bouncers vs swings

e+jfamily08

which are better? I already got a bright starts portable swing (one that only goes back and forth) because I don't like how bulky most swings are but do you think a bouncer is necessary too for when the baby is really little?

Mrs.Saxy

the vibrating bouncer was DS's favorite. We used the swing (multidirectional) but teh bouncer was the clear winner.

mchupie

Both have been absolute must haves for us.  You could wait and see how baby likes the swing, or just pick up a used bouncer if you're worried about $.

Soon2BMrsN

We had, used, and loved both.  We had a simple Bright Starts vibrating bouncer (no frills; it was less than $30) that was DS's favorite place to sit when he was awake from 0-5 months.  I'd set him in it any time I couldn't hold him (cooking, showering, etc.)  The swing, on the other hand, is practically the only place he would sleep for a few months.  He never slept in the bouncer and was never just awake in the swing, so we definitely needed both.

LittleApple

DD loves her bouncer and could do without the swing.  All depends on the kid!

CrazyToast

It's totally dependent on the kid.  We didn't have a bouncer at first - then got one from a friend 2nd hand - it was the ONLY way to shower during the day when DD was little.  DD loved that thing.

The swing - I was reluctant to buy.  I bought the FP one that plugs in and is a cradle and swing.  DD only wanted to go side to side (not front to back like travel swings).  It was the place she napped 3-4 hours/day for the first 4 months.  We couldn't have lived without it!!

We actually still have both out, but they're rarely used now.

abell77

It's not really a matter of what is better because each baby is different and some prefer one over the other.  I was fortunate that I received both at my shower, and I liked having the bouncer for while I showered, and it was easy to move around to different locations in the house, but the swing was nice for when I needed to prepare a meal, fold laundry, etc. because ds seemed to tolerate the swing for longer periods of time.

Quizzle

We bought a FP Rainforest Bouncer from a consignment store for 20 bucks... seriously, it was the best 20 bucks we spent. It was a lifesaver, since we could put her down there and we'd carry it from room to room with us.

Once she was older, we borrowed a swing and she loved it too. We could actually eat dinner together once we got it. 

GingerCupcake

DD1 never liked her bouncer. It was a cheapy Bright Starts bouncer but she cried whenever we put her in it. Her swing was another story! We had the Fisher Price Starlight Papasan Swing and she LOVED that thing! We bought it secondhand for a great deal but I would have been okay with it if we had paid full price because we got so much use out of it. There were only 3 places DD would sleep during the first 3 months, someone's arms, the bassinet, or the swing.

maddiemoon43

This one (Fisher Price Swing-N-Rocker) has been purchased from our registry.  It is both a swing and a bouncer.