Standard Baby Swings

Basic cradle swings are most popular

In reviews, most experts and parents say they prefer cradle swings. The reason: Standard swings move back and forth only, while cradle swings also can rock back and forth or side to side. Experts point out that the term "cradle swing" is misleading, because the baby sits in a seat on an incline rather than lying down. This inclined position is preferable for many parents with younger (or smaller) babies with acid reflux, colic or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), offering one possible solution to the sleep problems caused by these conditions.

Overall, we found that Fisher-Price cradle swings dominate positive reviews from nearly every reputable professional and parent-written source. The difficulty is in sorting out the bewildering variety of similar versions. Some Fisher-Price cradle swings differ only in color and theme, and others differ slightly in function.  For instance, some swings feature a two-position reclining seat, and others feature a three-position seat. Others feature toys that parents say are ideal for older infants, while still others offer more subdued accessories. Although functional differences are slight, they might be important to some parents.

Overall, the Fisher-Price Starlight Papasan Cradle Swing (*Est. $125) is the most popular in the company's cradle swing line, based on the number of positive parent written reviews on sites like Amazon.com. In our investigation, we found that thousands of parents expressed their approval of this swing. The seat is modeled on comfy papasan chairs (large, round, cushy chairs first popularized by import stores like Pier 1). Parents are enthusiastic about the style, giving it good marks for comfort and support. Parents also praise this swing's musical selections; the Starlight Papasan swing has 16 lullaby tunes to choose from plus a variety of nature and animal noises like chirping crickets and croaking frogs. This baby swing operates on six speeds, and its seat reclines at two angles; the lower recline position is intended for newborns, and the higher recline position is for older infants.

The Fisher-Price swing's light show is another unusual product feature. With the flip of a switch, the unit's starry mobile lights up and projects stars on to the swing's canopy, creating an ambiance many parents say their babies enjoy. The Fisher-Price Starlight Papasan Cradle Swing can run off batteries but also comes with a power adapter, a feature many parents say they appreciate.

The discontinued, but still widely available Fisher-Price Butterfly Garden Papasan Cradle Swing (*Est. $150) is functionally identical to and almost as popular as the Fisher-Price Starlight Papasan Cradle Swing (*Est. $125). The only differences are in colors and themes; both swings include a light-show feature (the Starlight version projects stars on the canopy, and the butterfly garden projects butterflies.) Because the Butterfly Garden Papasan Cradle Swing is discontinued, and because the Starlight swing receives the greatest number of positive reviews from parents on user review sites, we chose it for our Best Reviewed section. However, parents looking for a feminine design might prefer the butterfly garden version. The only consistent complaints parents have about Fisher-Price cradle swings are about their motors -- some users say they are prone to failure. On the positive side, most owners report excellent customer service experiences with Fisher-Price, and most say replacement motors were shipped and promptly received. Like the Starlight papasan version, the butterfly garden version can run off batteries or be plugged into an electrical outlet.

There are several other Fisher-Price cradle swings that are slightly different than the Starlight and Butterfly Garden versions, and they also receive positive reviews. One product, the Fisher-Price Zen Collection Cradle Swing (*Est. $200) is covered with subdued green and brown hues and features wood accents. Many parents appreciate this swing's appearance, saying it complements their home decor. The Zen has a papasan-style seat with two reclining positions, and the seat pad is removable and machine-washable. One unusual feature (and why it is more costly than other versions) is that parents can remove its seat and take it with them. Many parents like this because it gives them the option of moving their baby into another part of the house without disturbing their baby's sleep. However, at $200 many parents say they would prefer a more luxurious baby swing, like the mamaRoo Infant Seat (*Est. $200).

The Fisher-Price Rainforest Open-Top Cradle Swing (*Est. $120) also gets good reviews. This swing folds up, allowing for easy mobility and storage. The Rainforest version also has an open top, which allows the mobile to be pushed up and out of the way to more easily get baby in and out of the swing. The swing has a plug in option, six swinging speeds and 12 tunes, plus nature sounds. Parents give this swing top-notch reviews for its theme, design, size and mobility. Some parents really appreciate the open-top feature, which saves them from fighting the mobile when taking their baby in and out of the swing. However, some parents aren't enthusiastic about this swing's looks, and some question its stability.

Similar to the Fisher-Price Rainforest Open-Top Cradle Swing is the Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Cradle 'n Swing (*Est. $125). Like the Rainforest version, the Ocean Wonders version folds up. The Ocean Wonders version does not have the open top, however. The swing can run off batteries, which must be purchased separately, or off the included power adapter. In reviews, many parents say the Ocean Wonders version is better for older infants because it has lots of extra toys: a motorized mobile with changing lights, a water globe with toy fish and a bead bar on its removable tray. Some parents who purchased this swing say these toys overstimulated their infants at first, but add that their children enjoyed the features as they grew.

The Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Cradle 'n Swing (*Est. $150), another option, comes with more bells and whistles. Its mobile includes toy clouds and lambs and a mirror. There is also a bead bar and toy stuffed lamb tethered to its removable tray. The swing features three reclining positions; most Fisher-Price cradle swings feature only two. One big drawback is that this swing lacks a power adapter, meaning you must regularly buy more D batteries to power it.

Graco Lovin' Hug is the best no-frills swing

Standard swings only rock back and forth, but for occasional use that might be all you need. One noteworthy model, the Graco Lovin' Hug Infant Swing (*Est. $100), has a moderate price tag and an attractive design. It features a supportive papasan-like seat and offers six swinging speeds, a four-position recline and 10 musical tunes. The Lovin' Hug swing can hold a baby weighing up to 30 pounds. This budget swing also features a five-point safety harness, which parents say holds their child snugly.

One reputable professional testing source highly recommends the Graco Lovin' Hug, along with the Fisher-Price cradle swings. Parents reviewing this swing on Amazon.com and ToysRUs.com say it is a bargain or a good value. We also found some anecdotal reports from parents of larger or older babies that suggest the Graco swing is more powerful than Fisher-Price swings.

User reviews at these sites also point out some downsides, however. There are scattered comments about the Graco swing's tray being difficult to remove. Some owners also say that the swing itself is difficult to assemble, and there are a fair number of comments about its motor being too noisy. The swing's nature sounds are another iffy feature. A few parents say they're unpleasant to hear, and most say it's better to use the music mode instead. One of the biggest complaints, however, is that the swing can operate only on batteries; no power adapter is included.

Beyond this, there aren't many budget baby swings that receive good reviews. One alternative, the Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Glider (*Est. $100), looks like an infant carrier on a base unit. More than 100 owners posting at Amazon.com contribute to this model's excellent overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The Soothing Motions Glider sits on a track that allows it to glide from side to side or front to back, and it features 16 songs. A couple of reviewers say their babies with acid reflux issues would sleep only in this glider.

However, the Soothing Motions Glider runs only off batteries and no power adapter is included. Some parents say its motor is too loud and, although the glider seems to soothe most babies, some parents report that their baby prefers traditional swings. One parent says a vibrating feature would be a nice added touch to this model.