Do I really need a bouncer AND a swing?

Leelee06

I know they do different things and every baby has its own preference, but really do I need both?

lilcrablegs

I only needed both because I put one upstairs and one downstairs.  The swing was more useful to us, so I would choose that if I were only going to get one.

Leelee06

lilcrablegs:

I only needed both because I put one upstairs and one downstairs.  The swing was more useful to us, so I would choose that if I were only going to get one.

Ahh, two locations is a good reason to have both.  I was thinking that I could take the little bouncer around the house with me, like in the bathroom while I do my hair, makeup, and such.  But of course the swing will be more helpful.  I just need to hear that both are or aren't worth the money and are or aren't useful. 

MrsAO

They were both useful to me.  Bouncer more so early on, and the swing we're still using as it occupies him long enough for me to shower quickly or iron or something like that if I need to.  Even strapped in I think the the boucer would be a danger to him at this point.

SeasideBride06

I couldn't live without the bouncer in the beginning!  I toted her all over the house in that thing while I did things.  Now the swing...we had it downstairs and she never liked it.  She would scream in that thing...I guess except for 3-4 times.  I know it is one of those things either babies really seem to love, or really hate. 

Temp206787500007404

Payton still sleeps in her swing!  It resides in our room permanently.

The bouncer she's not been much of a fan of until the past few weeks.  She's just getting big enough to actually bounce it and will sit in it now for about 30 minutes at a time and just kick away while watching us or a Baby Einstein video while I shower.

Every baby is different -- I would buy something from CL or a garage sale until you know what your baby will like, the invest in something good.

mrssamuels2b

I got a total of 3 bouncers as shower gifts so needless to say we're gonna start with those...I'll probably do one upstairs, one down and one over my grandma's(the caregiver).

My brother and SIL used these with my neices and they LOVED them!

ricejl

I'm glad you asked because I was wondering the same thing. I've heard of people using both but the swings I was looking at in Target seemed really lightweight and as long as they fit through a door why couldn't I move them from room to room (of course the baby wouldn't be in it while I'm moving it). i did read in Baby Bargains that the bouncer is a good thing to get at garage sales. However my SIL has a bouncer that she clips into the swing so she can take the bouncer off whenever she wants to.

MissLMS

We almost never used our bouncer, but we still can't live without our swing. (We are slowly weaning Kennedy from taking her naps in it.)

Of all the baby things, the FP papasan-style swing is the one thing I would say we "had" to have. I'm glad we didn't spend a lot of money on it, either. We bought it for $50 at a consignment sale.

Leelee06

Thanks, ladies!  I will hit up some consignment sales this Spring.  Guess I will be trying out both!

stefjeff84

Sam doesn't really like either one yet, but prefers the swing over the bouncer if I had to make a choice. Hopefully she will get more used to them, and let me put her down more often, other than just when she is sleeping. lol

RachelJohnson

It's funny how different babies are! Abby loved her bouncer, but didn't like her swing. We've already sold her swing because all it was doing was collecting dust! lol.

MrsJRT

We also had the child that HATED the swing, so we never used it...ever.  However, we used the bouncy seat all of the time.  When we started solids, we used the bouncy seat for feedings, b/c he was still a little too small for my liking for the high chair.

sdkrlm

each kid is really different. Avery could have lived without her swing but enjoyed her bouncer - but in reality, woudl have been just as content laying on a blanket.

 

one thing I wish I woudl have looked into more is either the bouncy/swing combo (the bouncer comes off the swing) or a travel swing...ours was huge and took up a lot of room...

 

oh and we had some super fancy bouncer thing - I wish I wousl have gotten a simpler one

amy0887

I agree with Sarah about the swing being huge.  John prefers the swing, but it's just too big too drag around the house.  I kind of wish we had just got the travel swing since he hates the side to side swinging.  He has just started to like the bouncy seat.  I think it laid him too far back and aggravated his reflux. 

 

lisap_30

I'd get both if you can b/c you never really know what your baby will like.  Like pp's, consignment is the way to go b/c they can be expensive brand new!

jessloveschase08

I need them both. The bounder is upstairs and I use it if I want to take a shower and the swing is downstairs and it helps to keep in occupied. Bouncers aren't too expensive and they are convienent! HTH

AllisonLeigh

Jake loved the swing and hated the bouncer at first. Now it is the other way around. I did by the swing used though which helped on the price. The bouncer is nice if I just need somewhere to set him for a minute or while I take a shower. He has started to like the bouncer because now he can play with the toys attached to it. He also likes to turn the vibration on and off with his feet.

emmiegirl77

we used both with Hannah... she loved her swing and would take naps in it and the bouncer was great to do like you mentioned- move around the house with me like when I took a shower, was in the kitchen, etc.  Then she could hang out with me and I could keep a close eye on her!!  

Leelee06

Thanks so much for all of your advice.  The swing is definitely more expensive than the bouncer, so I will look for a used one for sure.