From Baby to Toddler

Are you looking for something to hold an infant while you sneak for a quick shower, or get something to eat, or better still get things prepared? Baby swings can do the magic, thanks to their ability to soothe and divert their attention, especially the attention of fussy babies. Equally, baby swings help lull and rock the baby to her sleep at night or during their daytime nap.

A lot of parents worry about getting a safe outdoor activity for their baby to participate in. Worry no more because a gentle outdoor swinging offers the safest and the most trusted activity. With a baby swing, you are guaranteed of an alternative form of entertainment and fun for your baby at the backyard, be it under the warm soothing summer days or on cooler autumn afternoons.

Baby Swings are just godsend because they also come in handy when your baby needs to sleep or rest in a semi-upright pose especially when they have a blocked stuffy nose or a cold. When a baby is in the mother’s womb, she is accustomed to rhythmic motion hence swings come in handy to calm newborns as well as helping you de-frazzle your nerves.

Baby Swing’s must-have features

The top most priority is the safety of the baby hence you should look for swings that are stable and secure. For example, look for swings that features a wide base and have a low gravity centre such that incase the baby leans on one direction the swing won’t tip over. Another must-have is a safety seat belt; it is advisable to even go for a 5-point harness. The hip straps are very vital, even for babies who don’t show any signs of wiggling. Newborns in particular relish curling up hence the belt system must be stable enough.

Another thing that you should consider is the speed and sound of the baby swing. Bearing in mind that some babies may love to be rocked forcefully, especially the colicky babies while the calm ones would want to be rocked slowly, you should get a baby swing that has a variety of options to choose from. On the same note, get a swing that has various musical styles and plays the music at different volumes, in addition to being able to function without any music at all, in that some babies may want to be rocked peacefully and quietly.

A fold-up tray, commonly known as a flip-out tray is another important must-have feature in baby swings. This allows parents or caregivers to gently remove the baby from the swing without any troubles or worries of waking the baby up. The flip-out tray also reduces the chances of incurring scratches to the baby’s legs while getting them in or out of their swings. Similarly, you should also consider having a swing with an open top which makes it easier and safer to lift the baby out without chances of hitting the baby’s head on the upper bar of the swing.

Newborns and older babies may have difficulties in holding their heads up or avoiding forward slouching while in an upright swing. It is mandatory that your baby swing features newborns recline position and for the older babies, the swing should feature an upright position.

The main function of the newborn recline lets your baby lay far back which helps avoid slouching and any breathing restrictions. On the same note, when older babies fall asleep, the recline feature assists you in reaching the recline mechanism and adjusting the seating position which in most cases you will have to do while the baby is on the swing.

Shopping Tips

Look for swings that have plush padded seat covers that are machine-washable and the infant head support is removable. Today’s baby swings are furnished with a lot of entertainment accessories such as mobiles, trays and toy bars. Ensure the toys and parts are attached safely and have no loose parts that may choke the baby.

You ought to know about the battery powered baby swings and the wind-up swings and which one suits you best. Both types are efficient but the battery swing maybe costly when it comes to changing the battery as time moves on, sometimes may require frequent changing. Conversely, the battery-powered swings help get rid of the need to always keep rewinding the swing, not forgetting they are easy and convenient to operate.

Safety Measures while using baby swings

It is advisable that your baby should be under your supervision at all times while at the swing. Needless to mention, the harness provided should always be used at all times the baby is on the swing. It is recommended that you limit the time the baby spends on the baby swing. Give your baby a 30 minute interval because the swings may make them feel dizzy even if the baby seems content in swinging. Never let older children assist in ‘swinging’ your baby and never use a transportable swing on a raised surface.

Equally, it is advisable that you follow manufacturer’s age and weight terms, in addition to the assembly instructions religiously. Also note is that you should never use a portable baby swing as an infant carrier; neither should you transport the baby while in the swing.

Conclusion

The aim is to get a safe baby swing for your baby hence you should look for baby swings that have stable, sturdy frames and possess strong posts and legs. The seats on the other hand should be comfortably padded, easy to wash and feature a crotch post with a firm waist belt if not a five point harness.

Be advised that not all babies like the rocking of swings. You may take the baby with you to the stores for tests runs, or better still, try the baby in a relative’s or friend’s baby swing first to see their reaction. Since baby swing’s safety standards are frequently updated, it is advisable that you ensure your baby uses the safest possible baby swing and this you can only do by purchasing a brand new baby swing.

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