Bouncers vs. swings vs. activity centers or all three??

maureenmce

Hi again ladies, one last registry related question! (And again, thank you for being SO helpful re: breastfeeding accessories!)  Anyway, are you ladies getting (or STMS, do you already have) a bouncer and a swing and an activity center?  Or just one or two of those?  And, secondary question, with the activity centers, are you picking one for later on that the baby can sit in once she can hold her head up?  Or one for early on where the baby lies down in it and it's mat based?

And if I have a bouncer and an activity center how often do you use either one?  I think the activity centers I've been looking at (mat based) seem to be more for tummy time and then the baby looking up at the various shapes and things, so that would just be a couple times a day when I'm actively engaging and playing with baby, right?  The bouncer seems to be something I'd use more often as a place to put baby when I need my hands free or when she's fussy and needs to be soothed by the bouncing or vibrations.  The swing then seems kind of redundant to the bouncer, yes? Because I'd use it for the same reason?

And finally, any particular bouncers or activity centers (or swings, if you think those are good to have) you would recommend?  

I've been looking at this bouncer, which I love the look of, but hate the price tag!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D2CQA4I?colid=2TX112L1JV5IR&coliid=I3KV36PSZN7F6&redirect=true&ref_=br_it_dp_o_nS_ttl

And I've been looking at this activity center because it converts into a mini ball pit for when baby is big enough to sit up, which I think is too fun to pass up, haha.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DJPKA76?colid=2TX112L1JV5IR&coliid=I15MI9M6CGRQPC&redirect=true&ref_=br_it_dp_o_nS_ttl

I'm hoping to be relatively minimalist with all of the things I'm getting (though I feel that slipping away from me, haha) and would like to only get the things I really would get a lot of use out of!  Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks in advance!

jeanbug12

One of my kids loved the swing, the other didn't care for it, but I will be getting one for this LO. The bouncers are really great for using around the house, I would even put baby in the bouncer and put it in the bathroom so I could get a quick shower! I would recommend one with lights and sounds and stuff for baby to look at, it keeps the entertained for a few minutes anyway! I never had one of those floor activity mats, I always liked just a blanket on the floor. I did have one that baby stood in when they got older and could bounce and play, both my kiddos loved that.

Mommyduclos

My kids don't really take to swings- so even though I had them with my other two I probably won't be buying one this time. I love bouncers. I always had two. One was more comfy and soothing and the other a little more playful with fun music and toys. The activity mat is great too. It's nice to be able to give them different things to look at throughout the day. With pets/ other kids something to get them off the floor is critical. So for me bouncer is critical. Playmat is nice and swing I will skip, but some babies love the swing so you may want one. I don't think there's any problem registering for all though- see what you get as gifts and what baby seems to enjoy and then you can always buy the others later.

Mommyduclos

If you want to go minimalist though I vote bouncer and play mat play may folds up and bouncers are generally much smaller and more portable than swings so you could move it around your house

samara267

someone gave me their used baby bjorn bouncer seat and excersaucer (or however the hell you spell that). I was also given a bunch of play mats. I'm skipping the swing for now. if someone gives me one, great. Otherwise, I'll do without. I also want to avoid as much plastic as I can, especially things with lights and sounds. I'm going with more attachment parenting type stuff (baby wearing, etc.) than places to put her down to keep her entertained on her own.

Cejiml

Stm. We used all 3 with my first. I think that they are useful for different stages. We had a mamaroo that we used until she was 4 months(like the bouncer). Then I used the swing when she got bigger and she napped there. The activity mat we LOVED! I actually just got the one in your link for my next by we used the first one to the ground! A couple of her firsts happened on it. And we used it until she was old enough to crawl around. If you want to skip one maybe the bouncer seat but it's preference.

Monilee1017

I don't want to say this but you won't know what your kids wants until you try. Both my kids hated the activity mat. They were happier on a blanket with toys all around them. My first loved the swing and hated the bouncer and me second hated the swing and loved the bouncer. Sorry I'm not any help.

ashs88

We had all three for DS. We had two bouncers, one for upstairs and one downstairs, and we were given two playmats. I hadn't planned on getting a swing but a friend gave us her old one. DS loved the bouncers. We just had pretty cheap ones. I got one at a garage sale for like $5 and all it did was bounce and vibrate. The other was given to us and it was basically the same thing except it had an attachment that went over top with hanging toys and lights/music. When DS was really little he would love just sitting in the bouncer with the vibration and as he got older he had a blast kicking his legs to make himself bounce. He never really slept in the bouncers much. He did sleep in the swing some, but it definitely wasn't something we relied on. The playmats were great for tummy time and also just to give him something to do and play with. The first time he rolled over was when he was laying on the playmat trying to get to a toy on the opposite side. If I had to give one thing up it would be the swing, but I've heard some babies really take to them and some just don't.

