Do I need a swing?

suteki325 · December 2015

I can't decide if DH and I need to purchase a swing for DS to sleep in. I've heard so many conflicting things - some moms say that swings are an absolute lifesaver, and some say that their baby didn't like sleeping in it and it sat unused. They're so expensive, so I hate to buy one if DS isn't even going to use it.

We already have a bassinet and a rock 'n play. I was planning on him sleeping in either one of those for when I need to get stuff done around the house, and can't be holding him.

Thoughts?

BBEA2006 · December 2015

I think the rock n play could be a good substitute but the good thing about the swing is that it swings itself...I don't think the rock n play does as we haven't put the batteries in yet on ours. Could you get a second-hand swing and wash it really good? That way it is less expensive and if your LO doesn't like it, you can resell it. We have a few stores like that in our area and have always found really good deals and their stuff if really clean as they are pretty strict about what they take and resell.

MississippiCatfish · December 2015

It's so hard to know before you try it out with baby. My first LOVED the swing, spent the majority of the time that we weren't holding him in the swing during the day. My second could have cared less - he didn't hate it or anything, but he wasn't content in it for long.

I have two suggestions. First, if you have a friend whose house you could stop over and just try it out, you could do that. Or ask if you could borrow it for a few days. That would give you a feel for if your little one likes it. Otherwise, try to buy it second-hand on Craigslist or a BST group on FB. I've had two different ones (not because they broke, just decided to sell the first one when moving) from CL/BST Group and they have worked beautifully, for $25-40.

Mamacat316 · December 2015

Just FYI, most swings are not ergonomic in terms of the positioning of baby's hips in them (they are narrow-based, like a Baby Bjorn carrier instead of an ergonomic carrier) and can therefore be linked to hip displaysia. If your kid isn't spending tons of time in it, it's probably not a big deal...

jadkins2 · December 2015

My first hated the swing! We did have a rock n play and that is what we used. It is much cheaper!

DrillSergeantCat · December 2015

Mamacat316 said:

Just FYI, most swings are not ergonomic in terms of the positioning of baby's hips in them (they are narrow-based, like a Baby Bjorn carrier instead of an ergonomic carrier) and can therefore be linked to hip displaysia. If your kid isn't spending tons of time in it, it's probably not a big deal...

Every baby swing I've ever seen the baby lies in it as the seat is similar to an infant car seat.

paytonpedro · December 2015

I'm a FTM so I don't know the answer, but I just want to say that the rock and play we have does rock itself. We got two and took one back to the store, choosing to keep the one that rocks itself, the other one just vibrated. We also got a hand me down one that is basic and does nothing on its own. So check out which one you have.

Kiek · December 2015

It's so hard to say until you have the baby. DD loved her swing. I didn't have her sleep in it, though. She slept in her pack and play during the day. But the swing kept her very entertained when she was awake and made it possible for me to do basic housework lol. I'll set it up again with this baby and see if she likes it. But again, it's hard to say until the baby gets here.

Mamacat316 · December 2015

DrillSergeantCat said:

Mamacat316 said:

Just FYI, most swings are not ergonomic in terms of the positioning of baby's hips in them (they are narrow-based, like a Baby Bjorn carrier instead of an ergonomic carrier) and can therefore be linked to hip displaysia. If your kid isn't spending tons of time in it, it's probably not a big deal...

Every baby swing I've ever seen the baby lies in it as the seat is similar to an infant car seat.

Like a bouncer or bouncy seat? Yeah those are awesome. I thought a "swing" is one of those things you rig up in a door frame - they aren't really suitable for little babies anyway, but I keep hearing about the stress they put on the hips...

DrillSergeantCat · December 2015

Mamacat316 said:

Like a bouncer or bouncy seat? Yeah those are awesome. I thought a "swing" is one of those things you rig up in a door frame - they aren't really suitable for little babies anyway, but I keep hearing about the stress they put on the hips...

The thing in the door frame is a johnny jumper. This is a baby swing:

BBEA2006 · December 2015

Mamacat316 said:

Mamacat316 said:

Just FYI, most swings are not ergonomic in terms of the positioning of baby's hips in them (they are narrow-based, like a Baby Bjorn carrier instead of an ergonomic carrier) and can therefore be linked to hip displaysia. If your kid isn't spending tons of time in it, it's probably not a big deal...

Every baby swing I've ever seen the baby lies in it as the seat is similar to an infant car seat.
Like a bouncer or bouncy seat? Yeah those are awesome. I thought a "swing" is one of those things you rig up in a door frame - they aren't really suitable for little babies anyway, but I keep hearing about the stress they put on the hips...

I think you are talking about a jumper...where you put them in a harness-like contraption and they can bounce up and down?? Same concern though people have with exersaucers, I think. My LO's used the exersaucer and were perfectly fine but then again, they weren't in them all the time either.

VitaLuna · December 2015

I didn't get one at first with DD. I had heard the same, that some babies love it, some hate it, and didn't want to spend the money on something that wouldn't get used. We finally broke down and bought one after a month or two and it was an absolute lifesaver. She wouldn't nap anywhere but your arms until we got it, and then she napped there for a long time (like.. Over a year).

