Best Baby Swings – Our Top Picks

The Ultimate “Baby Swing” Buyers Guide + The Best Baby Swings

A baby swing is certainly one of those items that you would want to have ready in the nursery or the car. However, with all the different baby swing products out in the market today, looking for the right one for your baby’s needs can be a rather daunting task. So, we here at Baby Insider have put up an exhaustive guide on buying these little baby gear.

Reviewing The Four Best Baby Swings On The Market

Here are the most popular baby swings that are heavyweight with all their extra features. This list will help you pick your favorite out of the best baby swings.

Fisher-Price Snugabunny Cradle ‘N Swing

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One of the most notable features of the Snugabunny swing is its Smart Swing technology. What is great about this particular feature is that is is able to sense your baby’s weight and adjust the speed accordingly.

Thus, your little one will be going at the right speed whatever his age is. What more, the swing will start moving without the need for you to push it first.

When it comes to baby gear, Fisher-Price is definitely one of the most recognizable names, and their Snugabunny Cradle ‘N Swing is certainly one good option to take a look at.

Another great feature of this model is that it comes with two different power options. For travel purposes, you can power the thing with four D-size batteries. On the other hand, if you are in a hotel or in a relative’s house, you can simply take out the 120-volt AC adapter and have it plugged to the wall socket.

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Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing

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However, don’t think that this one would be small, as it is actually a full-sized swing that will be able to accommodate your baby comfortably. What more, the plush cover will really be to his liking.

And you get three different reclining positions so that the little one will be in a nice position whenever he is in it. And to make sure that he is secured in his position, you have a sturdy five-point harness is provided.This one comes from Graco, another well-established name in baby products.

The biggest draw of the Glider LX Gliding Swing is its compact design. The unique frame design allows this one to occupy 40% less space than most other models, so you won’t have to worry about where to put it.

Another great thing about this particular swing is that you will be getting six different gliding speeds, which means there is always the right speed for your little on whatever his age is. You will also be getting two different vibration speeds to help soothe him to sleep. For music, the built-in music player has ten different melodies and five nature sounds that will amuse him.

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Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Cradle and Swing

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One of the most notable features of the Snugabnunny swing is its Smart Swing technology. What is great about this particular feature is that is is able to sense your baby’s weight and adjust the speed accordingly. Thus, your little one will be going at the right speed whatever his age is.

What more, the swing will start moving without the need for you to push it first.When it comes to baby gear, Fisher-Price is definitely one of the most recognizable names, and their Snugabunny Cradle ‘N Swing is certainly one good option to take a look at.

Another great feature of this model is that it comes with two different power options. For travel purposes, you can power the thing with four D-size batteries. On the other hand, if you are in a hotel or in a relative’s house, you can simply take out the 120-volt AC adapter and have it plugged to the wall socket.

Check it out on Amazon


Fisher-Price Papasan Cradle and Swing

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However, the feature that will certainly be to your little one’s liking is the included mobile. This one features three cute and colorful butterfly plushies that seemingly fly up and down and revolve over him when turned on. There is also a nifty projector that casts a bright light show in onto the canopy for his amusement.

Unlike the previous two Fisher-Price models, the Papasan Cradle and Swing focuses more on simplicity. Hence, you will be getting only two different swing modes. The music players also have only two modes, though you will be getting 8 different songs and other tunes.

Finally, you have the option of running this off the wall socket with the included AC adapter or use batteries for travel purposes.

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Baby Swing Buyers Guide

What Is A Baby Swing?

Simply put, a baby swing is a chair-like contraption where you can put your little one and let him rest for a while. This piece of baby gear is considered by a lot of parents to be a real saver, as it lets them do other chores while taking care of baby. And of course, the young one also loves the comfort provided by a good baby swing.

The baby swing is often compared with a baby carrier in terms of general use. And the latter is arguably a lot cheaper. However, a baby swing offers a lot more features than just being a simple baby seat, which justifies the higher price.

The Benefits Of Having A Baby Swing

Comfort is the biggest benefit that you will be getting with the baby swing, as your baby will be in a good position for napping or simply resting. Many models also come with ample padding to keep him cozy. This makes its good pick for when leaving your little one for short periods to attend to chores.

Another great thing about a baby swing is that it packs a lot of entertainment features to keep your little one from getting bored while you work. Most models feature built-in music players with a variety of songs and nature sounds, as well as toy mobiles. On the other hand, some of the higher end models feature a vibrating function that will soothe the little one to sleep.

Of course, even with all of those benefits, it would still be worth reminding that there is still no better substitute to cuddling your baby in your arms. Keep in mind that the swing is merely there to help you whenever you need to leave your little one for a while.

Types Of Baby Swings

When shopping for a swing, you have three different types available. Each of these will fit into a particular need.

Full-sized Model

A full sized model is one that is intended to be put into a specific location and be left there. Hence, these swings often have large foldout legs for better stability. They are also great for families that have a large space to spare.

