Baby Swing Review

Types of baby swings

We found the best professional coverage of baby swings in Baby Bargains, an excellent baby gear book by Denise and Alan Fields. While the authors don't test swings directly, they do base their recommendations on extensive research and parent input. Consumer Reports has covered baby swings, but their editors don't include any testing or ratings. A few other sources offer editors' picks but without much evidence of testing.

To parents, the most important consideration in a baby swing is whether their child likes it, so that point of view influences this report. While a baby swing's features are the primary point of discussion in most professional reviews, they remain secondary for parents, with a few exceptions: speed/strength variations, power source options and motor noise. Other considerations include portability and age-based adjustability.

We scanned hundreds of owner-written reviews of baby swings, which helped us to see common patterns when complaints were involved. Amazon.com and Target.com are the best places for parent-written reviews, and we found no lack of opinions on baby swings. For example, we found almost 1,000 parent-written reviews for two popular Fisher-Price swings.

Most baby swings are battery operated, but there are a handful of plug-in swings, which simply plug into a wall outlet instead of relying on batteries. Since battery usage is a universal complaint in parent-written reviews, swings like the Fisher-Price Power Plus (*Est. $85) can really cut down on battery expense. Additionally, many parents and reviewers wonder if the battery issue (low power) is the cause for the seemingly poor ability of the equipment to swing larger babies. We're also seeing more swings that convert into high chairs or rockers.

A new combination swing, bouncy seat and infant carrier, the Graco Swing 'N Bounce (*Est. $120) is getting decent overall owner ratings. Parents are enthusiastic about the versatility and the subtle design. There are some consistent complaints, though, about the seat being too upright for young babies and the overhead mobile being hard for little ones to see. Parents also say assembly is difficult and the instructions could be clearer.

Another new Graco model, the Graco Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center (*Est. $170) looks very different from other swings. According to the manufacturer, this swing is supposed to "help your baby adjust to life outside the womb," with several vibration and movement modes, and sounds -- including simulated "womb sounds." Like most swings, this model is meant for babies up to 25 pounds. It doesn't use batteries, instead coming with an AC adapter.

While we couldn't find any evidence that babies feel like they're in utero when in the Sweetpeace, parents do seem to like it. Most like the wide variety of motions and vibrations. You can choose from several built-in sounds, but there's also a standard 3.5mm input for plugging in your own iPod or MP3 player. The main consistent complaint is that some units have motors that "croak." These parents either returned the swing to the store or called Graco for a new motor. Some parents say their babies quickly grew bores with the activity toys. A few others just say the swing is overpriced.

Although Fisher-Price full-size swings have proven to be the most popular in both professional and owner-written reviews, about 112,000 portable swings -- the Fisher-Price Rainforest Open Top Take-Along Swing, sold between Nov. 2006 and May 2007 -- were recalled in May 2007. Infants inside the swing could shift to one side and get trapped between the frame and the seat. About 60 reports of bruises and cuts were collected. Note that the new version of this Take-Along swing has been redesigned to prevent this problem.