Types of Swings

You will find several varying styles of swings on the market today. Before purchasing, consider what type makes the most sense for your family.

 

o       Wind-Up vs. Battery-Operated: It is a matter of personal choice when considering a wind-up swing versus a battery-operated swing. Some parents prefer the wind-up swing, because after a period of time it gently slows to a stop. If baby has fallen to sleep, mom and dad don’t risk waking baby up to turn off the swing. Also, wind-up swings only run out of swinging power when the parents run out of energy to keep winding. However, if the parents need to re-crank the wind-up swing, it can be noisy and disturb a baby who is just about to drift off to dreams. Battery-operated swings can continue to rock baby for a longer period of time while wind-ups need to be attended to every few minutes. Battery-operated swings can be a little more costly, especially when you add the expense for the number of batteries you need to purchase to keep the swing in operation, but do save the parent some extra energy.

 

o       Open-Top: An open-top swing is designed so that the parent can remove baby from the top of the swing without risking the bumping of baby’s head on any bars or mobiles that are in the way. This new type of design is becoming more and more popular as parents appreciate the ease and convenience of removing a sleepy baby.

 

o       Swinging Motion: Most swings rock back and forth in a typical swinging motion. However, there are swings that rock side to side like a cradle, and there are even some swings that have the option of both types of motion.

 

o       Options: Some swings come with a few options to keep baby happy through his different stages of development. There are swings that come with adjustable speeds, which can be helpful when an older baby wants to swing faster than a newborn. There are also battery-operated swings that come with timers that gently shut off when time has run out, and swings that play different types of music. Music can be a nice addition when trying to calm down a fussy baby, but keep in mind that some babies prefer their peace and quiet.