Baby Swings

Best baby swings

In reviews, most experts and parents prefer cradle swings over other types. Standard swings move only back and forth. Cradle swings can rock either back and forth or side to side with a flip of a switch and a turn of the chair. Experts are quick to point out that the term "cradle swing" is misleading, since the baby sits in a seat on an incline rather than lying down. This incline position is preferable for many parents with younger (or smaller) babies with acid reflux, colic or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), offering one possible solution to the sleep problems caused by these conditions.

The most popular Fisher-Price cradle swing is the Papasan Cradle Swing (*est. $140) . This baby swing is modeled off of the comfy Papasan chairs made popular by import stores like Pier 1. We found about as many top ratings for the Papasan cradle swing as for the Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Cradle Swing, which is currently being phased out by Fisher-Price. The two share many basic features, including the same two-direction swing option, included mobile, toy bar and metal stand. The big difference is the Papasan's slightly more round-shaped seat, which parents say offers significant body support, especially for younger babies.

The latest versions of the Papasan cradle swing are the Starlight and the Butterfly Garden swings, both of which come in a tasteful, understated tan color scheme. Both swings have six swing speeds and a seat with two reclining positions. A big plus over earlier Papasan swings is that these two newest models have two power options. They can use either four D-sized batteries or can be plugged into a wall outlet with an included AC power adapter.

Parents on Amazon.com and Epinions say the Papasan swing is the perfect swing for babies who prefer motion while napping. Your choice between the two comes down to which color scheme you prefer and whether you prefer the more rounded seat on the Papasan swing. It also could be a matter of availability, since the Ocean Wonders swing is being phased out.

Remaining stock of the Ocean Wonders Cradle Swing (*est. $100) can still be found on some online shops like BabyCenter.com, and it is still being ordered and stocked at brick-and-mortar stores like Wal-Mart and Toys “R” Us. The battery-operated Ocean Wonders swing has an aquarium-themed globe that includes music, lights, bubbles, fish, water sounds and crashing waves, rain, bubbling brook sounds, eight songs, volume control and six swing speeds (the Baby Papasan swing also has these features). Both swings have a two-position seat recline, a moving mobile and a removable tray with a toy bar. There's a rear storage pouch for toys and supplies and built-in infant head support.

Fisher-Price is replacing the Ocean Wonders swing with the Fisher-Price Rainforest Open-Top Cradle Swing (not to be confused with the recently recalled Rainforest Open-Top Take-Along swing, which is a small and portable swing). The full-size Rainforest Cradle Swing isn't as well liked as the Ocean Wonders swing by parent reviewers, however, and the swing doesn't appear to be perfectly comparable. Some parents who tried both say their child didn't like the Rainforest version quite as much.

The Smart Stages 3-in-1 Rocker Swing (*est. $80) is another Fisher-Price swing. This swing has a trick up its sleeve -- it transitions from a swing to a rocker or chair for children up to 40 pounds. It has only two speeds, but it does have five songs with volume control and a removable toy bar. Reviews say it conveniently folds for storage. With the exception of one parent's complaint that the motor went out early in use, other parents say it's a great choice. We didn't see this model included in any professional reviews, however.

As for standard swings (which rock back and forth only), the Graco Lovin' Hugs swing (*est. $85) has a five-point harness and a curvier design. It has a Papasan-like seat design meant to be more supportive and comforting for infants. Like other baby swings, there are six speeds plus a four-position recline and 15 tunes. The big bonus in the Lovin' Hugs swing is that it can hold a heavier baby of up to 30 pounds, making it a good choice for older babies or those with special needs. We have not yet read any expert reviews for this swing, but parents rave about it in the small selection of reviews on Amazon.com. Parents of large babies praise the high 30-pound weight limit. The only complaint was the size of the base, which reviewers said is not for small spaces. One woman who runs a childcare facility said of all the swings she has used, the Lovin' Hugs is the best.

The legs on the Graco Silhouette swing (*est. $100) have a curvier shape than other swings. The Silhouette swing has a three-position recline and six speeds, along with music (classical and nature sounds). The real difference between this swing and others is that it has a five-point harness, which includes a lap belt plus shoulder straps. While a five-point belt takes a little more effort to fasten, it can help keep a squirmy baby more secure, and it will keep kids from trying to lean over the side. The Silhouette swing can accommodate babies up to 25 pounds. We found one top rating for this swing in professional reviews. There are not many parent-written reviews of the Silhouette yet, but it gets a handful of good reviews at Amazon.com. The small numbers of parent-written reviews on Target.com are mostly complaints; these range from the swing's motor not working to loud motor noise and too steep an incline for a small baby to be comfortable. One parent noted that it is hard to adjust.

While battery-operated swings are great for portability, reviews say they often run out of steam as babies get bigger and you always need to have batteries on hand. The budget Fisher-Price Power Plus (*est. $85) plugs into a wall outlet, but like the Papasan swings, can also use D batteries. But unlike the Papasan swings, the Power Plus swing isn't a cradle swing -- it only moves front to back. Features include ten songs, six speeds, a three-position reclining seat and three overhead toys to keep baby amused. While parent reviews are mainly very good, there were some complaints that kept this newer swing from outranking the Papasan Cradle Swing. For example, some parents say the seat does not recline enough and that the pad shrinks during its first washing. Still, the convenience of a plug-in swing may outweigh those issues for many parents.

