Best Baby Swing
If you are an expectant parent about to have your first baby, you are probably beginning collect every gadget you have ever seen or been told you will need for your baby. But how much do you really need? How much will you really use? Let’s examine a baby swing and see how it may help the health of both parent and child. For one, you will need a safe place to easily put your baby down when you need to go to the bathroom or take a shower. Even though you enjoy every snuggle you have with your baby, you are going to need a break.
Newborn babies often struggle with anxiety as they get used to this new strange world they have been born into. New noises, temperature fluctuations and waiting for food can all be stressful for your baby, especially in the first three months. The best way to ease this stress is by holding and rocking your baby. However, it would be impossible for you to do all that rocking on your own and that is where swings, bouncers and rockers come in as they mimic the motion of your rocking arms. This equipment can allow you time to rest your arms, help baby fall asleep, and maybe even give you a little me time!
When you put a baby into a swing, they enjoy the movement and activity and this helps to make for a happy baby.
There are a lot of different swings, rockers and bouncers on the market and each serves a slightly different purpose but that doesn’t mean your house has to have all of them. Baby swings tend to be the best in comforting little ones as the constant motion acts as a true soothing mechanism and helps fussy babies and at sleepy time. Baby swings are suspended seats and offer a wide back-and-forth swinging movement is emulates the repetitive motion baby experienced in utero. There is usually a control that helps to set the speed and range of motion of the seat. Some models also have music and toys to entertain baby while you are busy. However, these are on the larger side and usually require electricity to power up, so keep that in mind when making your purchase.
There are many pros with baby swings. For example, with various settings for speed and motions most babies will find at least one setting that suits them perfectly. They are also extremely sturdy in construction and are durable and not easily knocked over. There are a wide array of shapes and sizes to choose from and many have various additional features to help keep your baby content and entertained.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing
|
|
| #2 |  4moms mamaRoo 4 Baby Swing
|
|
| #3 |  KidCo TR5101 SwingPod
|
|
| #4 |  Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing
|
|
| #5 |  FUNNY SUPPLY Hanging Swing Seat Hammock Chair
|
|
What To Look For In a Baby Swing:
- Sturdy Frame: One of the first things you want to examine is the frame of the baby swing. The good news is that swings tend to be very sturdy in comparison to bouncers and rockers but still you will want a wide frame to keep the swing from tipping.
- Storage: Where are you planning to use the swing? Will you want to have one that can fold or dissemble easily for storing or travel?
- Batteries or plug-in: Most swings are electric and use an electrical outlet but you can find many swings that use a battery operated motor. However, consider how many batteries you may go through to keep your baby in motion. Maybe you want to get a model that can use both sources.
- Cleaning: Babies are pretty messy and you will want this swing to be easily cleaned. Make sure there is a removable cloth seat for easy clean up.
- Comfort: Make sure the seat is well padded for your baby’s bottom. Also note if there are different reclining options as some models even convert into a baby seat.
- Safety straps: The swings needs to have at least a three-point harness to hold your baby securely in the seat. You can also find models with a five-point harness, which adds shoulder straps, making it even safer for your baby.
- Motion type: Swings now have all types of movement from rocking, vibrating or gliding.
- Extras: There are many extras being added to swings these days, including music and toys. Remember though that the more extras you add, the higher the price point might become, so choose wisely. There are lots of fun features like mobiles, sun canopies, music speakers, and attachable toys but you may not need or use all of them.
Baby Swing Safety
The following tips come from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
To help keep babies safe when in infant swings:
- Infants under age 4 months should be seated in the most reclined swing position to avoid slumping over and suffocating.
- The swing should not tip over or fold up easily.
- If the seat can be adjusted to more than a 50-degree angle, it should have shoulder straps to keep the infant from falling out.
- Toys on mobiles attached to the swings should not be pulled off easily.
- Caregivers should make sure the baby is not heavier than weight limits specified on the swing label or instructions.
- The swing’s cradle surface should stay fairly flat while in motion and while stopped so the infant will not tip or fall out.
Best Baby Swings
Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing
Best Bargain
This compact swing does not take up a large footprint but still provides all that you need in a baby swing. It has a gentle, side to side swaying motion in six speeds that will soothe and comfort your baby as well as two-speed vibrating function that can help to relax your little one. The product gives you flexibility as well as it can use either a plug or batteries for your electricity source. There are ten songs and five nature sounds that can be played to entertain your baby while they amuse themselves with the soft mobile that hovers overhead. The seat is extremely comfortable and plush with a five-point safety harness. The swing is gauged for use with infants between 5.5 pounds and 30 pounds. Due to its compact size, it is very portable. The swing comes from a manufacturer you can really trust. Graco is one of the world’s most recognized baby equipment companies, having created baby essentials for more than 65 years.
Pros
- Trusted manufacturer
- 5-point safety harness
- Plug or battery operated
- Soft mobile
- Compact
- Music choices
- Varying speeds and vibrations
- Portable
- 12-month warranty
Cons
- Mobile is not electronic and does not turn
- Vibration option only works with batteries
Who should buy this baby swing:
If you have a smaller space and are looking for a quality baby swing from a known manufacturer, this highly reviewed product has exactly what you are looking for.
