Baby Swings: Reviews

Overall, we found that the Fisher-Price Starlight Papasan Cradle Swing receives the best reviews from experts -- and it's also the favorite of parents posting user reviews. The shape of this swing's seat offers a lot of… expandsupport for infants, say parents, and it can swing in two directions to help soothe your baby. The Papasan swing, which is available in muted neutral colors, comes with a removable toy tray, 16 songs (with volume control), nature sounds and a light show. Another plus: A power adapter is included, so users don't have to buy D-sized batteries for the unit. Additionally, other versions of this baby swing are available (offering different colors, themes and functions). However, some of these other models do not include an adapter; be sure to check before you buy. collapse

Parents stand behind the Graco Lovin' Hug Infant Swing, saying it offers some solid features for a nice price. This highly rated baby swing includes a five-point harness, a safety feature that full-size Fisher-Price… expandswings do not come with, and it can hold babies up to 30 pounds (most swings can only support babies up to 25 pounds). On the downside, this swing can only rock babies in one direction (back and forth), which might bore children; some users also report that its motor can be noisy. This baby swing also does not have a power adapter; three D cell batteries are required to use the machine. collapse

The Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Deep Blue Sea Space Saver Swing & Seat receives the best reviews among travel swings (which are more compact and sit closer to the ground than full-size baby swings). Parents appreciate this… expandproduct's five-point safety harness (Fisher-Price travel swings have five-point harnesses, while full-size versions have three-point belts). They also like the fact that it can function as a baby swing or an infant feeding seat, and praise its sturdy construction, deep seat, interactive toy bar and easy portability. The Ocean Wonders Deep Blue Sea Space Saver Swing & Seat, like most travel swings, runs on batteries only. collapse

More luxurious, vibrating swings gently jostle in multiple directions to more effectively stimulate and soothe babies. One noteworthy swing, the mamaRoo Infant Seat, is enthusiastically praised by parents who repeatedly… expandsay it's well worth the extra cost. Professional reviewers are also impressed with the mamaRoo, giving it accolades for its innovative, multidirectional range of motion. The mamaRoo moves back and forth, side to side and up and down, and it can also simulate five motions: car ride, kangaroo, ocean wave, tree swing and rock-a-bye. This swing also features a mobile that's black and white on one side and colorful on the other. One possible drawback: The mamaRoo is a plug-in product -- some parents say it would be nice for the baby swing to also offer a battery power option. collapse