MeghaJake

We also used all three as others have said. Bouncers are good for their portability, swings are good for sleep, and activity mats are good for tummy time. I actually sold my bouncer and swing because I didn't think I'd have any more kids. I have already bought new (used) ones for this baby. I bought a different swing (cradle) for my son because he didn't like the traditional swing my daughter used so at one point I had two swings.

maureenmce

Thanks, guys!  This has been helpful!

BarrettJ89

We have/had all of them for my son. The bouncer was great when he was still really little to help soothe him so I could get something done (like pee). As a little baby, the play mat/activity center was also a hit. He slept in his swing until he was like 7 months old (terrible, I know, but he was such a stubborn child). As he got older, we got a stand up, bouncy play gym, which was awesome for giving me the chance to do dishes and such, all while exercising his legs and teaching him how to use them.

kmo8986

We have a graco swing that is also a bouncer. The seat of the swing lifts out and can be moved and is a bouncer seat. It is great because it is all one piece but still both items. We also have an activity mat that is a ball pit when the baby is bigger. I wouldn't do without either of those items with number 2

JoJoMama730

Yep, we used all 3 also, at various points. But good heavens, don't get the most expensive ones, because you have no idea whether your child will care for it or not.

MamaHolland

I got all three just to be prepared because I heard that it just depends on the baby.

mamakculb

We used our swing a lot, our activity mat sometimes, I never had a bouncer, and my son LOVED his Exersaucer. My point is- It really differs for each baby, which I know isn't super helpful. My advice is, don't break the bank on these purchases. I am a huge lover of a local kids resale shop where I bought a wonderful swing for $49, an activity mat for $12, and an exersaucer for $35. Plus, when he outgrew one I just sold it back for money towards the next one. Just bought another swing for DD in January and will probably get an activity mat before she arrives. Hopefully you can get some good deals and baby loves whatever you buy!

willashbaby

We got the tummy time mat, we're borrowing a swing, we also registered for an activity center/jumper, kick and play piano, and a sit n stand walker. Some we be at our house and some will be at my Mom's (she's watching LO). So we will have variety but not all in our living room

Most of the items were pretty inexpensive, $50 or less.

AlabamaWorley

The swing was great for both boys. It was a sanity saver sometimes.
The bouncy/vibrating chair was good while they were still pretty little for when I needed a shower or wanted to eat something without holding the baby. I also put them in there for my morning pumping session, since seeing/hearing the baby helps the milk flow.
The exer-saucer/jumper thing was good after they were able to support themselves. Both had a blast in them.
I had the activity mats, but rarely used them. I would always just lay a blanket on the floor with some toys and all was good.

usernametaken1

Holy shit this is giving me PTSD from all the little baby crap with enormous footprints that people insisted we have. Not that I wasn't grateful for the kind gifts, but seriously. Who has that kind of space, the swing alone is like 5x5x4.

I vote doorframe bouncer (so you can have a shower) and roll up play mat!

teachmegs817

We registered for a swing, play mat, and a stationary jumper/exo-saucer. A friend of ours gave us a different swing, which we are hoping will come in handy because the plan is to have one upstairs and leave one down in the living room.  Hoping that he takes to both and doesn't have preference over another.

deedeecmc79

the swing was a life saver!

deedeecmc79

Don't worry you won't need all that stuff. A swing for the beginning and a bouncer for later ( it keeps them in place so you can do things) Hand-me-downs are the best too!

TTiger03

I second the resale shops. I have been getting used items from friends and good condition second hand items. Of course I didn't get the carseats that way and insisted on new mattresses, but unless it is gifted I didn't want to spend full price for something I dont know if babies will like.

Also, my mom used to tell new twin moms if at all possible on these type items mentioned to only open one if you get two as gifts. That way if one baby likes it and the other doesn't you can return one.
Having my own twins I'm trying to keep it to one swing, one bouncer, one mat, etc and get more if I need them or duplicates go to grandma's house.