For us, it was worth it.

Shatzegirl · December 2015

I agree with everyone else that it depends on the baby. My son loved the swing so I'll see if DD does too. Definitely look into buying one used. I also recommend trying to find one that plugs in. You'll save tons of money
not having to buy batteries!

Kiek · December 2015

Yes! Mine plugs in. So convenient. Mine was a gift from my FIL. It arrived a few weeks after DD and was born and up until that point I was going crazy. DD was not a fan of being held all the time and liked being awake and looking around but also didn't like being on a blanket of the floor. The swing was a life saver for me lol.

Achae · December 2015

I second PP to find one used. I picked one up off a facebook baby resale site for my area for $10! I've seen them go as high as $80 for brand new in box, or those mamaroo ones or whatever, but a swing is a swing in my book!

dem068a · December 2015

Look on craigslist! I got one for $25 and just washed it and it is basically as good as new. That way if you baby doesn't like it, at least you didn't pay even close to full retail price

thisusername · December 2015

I don't have an answer, FTM as well, but does anyone have a good recommendation on what swing to get?

camusoh2011 · December 2015

Not always, but if you do decide to get one, try to go for one that plugs in. My two oldest boys LOVED their swings. We got rid of it this time due to space, but we got a couple of rock n plays, so I'm hoping that will work just as well.

Mamacat316 · December 2015

@DrillSergeantCat I have never in my life seen such a thing! I guess we are pretty behind on cool baby shizz here. Def. thought she was talking about the one that goes in the doorway.

SgtLou2 · December 2015

Half of my friends swore by the swing and told me that I would regret not getting one (literally, friends lectured me on this particular choice that I made). Guess what? DD survived without one. We have a townhouse and I decided that they were too big for the space, esp not knowing if she would even like it. I was prepared to go get one if there was nothing else that would soothe her, but the rock n play, bouncy seat, and baby wearing solved all issues for her. Apparently when she started daycare at 3mos, they put her in a swing. But since it was not a soothing mechanism used in our house, she never expected it from us. So, we're keeping the same mentality and plan with this little guy.

ohbaby714 · December 2015

I definitely don't think it's something you "need" and a rock and play would probably be a good substitute, but we loved our swing. DD would only nap in that or if we were holding her so it really helped when I needed to fold laundry, get supper ready, ect. I think you could for sure get by without one though if it's not something you want to spend money on.

Like pp said, you can usually find one pretty cheap on a bst/Craigslist site and they are very easy to clean and throw the fabric part in the wash.

VitaLuna · December 2015

thisusername said:
I don't have an answer, FTM as well, but does anyone have a good recommendation on what swing to get?

I have a Fisher Price Snugga-something one. It works fine. I think most swings are similar.

charliegoldengirl · December 2015

We didn't get one and didn't end up needing it with our son. He sat in the bouncer seat or our arms basically all the time. However, I'm considering getting one this time around for #2. I'm guessing I won't have the luxury of holding this baby all the time as I will also be chasing a toddler around! I was also looking at getting the fisher price snugga-puppy... Unless someone wants to gift us the cool looking mamaroo, but I don't see that happening. Stm+ did you find the swing more helpful/necessary for #2?

Vkrosa · December 2015

It really depends on the baby. My oldest DD loved her swing and hated bouncers my youngest DD hated the swing and loved her bouncer. See If you can get a gently used one so if it doesn't work you could always just craigslist it

suteki325 · December 2015

Thanks for all of the great replies! Really seems to be up to each individual baby as to whether or not they like the swing. I lucked out and was talking to a friend last night about this, and she has a swing from when her LO was a baby that she said she'd let me have (super nice of her)! So I figure I'll give it a try and see if DS likes it.

AdventureMama · December 2015

Oh man, YES get one. It was such a lifesaver for us (and most moms I know, at one point or another). You can re-sell them on Craigslist or on consignment when you're done with it (or if baby hates it).

Monkeybutt80 · December 2015

I think it depends on the baby (like most pps said). With my first, we only had a bouncer and didn't get a swing. about a month into it. he stopped liking the bouncer, so I got a mamaroo and was happy with it. Luckily my first really liked it, but I have heard of other babies not liking swings/ mamaroos.

wisco29 · December 2015

I got a rock and play because of the rave for it and I don't love using it for the baby I watch... So i wouldn't get a rock and play instead of a swing.
Dd didn't use it a ton but atleast once a day for a little while. Like others have said its random based on baby. Some love it and some don't

summererdvig · December 2015

I strongly doubt the love of swings is hereditary BUT apparently both my self and my husband lived in ours. Seriously. Like at one point mine broke and my mom didn't have money for a new one so she would manually swing it just for some peace when I was fussy hahaha I've based a lot of my baby "need" items on what my husband and I loved and used as babies. Just an idea! :-)

JMarie1291 · December 2015

We splurged on a 4moms one. Only because we plan on 2 more babies in the next few years. So we figured it get its use and be worth the extra money. We set it up the other day and love being able to control it through my phone! Also I can decide what music it plays. I think it takes up less space then a swing does since it doesn't have a pyramid stand around it. It holds more weight then any other swing and its so quiet. They are totally worth the extra money!!!

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