Stupid FTM question

V&G101808 · February 2013

Alright BTDT moms, don't laugh!!

I've become obsessed with the Babies R Us website and just trying to get a feel for the major items we'll need and what to register for.

So - I see that there are bouncers and swings. The swings look like they take up a lot of floor space and are pricier than the bouncers. Most of the bouncers are "less fancy" compared to the swings (but really, some of these items are ridiculously fancy, IMO).

Which do you have and what do you suggest?
Any reason why one is better than the other?

Thanks!

LnR70707 · February 2013

Both! (and totally not flameworthy to obsess, it is fun!)

Both our swing and the bouncer were life savers for us. We got a simple bouncer (basic frame with cover and it actually bouced with movement, not one of the big vibrate only things) and it was great because you could set it at your feet and bounce it while eating/watching TV/pumping etc. I'd also set it in the bathroom while I showered or even outside in the summer because it fit easily in the little pop up shade tent we had. DS didn't really care for the swing until 2 months or so, but around that time he stopped wanting to nap in the PnP and the swing was the only place he'd nap other than being held.

JGM281207 · February 2013

Unfortunately a lot of baby stuff takes up a lot of space but in my opinion you probably need both! sorry

Swing for a lot of babies is the gateway to naps early on, and the bouncer is really helpful because you can drag it around the house with you while you get stuff done (think shower!)

MommyAmes2 · February 2013

A swing IMO is a must. My kids both loved the swing. You really don't need a fancy swing that costs a furtune. They all do the samething.

Neither one of my kids really spent a lot of time in the bouncer. This time around we are getting the rock n play (have heard great things about it).

ETA: I used the bouncer when I would shower. It is easy to drag it from room to room when you need to get something done.

NiksMama · February 2013

Neither. I thought both were a waste of money and space. We got by just find without them.

amarissa85 · February 2013

Swings are a must for sure. If you don't want them both I say get the swing but I will be getting both. I was looking at the Snug a Bunny swing at BRU. I really like how that one rocks and the different positions you can move the swing into. But you could just get a basic swing if you don't want to spend the extra money.

punkin05 · February 2013

There are definitely benefits to both. A bouncer is nice because you can take it with you to the bathroom and baby can hang out/nap in it while you shower, it's portable so you can move it to wherever you are in the house and they're relatively inexpensive.

A swing is nice because the movement helps soothe a lot of newborns. It's nice to put them in it for a little while so they can nap and you know exactly where they are. The downside: they do take up a lot of room. Even the smallest models take up a corner of any room.

My DS loved the swing. If he was a little fussy and I put him in it, he would settle right down. He'd either just take in all his surroundings or he'd fall asleep. We had bouncers for at the grandparents since they are much less expensive.

Something to keep in mind: some babies HATE these things. We got a swing from a family member for free, so we had one when DS was born, but I recommend borrowing one if possible when LO is born. That way you can see how they feel about it and not waste $75-$150 for something that just takes up space.

SarahKate31 · February 2013

Unfortunately, you're not going to be able to know the answer to this until your baby is here and decides which one (if either) he/she likes better. Get both. For us, the bouncy seat was an absolute must. The swing - eh. DS wasn't a huge fan although he did sleep in it for a month. Other people might tell you the opposite - it depends on the kid! And either way, you will probably be done with both by 6 months. Look at travel swings - they are smaller and less expensive!

plunderb · February 2013

DD didn't have a swing because we lived in a small apartment, but I might try one this time because we have more space.

She didn't prefer the bouncer, but she loooooved her Rock n Play. We got a detachable mobile arm and clipped it on the side so we could dangle rings and toys for her. It was super easy to rock with a foot while pumping or reading, and doubled as a good travel bed.

magdalina.h · February 2013

We have a fugly graco swing that doubles as a swing and a bouncer. The swing was a life saver! It's ugly, but it plugs into the wall and that was the best for us. We didn't have to worry about batteries. We rarely took the seat out of the swing to use as a bouncer, but when we did, it was nice.

atoz625 · February 2013

Swing was a must for us, the bouncer was nice.

DS slept through the night in the swing at 8 weeks, and continued to sleep there through almost 6 months. The transition to the crib was easy.

The bouncer was great for shorter naps, and just putting him down to play.

