the first three months of her life. I was so foolish that I did not realize what a savior a baby swing can be. So just before I delivered my second baby, my husband put his foot down and said we were investing in a baby swing. And I couldn’t thank him enough for it.
My life seemed so much easier because I would put my baby in the swing, and she would entertain herself and lull herself to sleep. I did not have to carry her all the time, and she was not cranky after lying down for a long time.
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What to look for in a baby swing?
Often, parents tend to think that the most expensive baby swing will be the best for their child. But in reality, that is not the case. What babies need is something which is comfortable, sturdy, giving the right amount of motion needed to be lulled to sleep and the most important, providing safety. On reading baby swing reviews, one realizes that there are so many options available in the market. However, these are some factors I considered, when I chose a baby swing for my baby.
So, what should be considered while buying a baby swing?
- Safety and sturdiness
- Comfort
- Portability
- Recline Positions
- Ease of Putting the Baby In
- Additional Features
It is important to buy a swing which comes with the guarantee of providing absolute safety to the baby. Imagine leaving your baby in the swing and the swing turning towards the side as the baby moves? That is a nightmare for every parent.
Hence, it is important that the swing should be sturdy with a proper frame which can carry the weight of the baby, up to 30 or 40 pounds.
- The overall structure of the swing should be sturdy and should not move even if the baby moves inside the swing.
- A swing should have a wide base and a low center of gravity to prevent it from toppling over.
- A swing which has a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association certification is good option to buy since it has passed the federal safety standards.
- The swing should not have any sharp edges or any part which may poke the baby if the baby moves. If there are musical instruments or rattles tied to the top of the swing, ensure that those are very sturdy and there is no danger of them falling on the baby at any time.
- Check for a swing with an extremely strong safety harness. This is to ensure that your baby is fully secure in the swing. A 5 point harness is definitely more secure than a 3 point harness, especially for little infants.
Different Types of Baby Swings
Depending on the usage, there are three basic types of baby swings
- Full size baby Swing
- Portable baby swing
- Glider baby swing
Each of these types has three key parts to them:
- Seat – To support the baby
- Frame – To hold the entire swing to the ground and ensure stability to the structure
- Motor (if you buy a motorized baby swing) – to provide the swinging motion
- Full Size Baby Swings
- Portable Baby Swings
- Baby Gliders
A full size baby swing is large, and occupy a lot of space. It can be a bit difficult to move around, but it provides the best swinging motion to your baby.
The motor in the full size swings are at the top of the swing and provide a great variety of swinging motions to the baby. The full size swings can be used from birth till up to eight months, and often accommodate older babies, as compared to the other two types of swings.
Due to their large frame, they are very sturdy and have the benefit of being hard to knock over. However, these swings do have the disadvantage of occupying a lot of space and can be very expensive.
| Product | Our Rating | Weight-average | Product Dimensions | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fischer Price Cradle N’Swing | 24.2 pounds | 34 x 34 x 42 inches | Check price | ||
| Graco DuetSooth Swing and Rocker | 17.9 pounds | 30.8 x 24.5 x 36 inches | Check price | ||
| 4Moms MamaRoo Baby Swing | 19 pounds | 26.2 x 9.2 x 22.5 inches | Check price | ||
| Comfort and Harmony Cozy Kingdom Portable Swing | 7 pounds | 20.1 x 6 x 21.2 inches | Check price | ||
| Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing | 17.9 pounds | 30.8 x 24.5 x 36 inches | Check price |
Key Features of Baby Swings to be Considered While Purchasing
- Swing Seat
- The Swinging Motion
- The Frame
- Safety Features
- Getting it Together
- Batteries or power cord?
- A baby swing with an adjustable swing speed is very advantageous since it gives the option of making the swing move in the speed which is most appreciated by the baby and what speed he or she is comfortable in. Some babies like a to and fro fast motion, while some babies prefer a slow rocking side to side motion. Depending on your child’s preference, ensure that you pick up a swing which gives you multiple options of rocking speed.
- Often baby swings are available with only to and fro motion. So one point to consider before buying a swing is to confirm whether the swing offers sideways motion.
- A baby swing comes with a timer, usually for about 45 minutes and it is good to know the maximum time a baby swing can operate without intervention. Some baby swings operate only with a timer, which means that the timer needs to be set back after each cycle.
Our Recommendations for Best Baby Swings
What are the best swings in the market? We looked at a number of baby swings and here are ourchoices.
