How to Choose a Baby Swing | Simple Guide for Parents
It’s almost time to welcome your darling new bundle of joy to the world! You’ve planned, prepped, and outfitted baby’s nursery, gathered your gear, and likely listened to countless veteran parents share tidbits of wisdom gleaned from their personal experiences.
But there’s one baby item that many new and expecting parents often consider, but aren’t always sure if it will be a worthwhile purchase – a motorized baby swing.
Here, you’ll learn how to choose a baby swing that suits your living space and the features you’ll find convenient.
Why Buy a Baby Swing?
Baby swings are totally optional gear for parents, but many families find they have their benefits.
Our first baby never seemed to spend much time in her swing, but our second baby was a motion junkie who also went through a colicky period. This time around, the swing was a godsend when nothing else would settle her.
Swings provide soothing motion and entertainment for even newborn babies. When used properly, they act as a safe place to put your baby when you need your hands free to make a meal, fold the laundry, or even just run to the bathroom. We made a point of placing our swing in a centralized location where our baby could see me, whether I was in the kitchen, living room, or powder room.
Related post: Is a baby swing necessary? Do I have to buy one? What are my other options?
Baby Swing Features
Swings come in all styles and sizes, which can make the decision about which swing to buy a bit daunting.
A baby swing may include features such as:
- Multiple speed settings
- Soothing vibrations
- Back-and-forth and side-to-side swinging motions
- Adjustable recline angles for different ages and stages
- A timer, so that the swing stops after a set number of minutes
The type of swing you buy will depend on which features you think will work best for your baby and the needs of your family.
Space Considerations
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The 4moms Mamaroo is an example of a VERY compact baby swing. Image courtesy of Amazon.
Baby swings come in many sizes, so be sure to measure the space you have before committing to a purchase. Many of the most popular swings on the market have a rather large footprint. So if space is an issue, you may wish to consider a more compact swing model. (Read our top picks for small baby swings here!)
Portability
Ingenuity: ity by Ingenuity is compact and portable. View more of its details on Amazon.
If your family is often on the go, even if it’s just a weekly trip to Grandma’s house, you may prefer a swing that is portable. We went this route with the swing we chose for our oldest child.
Portable swings fold easily and are lighter than traditional swings. Sometimes the legs will telescope to different heights as well.
Many portable swings only allow for a forward-backward motion, so if your baby prefers to swing side-to-side, a portable swing may not be the right choice for you.
Some swings have a different sort of portability feature. The swing seat can be detached from the frame, turning into a bouncer that you can place anywhere in your house or take with you when you go visiting.
Related post: learn more about the different types of baby swings here!
Plug-In Vs. Battery Operated
Many baby swings can be used with either a standard electric plug or batteries. The main benefit of a plug-in swing is that the swing will always work as expected.
Battery powered swings sometimes slow down as the batteries drain, and they usually run on larger batteries that can get expensive to repeatedly replace.
Many portable swings only run on batteries, so read the description carefully before committing.
Music and Sound
Full-size Ingenuity SimpleComfort Lightweight Compact has lots of features! Image courtesy of Amazon.
Larger swing models that have a lot of bells and whistles often include a selection of music and sounds. Controls let you set the volume to a level that works best for your baby. Sometimes, music and sounds can be played at the same time.
Related post: How to use your baby swing properly
Cry Detection
Some of the newest swing models include a feature called “cry detection”. A built-in microphone senses when your baby begins to fuss or cry, and the swing automatically adjusts its speed in response. For some babies, this can help them resettle, and after baby is calm, the swing slows back to whatever speed you originally set.
Price
Today’s baby swings come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and feature offerings. Pricing for these swings is just as varied.
The simplest traditional swings may be priced as low as $50 or $60, while larger swings with the most features can cost up to $140.
Portable swings typically cost less than their more traditional counterparts, since they tend to offer fewer features. Portable swing prices range from about $40 to $80.
Related post: Get the most bang -or swing- for your buck, discover the best swings for big babies that will last the longest as your little one grows!
A Word About Baby Swing Safety
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission both provide detailed guidelines for safe use of infant swings.
- Baby swings should be stationary and be designed to prevent tipping or folding.
- Buckles, whether three- or five-point harness styles, should be used at all times to prevent baby from rolling or trying to climb out. Swing seats that adjust to an angle greater than 50 degrees must have shoulder straps to keep the infant in place.
- Babies younger than four months old should be seated in the most reclined position to prevent slumping and suffocation.
- The surface of the swing seat should remain fairly flat while the swing is in motion or while stopped to prevent the infant from falling or tipping.
- Discontinue use of a baby swing when your infant has exceeded the weight limits.
- Always place the swing on a flat spot on the floor, away from other furniture and with plenty of space for the swing to operate properly.
Baby swings should always be used according to manufacturers’ guidelines. Parents should always supervise babies while they are placed in infant swings, and swings should NEVER be used for sleep.
Related post: Are baby swings safe? Read more in depth here!
Wrap up- How to choose a baby swing
Now you know how to choose a baby swing. Or at least what features to consider to meet your needs! There are so many swings available, you can find one that will suit your family and situation.
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