Rocker vs. Bouncer vs. Swing

OneLastRefrain · November 2014

Starting to look at registry items. What's everyone's consensus on a bouncer vs. a rocker vs. a swing? I don't think it's necessary to have all of these machines, but how are you supposed to know what the baby will like the best? Or is there one that's universally preferred over the other? My friend's son likes the swing, but she doesn't have the other two options, I don't think.

HZ2012 · November 2014

When you say rocker do you mean the rock n play sleeper? Ds1 loved all 3 of these things, and we used them at different times and in different rooms.

He LOVED his swing, stayed in it till he was about 5 months - he was way too big to continue going in it. He napped in there and just hung out in there and watched the mobile.

He loved the bouncy seat after he was about 2 months old, till he was also too big for that, I think around 8-9 months. I brought it in the bathroom so I could shower, in my room so I could get dressed, etc.

The RNP we used occasionally for sleep when he was congested, or when we just needed another comfy seat for him either in our house or when we traveled. It folds up nice and thin and is easy to transport. (If, this is what you meant by rocker

. )

Hope this helped!

theinvadermothership · November 2014

I was honestly looking at a swing that also converted to a rocker. Leaning towards something that is a 2 in 1 just to save money in case baby dislikes one or the other.

Eta: here's a link of what i was looking at. https://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Graco-DuetSoothe-Swing-Rocker-Sapphire/33356888?type=shop-by-department

MagalinaH · November 2014

We registered for a combo. It is a bouncer and swing in one and isn't too bulky. https://www.target.com/p/ingenuity-convertme-swing-2-seat-sahara-burst/-/A-14580287?registryId=Th_AqTt-BalZDm_8zQYQtQ&regTitle=Maggie & Jake's&regMode=GG&itemLineNum=88&reqQty=1&regPurQty=0&regPage=RGG&preSelFlag=1&cr=true

mhickey426 · November 2014

It's hit or miss what baby will like. I had a swing and was given a hand me down bouncy seat. She liked the swing and would fall asleep in it sometimes for naps. the bouncy seat was nice cause I could move it from room to room. I know my niece hated the swing. Pick what u like and if it works great!

OneLastRefrain · November 2014

HZ2012 said:

When you say rocker do you mean the rock n play sleeper? Ds1 loved all 3 of these things, and we used them at different times and in different rooms. He LOVED his swing, stayed in it till he was about 5 months - he was way too big to continue going in it. He napped in there and just hung out in there and watched the mobile. He loved the bouncy seat after he was about 2 months old, till he was also too big for that, I think around 8-9 months. I brought it in the bathroom so I could shower, in my room so I could get dressed, etc. The RNP we used occasionally for sleep when he was congested, or when we just needed another comfy seat for him either in our house or when we traveled. It folds up nice and thin and is easy to transport. (If, this is what you meant by rocker . ) Hope this helped!

Here is what I'm seeing:

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/fisher-price-reg-my-little-snugapuppy-trade-cradle-n-39-swing/1041288931?Keyword=baby+swing

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/fisher-price-reg-my-little-snugapuppy-deluxe-bouncer/1041310052

https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/fisher-price-reg-my-little-snugapuppy-deluxe-rock-n-39-play-sleeper/1041310069

rmaurer08 · November 2014

Our first used all 3 at different stages, and loved them all!! Sorry, that might not be much help to you, but all were needed for us. Our swing was a hand-me-down and has totally junked out on us for this baby, so we are splurging on the Mamaroo Bouncer. It does all the same functions our swing did and it has a much smaller footprint than our swing. I have high hopes!!

bowman958 · November 2014

It's literally impossible to know which of these things your baby will prefer, if any of them at all. I have a bouncer and a swing, and DD would deal with the bouncer for short periods, and was occasionally into the swing, but she mostly liked to be held. I wouldn't *not* have somewhere to put the baby, because sometimes you need to get something done, and they can fuss for five minutes in a place where they are safe so you can do it. If I had to choose only one of the items you mentioned, I would go with a bouncer.

HZ2012 · November 2014

Gotcha - yes that's the RNP. We had a different bouncer, it's the Fisher Price green one (don't know the exact name) but it had a bar in front with lights and animals and things hanging that baby can touch and play with, it was more entertaining.

I say register for all 3... If baby doesn't like one or all, return them. Every baby is different. I know some babies who hate the swing. My kid was obsessed with it.

lindsayanne14 · November 2014

I loved having the bouncer because of its portability. DS was safely strapped in during practically every shower I took for his first 4 months. We also have a very small swing, space was limited and I couldn't imagine one of the large ones taking up a good part of my living room. My mom used the swing a lot (she watches DS when I work), but I could have done without it. We also have a rock n play and I used it as a bassinet when DS was in our room.