All gear takes up a lot of space, and you're not really going to get around that for a long time (think toys, after gear, and they only get bigger as they get older!) But for us, I'm glad we had both options available right away. I agree with one of the PP's- you may not know what will sync with your baby right away, but I'd rather have my options at my disposal rather than being stressed about it.

rayandbrit · February 2013

Agree with PP who said get both. Unfortunately, they do take up a lot of room, and your LO may end up not liking one, but I'd say the odds are greater that you'll need them.

IMO, get the bare bones basic one, all the bells & whistles get old quick and aren't necessary.

cole2144 · February 2013

Swing is a must have for us. It was a lifesaver with DS!

lisamoe · February 2013

We had a swing, bouncer and rock n play.

DS hated the swing, loved the bouncer the first couple months, and we used the rock n play most for about 6 months.

I think every baby is different as far as their preferences. My next on may love the swing!

If you are having a shower I would def register for both

bananacupcake · February 2013

You know... I thought the very same thing my first time and only got the swing.
I ended up wearing DD constantly when she wasn't in the swing.

I think I will be getting a bouncer this time though, I think it will be better for my back, DD and baby to have our own space, but we'll see.

I see my friend with twins, and she has them in the bouncer most of the time, and only uses the swing when they are fussy/sleepy.

Ladydianna · February 2013

We only had a travel swing. I was able to take it into different rooms of the house and could hang rings/toys off the bar. Dd1 didn't like the swing part but loved the music / lights and playing with the toys. Dd2 was all about the swing and would still try to use it if I let her!

kateisgreat · February 2013

We used both on a regular basis. DD would wake up at 5am everyday and not go back to sleep until I put her in the swing. I slept on the couch next to her every morning. We also put the bouncer in the bathroom so we could shower, but it was also convenient to drag DD around the house with us while we were doing other stuff like cook dinner.

V&G101808 · February 2013

Thanks ladies for the input!! Looks like I may just go ahead and register for both. My friend who gave birth last year really loved her bouncer and didn't get a swing which was sort of why I thought perhaps one was better than the other. But it sounds like it varies per baby so we may just go ahead and try both!

Thanks again!!

BelhurstBride · February 2013

The swing was a lifesaver.

She hated the bouncer.

Not a dumb questions, I was totally overwhelmed by BRU, too. I also was anti swing and wanted to get by without extra crap in my house. Everyone swore I needed one so we got a basic model that plugged in.

BlueJewelM · February 2013

I used both. I kept the bouncer on the top floor and the swing on the main floor.

I went with the snug a bunny swing, which is great. But a beast!!!

If I could go back in time...I would have gotten a travel swing I could plug in. He would have slept better in the travel swing than the HUGE pnp while at my parents house. And less bulky.

katiebenes · February 2013

From working in a nursery, I learned that some babies only calm to the bouncer motion and some only calm to the swing...

we're starting research on the swing we want since I had only researched bouncers.

Soleil3 · February 2013

Wait to buy until after you have the kid. Swings made my kiddos throw up, and they loved the bouncer. If you wait though, you can return it within x days is the kiddo doesn't like it. If you don't, you'll have to try to CL it for a fraction of the price because people are cheap.

Soleil3 · February 2013

Oh, and the bouncers mobility was awesome, much easier to move around the house / take to the inlaws than the swing.

JET29 · February 2013

We didn't have a bouncer and I never missed it.

We had a portable swing, similar to this one. I liked it because it was easy to take from room to room. He LOVED his swing and we used it a lot in the early months.

If we had used one of the bigger swings that wasn't as portable, I guess it might have been nice to have a bouncer too. I really liked being able to move the swing from room to room.

JilllyBean · February 2013

If you get them from buy buy baby, they will pretty much take anything back, whenever. So if they didn't like it, you could always take it back

rissa06 · February 2013

We have both. Both kids hated the swing, but loved the bouncy seat.

Danaeursery · February 2013

We have a 2 in 1 the bouncy seat clips into the swing. I cant wait to use it lol.. Someone gave it to use. Id never seen ine befor and wouldnt know were to tell you to look.

GeniyaK · February 2013

That's the one we registered for! It's on the way now, my cousin had one like it and told me its a life saver lol

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