Best Full Sized Swing
#1) Fischer Price Cradle N’Swing
Via Amazon
Available in different themes, this baby swing wins over due to its numerous features and very comfortable seat for the baby.
The baby swing has a lovely head to toe pillow for the baby, and comes with a sturdy frame and a lightweight canopy attached to the frame to protect the baby from heat and provide a peaceful environment.
The metal frame and the 5 point harness provide ample safety and the product has been certified by the JPMA, meeting all the federal standards. For entertainment there are songs (The music volume can be adjusted too!) as well as a globe mirror to keep the baby happy and occupied.
The swing offers six speeds and a choice of side to side and head to toe swing motion. The best part is that the swing can be folded and stored and works on both power cord and batteries.
Also there is a play tray for babies with appropriately safe toys which is removable when you want to put in and take out the baby
- Has numerous features to meet all the requirements for a parent’s expectations in a swing including safety, sturdiness and comfort
- Washable seat cover
- Certified by JPMA
- Easy to access controls
- Lovely entertainment offerings
I could not really think of any cons in this product!
#2) Graco DuetSooth Swing and Rocker
The Graco DuetSooth Swing doubles up as a rocker as well, which means that this two in oneproduct is a sure shot winner. The seat can be removed and can be carried around (there is a built incarry handle) without the frame, which makes it a portable rocker, which means the baby will notmiss its favorite seat even when you are travelling.
The swing offers both types of swinging motions – to and fro as well as swaying side to side, whichcan be adjusted depending on your baby’s requirements.
Since the swing can be operated both via power cords and rechargeable batteries, it is doublyadvantageous. With a wide seat and six swing speed options and two sway speed options, the baby’scomforts are easily taken care of.
For the baby’s entertainment, the swing offers 10 melodies and five nature songs, and there are cutelooking toys hanging up from the seat, which are low enough for the baby to reach but high enoughto ensure they are not in the baby’s mouth. As far as safety is concerned, there is a five pointharness which secures the baby to the seat. The seat cover is removable and machine washable andthe head support is removable too.
All in all, this one is a definite winner.
- Doubles up as a rocker
- Removable seat covers makes it easy to wash
- It has different speed options depending on the need of the baby
- Can be run on battery and power cord both
- Is extremely safe
- It is bit bulky
- It can be difficult to store and occupies a lot of space in the house
- Can be difficult to take around while travelling
#3) 4Moms MamaRoo Baby Swing
One of the biggest advantage of the MamaRoo baby swing is the fact that it moves in five unique positions. This makes it a very popular choice for babies. The movement includes up and down as well as sways from side to side.
The other advantage of this baby swing is the seat recline, which can be adjusted to any position up to full recline. However, the best part is that the motion and sound of the music played can be controlled using a compatible smart device. This means that you would not have to keep going to the swing to change its controls, all you need is a compatible device near you.
Apart from built-in songs, the swing can also be plugged in with an MP3 device. Apart from this, the usual features like the plug-in cord and battery backup, nylon cloth seat which can be easily wiped or washed are also present this baby swing. Available in a variety of colors and designs, this swing is compact and ease to use and assemble.
- Controls work when linked to a smart device
- Easy to wash seats
- Available in a variety of colors and designs
- Power and battery operated
- Swings in five unique positions
- Can be a bit bulky
- Controlling via a device means that the device needs to be compatible or else it would not work
Best Portable Baby Swing
Comfort and Harmony Cozy Kingdom Portable Swing
This compact swing made specifically for travel is very light (only 7 pounds) but is very sturdy with a large frame. The swing can be folded and easily and proves to be a constant companion to the baby, no matter where you go.
If you have lack of space in your house, or are someone who travels a lot with your baby, this is a perfect buy for you.
The swing is battery powered, and the motor on the swing is very quiet, which means that if your baby is sleepy, this is a perfect swing to lull him or her to sleep. The swing has a five point harness, which makes it extremely safe, and the motor is powerful enough to continue swinging a growing baby.
The seat is very comfortable and accommodates even new born infants, with a head support pillow. This pillow can be removed as your baby grows older. The padding on the seat can be removed for washing and is easy to clean by being wipe friendly.
The seat recline has the option of two positions depending on the age of your baby. There are six speeds for swinging available which means that you can change the speed as per the comfort of your baby.
The swing also has the advantage of being very easy to operate, and for entertainment there are hanging toys on a removable bar, and six melodies with volume control and auto shut off options. The swing is available in With portability as its main feature, this baby swing is super handy for travel and if you have less space in your house.