I guess you could use all or none of them depending on your budget, space and baby's preferences. I personally registered for the least cumbersome, decently priced version of each and used each at different times.

bugandmonchhichi · November 2014

I'm on my third and I'd say every baby is different so it's hard to say. My first never say in the bouncer or swing. My second would sit in the swing a little but never loved it, so I sold it and don't plan to get another. However the rock n play was one of those things I thought I didn't need, but turned out to be a lifesaver with her. It definitely turned out to be a necessity and we'll be using it again for sure (even though it's purple and we're having a boy this time :P). Even for things as simple as taking a shower. Used it all the time.

redneckmomma25 · November 2014

I feel like we've already done this....

We used all 3 of those things. Some days she liked something different. DD slept in the rnp until 5mo old. She loved the bounce seat for a few months and the swing off and on.

OneLastRefrain · November 2014

Thanks, I feel a little less overwhelmed now.

Mushibamboo · November 2014

rmaurer08 said:
Our first used all 3 at different stages, and loved them all!! Sorry, that might not be much help to you, but all were needed for us. Our swing was a hand-me-down and has totally junked out on us for this baby, so we are splurging on the Mamaroo Bouncer. It does all the same functions our swing did and it has a much smaller footprint than our swing. I have high hopes!!

My sis has this for her LO and she loves it! I get videos of her on her "flying saucer" all the time.

topaz7777 · November 2014

bowman958 said:

It's literally impossible to know which of these things your baby will prefer, if any of them at all. I have a bouncer and a swing, and DD would deal with the bouncer for short periods, and was occasionally into the swing, but she mostly liked to be held. I wouldn't *not* have somewhere to put the baby, because sometimes you need to get something done, and they can fuss for five minutes in a place where they are safe so you can do it. If I had to choose only one of the items you mentioned, I would go with a bouncer.

This. We tried all of them. DD hated the swing. We consigned it and switched to a swing that went in a different direction. She hated that also. She only liked the bouncer. I completely anticipate this LO having it's own opinion on the matter.

I will recommend though, if you get a swing, get one that plugs into the wall. The batteries on those things die quick and if your LO likes it, you will definitely be glad you got one that is AC powered.

DixieNormous330 · November 2014

better to borrow from someone before registering. Find out what the kiddo likes before purchasing

kread8 · November 2014

theinvadermothership said:

I was honestly looking at a swing that also converted to a rocker. Leaning towards something that is a 2 in 1 just to save money in case baby dislikes one or the other. Eta: here's a link of what i was looking at. https://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Graco-DuetSoothe-Swing-Rocker-Sapphire/33356888?type=shop-by-department

I haven't read all the comments, but we got this swing/rocker combo and I hated it. We ended up buying a cheap and lightweight bouncer from target (I think it was a total of $30) and used that ALL the time. The rocker on this one is heavy and bulky and hard to move around to different rooms of the house. I also think the swing on this isn't nearly as good or reliable as the one on the snugabunny. If I were to do it all over again I would have gotten the snugabunny swing and a separate bouncer.

To answer the OP - it really depends on your baby. I hated getting this answer when I was a FTM working on my registry but, unfortunately, it's the truth. My son didn't care for the swing and we only used it a few times. I have friends whose babies LOVED the swing and they used it until their kiddos got WAY too big for it. My son loved the RnP and slept in it exclusively for the first 8ish months of his life. He wouldn't sleep flat from day 1 in the hospital and had to be on an incline. The bouncer we used sooooooooooo much until he could sit up on his own and I definitely think having a cheap and lightweight bouncer is worth its weight in gold.

CivilMommy · November 2014

I got more use out of the swing for my first 2. The bouncer was ok - but the swing calmed them better. I've never had a RNP so I can't comment on that.

I had a FP infant to toddler rocker (a bouncy type seat that turns into a toddler chair) for #2...my older one used it more than the baby!

miracle4x · November 2014

I was just thinking about this. This is my 4th baby, and let me tell you, you start to realize by this time what you really need and don't need! With my last one, I had the swing out and barely used it. He didn't really like it. I don't want to even get it out this time, because I happen to know how dependent babies can be on it to go to sleep. It's too easy to just let baby fall asleep and stay there. Bouncers, I think, are a must. They are great for putting the baby in when you're doing things around the house, and honestly I think that's about all I will use this time around.

Like others said, you really won't know what the baby is going to like, and (especially if you're a FTM) exactly what you will need. Things to consider: will you be a SAHM? If so, you may want more options to put the baby in. If you won't be home a lot with your baby, you may need less. I say a bouncer is a must, but other than that you don't need the rest.

lexyraejay · November 2014

My DD loved the f&p snugabunny swing and I really hope baby #2 does too! I agree with pps that you'll need a bouncer. My DD didn't really like it all that much (probably would have liked it better if I had one of those little attachments Dwith all the doodads hanging down for her to play with) but I really needed it to be able to bathe/take showers or do other two handed tasks while keeping her in sight.
ETA: I think I might even go out and buy another used bouncer so that I can keep one on each floor of our house.

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Rocker vs. Bouncer vs. Swing

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DD 7/2010, DS 3/2012, #3 due 4/24/2015

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