If you had to pick between the two...

mrsgrabmeier · June 2009

Had my shower yesterday got many nice things-and a few that NEED to be returned...haha. We received a lot of gift cards and some cash and DH and I are now debating between a swing (Fisher Price My Little Lamb papasan cradle) or a Graco Pack and Play. Both the IL's have pack and plays, and I'm sure if need be we could borrow one if we needed to. Although the swing probably wouldn't be used for more than a year...any thoughts? We could end up getting both in the end, just seeing if both were really needed or not. TIA!

Aliliv · June 2009

If in-laws both have pack and plays, I would choose to keep the swing.

SharonWantsABaby · June 2009

I have that swing, I love it!

MrsBeckO · June 2009

Swing for sure. Hands down.?

?

aniceucchik · June 2009

i am getting the lamb swing!!!...but i already have a pnp. We will use the pnp in our room as a bed for LO in the beginning since it has the bassinet on top...

war_eagle · June 2009

Does one have to be returned now? ?Maybe you can hold on to them and see what really need when the time comes, and then return what you find you aren't missing.

Mommy2B_Hart · June 2009

I'm lusting over that swing!

mariannerules · June 2009

I don't plan on getting a swing at all. I think the pack n plays have more use.

JCM083009 · June 2009

mariannerules:
I don't plan on getting a swing at all. I think the pack n plays have more use.

Ditto. We are co sleeping for a few months, so we need some sort of pack n play or our room.

war_eagle · June 2009

war_eagle:
Does one have to be returned now? ?Maybe you can hold on to them and see what really need when the time comes, and then return what you find you aren't missing.

I'm an idiot and misread your post. ?I'd just wait and see what you find you really want when the time comes. ??

madonnadouwanna · June 2009

get the swing. most babies love this item. if you do not need a pack and play then you could always hold off.

rrodgers803 · June 2009

war_eagle:
Does one have to be returned now? Maybe you can hold on to them and see what really need when the time comes, and then return what you find you aren't missing.

this is what i would do

LoveEeyore · June 2009

I would wait. The PNP is nice if you have more than one level then you have an excellent place for diaper changes and naps, and even a place to stow the baby so you can pee by yourself. My DD HATED the swing, so I am inclined not to get one for the twins, though all DCs have different sensory needs...IF your DC is colicky, I imagine the swing will be a godsend. If not, the pnp may be more handy.

LaneyM · June 2009

Depends on your sleeping situation. ?I have both (little lamb swing & gracco pnp) but need the pnp for main-level naps & changes b/c nursery is upstairs...steep stairs mind you. ?I hear most babies either love the swing or the bouncer, so maybe get the little lamb bouncer if you have to return for money reasons? ?But i would really want both so hopefully in the end it will work out. ?LOVE LOVE LOVE the little lamb swing ~ it is too precious!!?

Jenny3 · June 2009

I'd hold off on getting anything right now and use the gift card for a toddler car seat or something else down the line.

If it is only between those two items, go for the PNP. You'll get way more use out of it, especially that some babies hate the swing (my 2nd DD despised it) and they are only in it for 4-5 months max. A friend of mine has that swing and it is very cute, but not cute enough to waste a gift card on, IMO.

Can you borrow a swing?

Bride7-7-07 · June 2009

Aliliv:
If in-laws both have pack and plays, I would choose to keep the swing.

Ditto

BuddhaKitty · June 2009

I would say the hell with it and get BOTH (that's just me, hehe)

tumpkin · June 2009

If you could keep both, then keep both. I have a swing, which I have in the living room. It'll be nice to have the baby there while we are in the living room/kitchen area. I also have the PNP set up in my bedroom. That is where he will sleep for the first 3 or so months (in the bassinet feature). Then we'll use it as a playpen when he gets a bit older. My mom will be taking care of him when I go back to work, so we registered for a PNP for her house as well. Those things weigh a bit and are a mission to close and open everyday. Instead of carrying it all around Miami, from my house to my mom's or from my mom's house to our house, I have one permanently for my house, and one for my mom's.

Aliliv · June 2009

Here's another thought: If both in-laws have pack and plays, could you borrow one until you decide on buying one for yourself? DD loved the swing, so I'm biased. She was in it for around 9 months (always supervised - and usally sleeping)! She absolutely loved the ride and it was a relaxing place for her, especially if she was cranky. You could buy the swing, try it out with your DC and if your DC doesn't like it, then return it. Or, if you could borrow a swing as well to try out..... I know there are alot of pack n' plays for over $200 brand new, but Graco does sell a few for around the $100 mark. So, depending on how much in gift cards you got, you may be able to both (or both partially paid for.....)

RachB · June 2009

I would say get the Pack n Play unless you have a bassinet that the baby will be sleeping in when he comes home. That is the main reason we got one so we could have baby in the room with us for a few weeks at home plus we travel a lot.

Natalie27 · June 2009

I'd do the swing.

IselaCid · June 2009

The swing. We couldn't have lived without the swing for the first year. We never even got a pack n play.

nbjenni · June 2009

I could not live without my swings. My girls still take naps in them, at almost 9 months old.

katypresson · June 2009

If I were you, I would look on Craigslist for a pack and play...we got ours for $25, looks brand new! I would definately buy the swing...my MIL said that hers was a life saver when her kids were little...it's like an instant babysitter!

JasonsMauiMama · June 2009

nbjenni:
I could not live without my swings. My girls still take naps in them, at almost 9 months old.

Ditto. The swing was a lifesaver when DS was little. He was on the small side, so we got to use it until he was over a year old. I don't know how Dh and I would have been able to eat dinner without it!

erino&chrish · June 2009

We have the little lamb swing and we love it (although we haven't had LO yet to see if HE likes it). We got our Graco Pack-N-Play new on Ebay for $56. I'd go for the swing, then if you need a Pack-N-Play you could always borrow, get one cheap on Ebay, or buy one off Craigslist.

one_more_girl · June 2009

For sure the swing. Baby can nap and be entertained in there! I got the lamb swing and it's super sweet and has gotten great reviews!

Mike&Care · June 2009

IselaCid:
The swing. We couldn't have lived without the swing for the first year. We never even got a pack n play.

Ditto. I think it's odd that some people think a swing is "useless". Makes me think they have never dealt with a screaming uncontrollable baby that can only be soothed by the swing...