Product Specs:
Product Measures: 30 x 31 x 38 inches
Product Weight: 17.2 pounds
Minimum/Max Weight requirements: 5.5 – 30 pounds
4moms mamaRoo 4 Baby Swing
Best High Tech Baby Swing
This high-tech swing is designed to mimic the natural motions parents use when comforting a newborn by both bouncing up and down and swinging side to side. If natural motion isn’t your thing, you can also use the programmed movement modes that are called car ride, kangaroo, wave, tree swing, and rock a bye to help soothe your precious baby. An added bonus is the Bluetooth-enabled feature so you can control the motion and speed from your phone, and more importantly you can connect to any MP3 device for custom music. That means you are not bound by the manufacture’s choices of music for your baby as you are quite possibly be very tired of ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ by now. The seat has a wide range of reclining options all the way to a full recline so you can find the perfect position for your baby’s mood and needs.
Pros
- Compact
- Bluetooth enabled
- Multiple motion choices
- Full range of recline
- Six-month warranty
- Machine washable, removable seat
- Compact
- Modern silhouette
Cons
- Expensive
Who should buy this baby swing:
If you are a modern parent looking for a sleek, tech savvy design and are not tied to a budget, this swing will tick your boxes.
Product Specs:
Product Measures: 33” L x 19.5” W x 25.5″ H
Product Weight: 19 pounds
Minimum/Max Weight requirements: 4.4 – 25 pounds
KidCo TR5101 SwingPod
Best Travel Swing
This is a truly portable swing, perfect for a family that travels. It packs up easily into a diaper bag or backpack and can be used in the airport, on the plane, and finally when you arrive at grandma’s house! Babies tend to get used to their program and if your baby has a swing at home they will usually need this motion if they travel and swings are usually not that easy to travel with. This swing, while powered by humans and not electricity, still imitates the motion of a swing that would be very difficult to do with your own two hands. This product was developed by a dad looking for a solution to soothe a colicky baby and the result was the SwingPod. The SwingPod also acts as a swaddle blanket and a portable diaper changing pad. The maximum weight capacity is 15 pounds and it makes a wonderful gift for a baby shower.
Pros
- No electricity required
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Can be used to swaddle and as a changing pad
- Invented by a Dad
- Highly rated
Cons
- Not for everyday use
- Motion is only human made
Who should buy this baby swing:
If you an on-the-go parent who travels and are looking for a truly portable option to help calm your baby to sleep, the SwingPod is exactly what you are looking for.
Product Specs:
Product Measures: 22” L x 14” W x 1″ H
Minimum/Max Weight requirements: 1 -15 pounds
Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing
Best Fully Loaded Swing
Fisher Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradles n’ Swing is the most popular baby swing on the market and it is no wonder why. Fisher Price is a household name in baby products and with this one they have loaded it up with everything you could need in a baby swing. The swing has a full body insert that assures even the smallest baby is supported. Aside from it’s plush, comfortable and supportive seat, it features a mirror and mobile with six different speed settings, two seating positions (one flat, one inclined), and 16 songs and nature sounds. The swing rocks side-to-side or back-to-front and it has SmartSwing Technology that senses your baby’s shifting weight so it can start rocking without a single push. It is machine washable and has the flexibility of being used via a plug or batteries. The product itself is large and heavy so it is definitely not portable. You will want to have a dedicated spot in your home for this swing to stay.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Trusted manufacturer
- One-year warranty
- Music and sound options
- Six speeds
- Can be used with plug or batteries
Cons
- Large
- Heavy
Who should buy this baby swing:
If you are looking for a fully loaded classic baby swing from a trusted name then this Fisher Price swing delivers.
Product Specs:
Product Size: 35.04 x 44.02 x 37.01 inches
Product Weight: 25 pounds
Maximum weight: 25 pounds
FUNNY SUPPLY Hanging Swing Seat Hammock Chair
Best Back to the Basics Swing
Not for newborns, but this bohemian chic swing chair is such a gem it needed to be included on this list. Ideal for babies from six months to three years, this is made from all natural materials from the 100% cotton macramé weave to the wooden dowel material. It is lightweight so it can be moved from room to room, or even used outside on a porch or under a tree. It does not need a plug or batteries, just a good old-fashioned push. Its simplicity is its beauty and it makes a wonderful gift for any expecting mother.
Who should buy this baby swing:
If are longing for a simpler time and looking to rely less on plastic goods, this 100% cotton woven swing will remind you that every toy does not need to make noise and plug in.
PROS
- Inexpensive
- Natural material
- Environmental friendly
- Preassembled
- Unique
- Quality
Cons
- Hanging hardware sold separately
Product Specs:
Package dimensions: 17.0 x 16.7 x 3.5 inches
Product weight: 3.6 pounds
Bottom Line:
Baby swings are designed to help transition your little one from the womb to the room by providing calming rocking motions. Swings are also designed for parents so that they can have a little time to themselves. In the swing market there is definitely a product for every kind of parent and baby: from a very active baby to the most stylish of parent, you can find a swing that fits your needs and your budget.