The Kolcraft Perfect Height Swing with Mini Maestro (*est. $85) has an interesting feature: This swing adjusts to two heights. The higher height is most appropriate for newborns, and moms posting comments to opinion websites mention how nice it is not to have to bend over, especially for moms just home from the hospital. This swing also has a reclining seat, variable speed control, a removable newborn head-support roll and a seat lock. The lower height position for older infants adds the Mini Maestro Electronic Toy and removable snack tray. The swing also folds for storage. The swing can accommodate babies up to 25 pounds.

Travel swings

Some parents like travel swings for their mobility and convenience. Travel swings sit much lower to the ground, are lighter in weight and generally have fewer features than full-size swings. In general, we didn't find the same high ratings for portable swings as we did for full-size swings, however. Alternatives to portable swings include bouncers, which receive better reviews overall and often cost less.

The basic Fisher-Price Open-Top Take-Along Swing (*est. $40) gets mixed reviews. Some parents like it, but we read complaints that the reclining seat is not adjustable and is too upright for small infants. We also read that heavier babies won't experience much swinging motion. The seat fabric is not as padded and comfortable as that of many full-size swings. Because portable swings are compact and short, some parents are concerned that baby's head can come too close to the top bar or that baby's arms or fingers can get caught. The Fisher-Price Rainforest Take Along Swing was recalled because babies could get caught between the seat and the frame. Note, however, that the recalled Rainforest Take Along swing has a different design than other Fisher-Price swings.

Rather than a travel swing, parents might consider a bouncer. Made for infants who cannot yet sit up on their own, a vibrating bouncer such as the Fisher-Price Sensory Selections Bouncer (*est. $50) has fewer moving parts and thus fewer safety concerns.

Another Fisher-Price model, the Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Glider (*est. $65) is an alternative to the travel baby swing. This model looks like an infant carrier on a base unit. Almost 75 owners posting to Amazon.com contribute to this model's high average rating. The Soothing Motions Glider sits on a track that allows it to glide either side to side or front to back, and it features eight playful and eight soothing songs. A couple of reviewers state that their babies with acid reflux issues would only sleep in this glider, but there were some complaints that the motor was too loud and the gliding motion too slow to soothe babies to sleep. Overall, however, this alternative gets better reviews than any portable baby swing.

You might be wondering, as we did, what happened to the wind-up swings. The traditional wind-up swings were first introduced by Graco in 1955. Now, more than 50 years later, all of the major manufacturers, including Graco and Fisher-Price, have discontinued their wind-up swings. Although wind-up swings have improved over the years, they have been known for quirks such as losing momentum easily, lack of speed control, difficulty getting baby in and out and, the most common complaint, having to constantly wind them up. If you decide to purchase or borrow a used wind-up swing, be sure to check with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for any related safety or recall information.

Important Features: Baby swings

The following is what experts recommend looking for when shopping for baby swings:

• Look for smooth surfaces with no sharp edges, no small parts and no hinges or pinch points that are in reach of the baby.

• A wide base ensures against tipping.

• A five-point safety harness is best. Parents have reported some problems with three-point harnesses that enable an active baby to lean over the edge. The Fisher-Price swings have three-point belts. The Graco Silhouette and Lovin' Hugs swings are two of the few models with a five-point belt.

• A reclining seat is nice for a younger infant. Most models have an adjustable seat.

• Removable and washable padding is important for easier cleanup.

• Activity trays provide entertainment for your baby.

• Music can be soothing to a baby, but annoying to some parents who tire of hearing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" ad nauseam. Most models have music that can be turned off or lowered.

• A timer turns off the swing after baby is asleep.

• Swings with multiple swing motions (back and forth or side to side) can help if your child likes variety or prefers one motion over the other.

• A footprint that will fit well in your home. Some of the full-size swings can take up a significant amount of floor space, so you should be sure there is a place to allow room for the base to be fully extended and for the swing motion both back and forth and, if it's a cradle swing, side to side.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, parents shouldn't leave babies unsupervised in a swing. Young babies should be propped up so that their heads can't slump over -- a rolled-up towel can do the trick. Safety experts say you should always use the seat's safety belt.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
7	Fisher-Price Papasan Cradle Swing (*est. $140)	details
6	Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Cradle Swing (*est. $100)	-
4	Graco Swingomatic (Discontinued)	-
3	Fisher-Price Smart Stages 3-in-1 (*est. $80)	details
3	Fisher-Price Rainforest Open-Top Cradle Swing (*est. $100)	details
2	Graco Silhouette (*est. $100)	details
1 each	Graco Wind-up, Graco 6-Speed Swingomatic, Fisher-Price Open-Top Take-Along Swing , Fisher-Price Power Plus , Fisher-Price Starlight Papasan Cradle Swing , Eddie Bauer wooden swing

Fisher-Price easily receives the most recommendations in reviews, especially two cradle-swings, the Ocean Wonders Aquarium and Baby Papasan. The Ocean Wonders Aquarium Swing is currently being phased out although it still can be found in some shops and online stores. Graco swings are also liked. A new Graco swing, the Lovin' Hugs, improves on the discontinued Swingomatic with a higher 30-pound weight limit and a 5-point harness (which can be converted to a 3-point harness). We found some recommendations for travel swings, but we also found a lot of complaints about safety.

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