March 2, 2010

the great swing debate

There are a few baby products that I am having a difficult time deciding on... a swing, a bouncer and a bassinet or co-sleeper for beside the bed. Today I'd like to get your opinions on swings.

When I first registered, I picked out this lovely little guy on target.com. I heard that the Fisher Price cradle swings are great, this one doesn't scream baby, AND you can plug your iPod into it. Sounds great to me, I'm not sure I want to listen to nature sounds or scratchy lullabies all the time. Its only drawback? It doesn't plug in (hello battery hell). Plus some of the reviews of the product are pretty tough.


So now I am trying to look into other options, but I just don't know which way to go. Some of the other Fisher Price cradle swings plug in, but the one from the Zen collection doesn't have a motorized mobile, and the rest of them just look too babyish for me.

I have also been looking at the Graco Lovin Hug. The pattern matches the pack n' play we bought, and it plugs in, but it doesn't have the cradle swing option.



Lastly, I have been interested in the Graco Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center. It plugs in, has the MP3 player option, and has two (I think?) different swing motions. BUT, you either have to get one that looks like a giraffe or one that looks like a bear. Granted, at least those are neutral colors, but I was really hoping for something in a nice patterned fabric that went with my decor :o).

If you have any opinions or suggestions for me, I would love to hear them! It just sucks that no matter which item you look at online, they all get good reviews and bad reviews. How am I supposed to know which one will work best?

8 comments:

Amy said...

We registered for the Fisher-Price Papasan Cradle Swing - My Little Lamb b/c we have heard such great things about it. It's pretty neutral and I love the cradle swing option. We didn't want to go too girly with everything since we hope to use these down the road as well.

I like the Target one you picked out, but the base seems huge to me, something I know I would probably trip over, knowing me.... But on the upside, you could invest in a battery charger and rechargeable batteries.

Amy said...

Hi we had the Graco swing. out baby loved that, for a long time. As she got older and was able to sit more upright she was still able to use it. I am not sure they can do that in the cradle type swing. I used to put her in this and sew and sew and get a lot of sewing done. I am think I changed (had my husband change) the batteries once the entire time we used it, and We used it all the time. Cooking dinner, eating dinner doing laundry.... did I mention sewing..lol You will love it!

Carry Grace said...

Decisions, decisions...It's so hard to know which one your baby will like best. We had a regular Graco swing and loved it with our first son. Son #2 is only 3 weeks old so he pretty much hangs out in the bouncer. I personally like the swing for when they are a little older and can sit up so I'm not sure about the cradle swing.

Amy said...

Thought you would like to see this, Ashley: not sure if you saw it on TB:
http://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/32506170.aspx

Brenna Kokoszka said...

I have the Zen swing. I love the pattern and also have the matching bassinet! The thing that is great about the swing is that the base detaches and can be a bouncer as well! So you get 2 for the price of one! Also, I would not make a huge decision based on the motorized mobile- cause they are moving in the swing- so the mobile does not need to necessarily move:) Good luck!

Alisa said...

I just found your blog, and I love your style. I was looking back at posts about your nursery, and saw the rug you originally bought (the yellow and ivory one.) I have been contemplating buying that exact rug for my living room. Wondering how you would describe the color, and is it so scratchy that it would be uncomfortable for my kids to sit on? Thanks for the help! alpetey@gmail.com

Kim3278 said...

I had to end up buying two swings. One of my children only wanted to be swung one way and the other liked the other way. There is a new swing type out that might interest you. I just watched an infomercial on it. The mamaroo I think it is called. http://www.4momsonline.com/mamaroo

Best wishes.

Tara said...

I love my sweetpeace. I took off the bear head insert and the hanging bear so it is completely neutral. I love that the seat can be put in three different positions or detached - it makes for a great piece in between kitchen family room areas because it stays in one place and let's you be in multiple rooms. I had a battery operated monitors and it was battery hell. I would for sure say no to something that doesn't plug in, it is a pain to always hve them on hand and inevitably you will be needing baby to be happy in there while you get dinner on and be out of batteries so your purpose will be defeated! Good luck deciding. :)