- Very easy to transport
- Has a silent whisper motor which means baby is not disturbed by the sound
- Has a head support pillow for a newborn
- Easy to operate and very light
- Can be folded easily for travel
- Offers only six speeds in rocking motion and does not offer the swaying motion
- Operates only on battery and does not have a power cord
Best Glider Swing
Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing
This gliding swing from Graco has the advantage of occupying 40% lesser space as compared to a full size swing, yet providing all the features which are available in the full size swing. With the option of being cord operated or battery powered, this swing also features a timer mode, which ensures that the motion of the swing is only for a specific amount of time.
The smooth back and forth gliding motion of the swing in six speed variations, ensures complete comfort for your baby. The seat of the swing is very comfortable and even a new born infant can be placed in it. The seat has a vibrating function as well, and can easily be removed for washing and cleaning.
The seat has two reclining positions, depending on the age and weight of the baby. With the 5 point harness, safety is well taken care of. There are 10 different kind of songs for the baby’s entertainment and a toy bar can be attached or removed as per your requirement. This slider swing comes in six different colors which means you have the option of choosing one to match the décor of your nursery.
- Provides smooth slider motion
- Comes in six color options
- Vibrating motion available for baby
- Works on power cord as well as battery
- Vibrating motion requires a battery to work
- Can be difficult to carry around
Advantages of Baby Swings
One advantage of baby swings is that the babies are seated in the recline position, which makes it easier for them, in case they are suffering from gas or reflux. They keep the infants in a cozy place, similar to that of a womb, providing a small rhythmic motion which makes the infant feel safe.
And of course, the biggest advantage is that for the parents, it is like providing another pair of arms, to take care of the child safely. The best infant swings are every effective in soothing babies and this works to a great advantage to parents, who can get some other work does, while the baby relaxes or sleeps in the swing for a short time.
What is The Difference between Baby Swings, Bouncers, and Jumpers?
- Bouncer
- Jumper
- A bouncer is a simple seat on a frame in which a baby can be placed from birth till the age of 6 months. It is usually used only till the age of six months until the baby starts to sit up on her/his own.
- The bouncer is used to keep a newborn in an inclined position to support its head and with its bouncing movements (either battery operated or bouncing as the baby moves) can help sooth a newborn baby.
- A bouncer has relatively lesser flexibility since it moves slightly when it is pushed or when the baby kicks it as the baby grows older.
- A bouncer can have additional features like toys hanging from the frame to entertain the infant or with some music.
In short, the difference between a jumper, bouncer and a swing is as follows:
- Swings: They swing back and forth without the baby needing to move and can be battery operated
- Bouncers: Bounce depending on the baby’s movements and can also be battery operated.
- Jumpers: Move the baby up and down with the help of the baby’s legs jumping up and down.
| Product | Our Rating | Weight-average | Product Dimensions | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fischer Price Cradle N’Swing | 24.2 pounds | 34 x 34 x 42 inches | Check price | ||
| Graco DuetSooth Swing and Rocker | 17.9 pounds | 30.8 x 24.5 x 36 inches | Check price | ||
| 4Moms MamaRoo Baby Swing | 19 pounds | 26.2 x 9.2 x 22.5 inches | Check price | ||
| Comfort and Harmony Cozy Kingdom Portable Swing | 7 pounds | 20.1 x 6 x 21.2 inches | Check price | ||
| Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing | 17.9 pounds | 30.8 x 24.5 x 36 inches | Check price |
FAQs
As a parent, despite reading reviews, there are often questions which arise in our minds before we buy the baby swing.
Can I let my baby sleep in the baby swing?
Till what age can my baby use the baby swing?
What is the weight limit which a baby swing can hold?
How much space will my baby swing take?
All baby swings have motors. Does the sound disturb the baby?
How easy is it to assemble a baby swing?
Are the swinging motions jerky and will they harm my baby?
Wrapping Up
Personally, I would recommend the Fischer Price Cradle N’Swing model, only because it has so many features which provide all the possible options for parents. Easy to fold and store and its different kind of motion options make it a clear winner for me.
Choosing a baby swing for your baby can be a daunting task, but remember that the best baby swings are those which you are comfortable with, and which fit your pocket well.
There is no standard guideline for buying baby swings, but depending on the space, budget, and circumstances, the baby swings are one of the best baby gear to invest in, when you are going to have a baby.
Giving you some time without carrying the baby and helping keep the baby entertained, a good baby swing is a good investment, with comfort and safety of your baby well assured.
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