Because of their larger size, these swings can accommodate babies from birth up to when they reach 30 pounds. These models also have added features, such as vibrating pads and music players for baby’s entertainment.

Compact Swing

As the name says, a compact swing is one that is intended to be smaller than regular sized ones for easier transportation to other places. This means that this type of swing is also lighter. However, the small size means that it can bear only a smaller child usually only put to 20-25 pounds.

This particular swing is ideal for when you are traveling to a relative’s house or heading to the park. As an added bonus, it can fold into a smaller form for better portability. The one downside that you need to watch with this one, though, is that, since it is smaller, it also sits lower on the ground, which can result in the little one being disturbed by siblings or pets.

Hybrid Swings

A hybrid swing is one that combines the features of a swing, a bouncer, and a glider. What is neat about this type is that you don’t need to get three separate equipment, saving you a lot of money. However, one major drawback here is that, since it tries to pack in three different functions, the swing itself is smaller. Also, this one is a bit heavier and pricier.

The Features Of Baby Swing To Looking For

While the full feature set varies considerably from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer, baby swings generally have the following features in common.

1. Power Source

Most powered baby swings in the market today are run by batteries. However, you can still find old-school wind-up swings, though they are more costly. On the other hand, there are also models that allow you to plug them to a wall socket for continuous power.

So, which one should you choose? Well, it will depend on your expected level of use. For those times where you will only be using the swing infrequently, battery operated ones would suit best, though they would cost more than the AC-powered models in the long run. You can also go for a model that offer both options in one.

2. Seating Positions

When using a baby swing, your baby has to be positioned in the most comfortable way. With newborns, they have to be in a full reclining position to keep their heads straight and avoid blocking their airways. As they grow older and are able to keep their head up consciously, you can then put him into a seated position without worries. Thus, pick a swing that offers you at least two different seating position to cover these requirements.

3. Speed And Movement

Speed settings for baby swings also depend on the age of the kid that will be using it. For newborns and infants, the slowest speed options is used to give them a gentle rock and put them to sleep. Meanwhile, older tots would be more enthusiastic with the faster speeds.

Some models also offer variable motion direction. This is due to most younger babies prefer to be rocked in a side to side movement. On the other hand, older kids would be more at home with forwards and backward rocking movements. Luckily, most models come with at least two different motion settings, which will be more than enough.

4. Entertainment

While the rocking motion can itself be entertaining, babies can become bored with it fast. Most models already come with a pre-built music player that plays several tunes to keep your baby happy. When buying your swing, listen to these tunes first so that you know that your little one will love them instead of being annoyed. Alternatively, higher-end models feature MP3 player connectivity, which will greatly increase his music choice.

It would also be a good idea to look for models that have toy bars attached to them. This will not only be fun for him but will also help stimulate his other senses. And if you want something different from the typical toybar, other models feature motorized mobiles that will be to your child’s liking

5. Ease Of Use And Portability

Most baby swing models, especially the compact ones, can be readily folded up for storage. These also come with their own transport bags for when taking it to Grandma’s house. As another safety consideration, check that the whole contraption locks in securely when unfolded for use.

Safety Considerations

Since your baby will be using the swing a lot of times, safety should be a major concern. Thus, when shopping for these:

  • Consider the sturdiness of the frame. Check that it does not show signs of warping or bending. Also, see that the swing locks into position securely when assembled.
  • Take your child’s weight into account. Most swings will be able to hold babies up to 30 pounds, but smaller ones have lower limits. Look at the packaging to see the recommended weight.
  • The kind of materials used in the swing is also an important consideration. In particular, the cloth used should be resistant to fire. Also, check to see that the swing is guaranteed free from harmful chemicals like lead, phthalates, and bisphenol-A (BPA).
  • Inspect the harness used to secure your baby onto the swing. A 5-point harness would be a good pick for infants while a 3-point one is suited for older children. Make sure that the buckles and straps lock securely and would not easily unravel when in use.
  • As your baby is likely to tug on the toys hanging on the swing’s toybar, choose a model that has a sturdy attachment so that the toys won’t fall off when pulled by him. And the cords attaching the toys should be of the right length so as to not get him entangled.

Conclusion

When shopping for a baby swing, take your baby’s immediate needs and the gear’s likely use. For instance, if you are simply in need of one to use as a temporary holder for your baby when you are doing chores, then opt for a basic model. This does not have a lot of features, but will still have to most essential ones.

When it comes to pricing, don’t readily fall for low-priced models. Consider all of the factors that have been considered here and decide if what the particular model offers meet these and is reasonable for the price it has. This will ensure that you will be getting your money’s worth.

As a final note, remember that a baby swing is merely a baby care aid. It would still not replace the warmth of you cuddling the little one in your arms. Hence, be sure that he spends more time being carried by you than sitting in the swing.