New babies can be hard work. Outside of changing nappies, rocking them to sleep or listening intently to their dulcet screams, there’s not much in the way of spare time for a parent. That’s why – although all this one-on-one time is absolutely lovely – all new parents really should invest in the best baby swing they can afford. Pop baby in the swing and you can have your hands free for a few minutes to take a break, grab a brew or – heaven forbid – catch up with the daily chores.
Baby swings provide a comfy, secure seat for your little one that recreates a lovely rocking motion – the next best thing to them actually being in your arms. Baby swings are either powered manually or electronically and can do a great job of both calming a baby and keeping them safe. For new parents, they’re an absolute godsend.
As with all baby equipment, there’s a lot of choice and a lot of detail to take in, so it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing which baby swing to buy. Here we’ll do some of the heavy lifting for you by explaining what to look out for when buying a baby swing, and recommending some of our tried and tested favourites.
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Before buying any equipment for your baby, you should first consider its dimensions and think about where you’re going to put it. Many of the more compact swings can be folded flat for travelling or storing away, while some of the larger swings are less mobile.
It’s also worth considering if you’ll be moving your swing from room to room. If so, you’ll want a lightweight frame – especially if you’ve had a C-section or are recovering from a particularly hard labour – and not one of the larger models that can be quite cumbersome. You should also look for helpful practical details such as removable seat covers that can be thrown in the washer or, if not, made from fabrics that can be sponged clean.
As long as you use them as recommended by the manufacturer, yes. Baby swings are designed as a safe space for your baby to relax in, offering that soothing, swinging motion while giving your arms a much-needed break. Unfortunately, they’re not suitable for long naps as they don’t hold babies in a safe sleeping position (ie, flat on their backs). The Lullaby Trust advises that babies sleep on a flat surface on their back to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), so you should always transfer a baby into a cot or Moses basket if and when they do doze off.
You should also check the weight limit of the seat your baby is in, just in case they outgrow it, and never leave them unattended or placed on a raised surface while in the swing. Baby swings should always be on the floor, not on a table.
When buying the best baby swing or baby bouncer, look for the BS EN14036:2003 safety mark to ensure it complies with up-to-date safety standards.
Baby swings are generally suitable from birth, as long as they have a supportive headrest and secure harness. You should also check the maximum weight your swing can hold (most can support a baby up to approximately 9kg, but it does differ between models). The bad news? Once your baby can roll, it’s no longer safe for them to use a swing or bouncer. From this point you can move onto something such as a door jumper that allows older babies to create a swinging motion independently.
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Price: £69| Buy now from Amazon
Chicco’s Swing Relax and Play swing is a safe and soothing place for your baby to relax. It’s easy to assemble and features a sturdy frame and soft, curved seat that’s lined with soft-touch fabric and has extra support for baby’s head. You can manually rock the swing as it is or turn on the programmable timer to enjoy five swing settings and 12 melodies.
The top bar of the swing also features a very sweet lamb and bunny pendulum for your little one to grab and play with. This is really useful for slightly older babies who need extra stimulation. Our 12-week-old loved hanging out in this swing, and it’s a safe and cosy spot for when you need to fold the washing, answer an email or just enjoy a cuppa while it’s hot.
Key features – Five swing settings, soft-touch fabric complete with a removable cushion, compact folding; Maximum weight: 9kg; Dimensions: 90 x 73 x 108cm
Price: £40| Buy now from Graco
If your baby is over six months old and has outgrown the smaller swings, a jumper such as this one from Graco can make a more stimulating and active option. It’s suitable from 6-12 months and has a maximum weight of 12kg.
The Bumper Jumper secures to the door frame with a safe, spring-loaded clamp and has a hidden safety cord for peace of mind. Simply place baby in the high-backed nylon seat and the plastic dome ensures the straps are kept apart so you can easily get them in and out.
It’s also surrounded by a play tray that you can place toys on, in addition to the two interactive soft toys that are attached to the straps.
Key features – Removable and machine-washable nylon fabric, spring-loaded clamp won't mark door mouldings; Maximum weight: 12kg; Dimensions: 204.5 x 56.3 x 46.6cm
Price: £170 | Buy now from Argos
While at the more expensive end, Joie’s Serina 2-in-1 baby swing and rocker is a favourite for a reason. Sturdy, secure and with six different swinging speeds, it has plenty of options that will keep even the most sensitive of babies happy. It’s also programmed with lullabies and nature sounds, and has a night light for when you’re trying to calm things down at bedtime.
One of the swing’s best features is that the seat can be detached from the base and carried by the top bar to move it around the house (just make sure the baby isn’t in it when you do). The seat pads are removable and washable, which we found incredibly useful when our baby was going through a pretty messy vomiting stage.
The one downside to this swing is that it doesn’t fold down, so consider the space you’re going to have it in before you make the investment.
Key features – Machine-washable fabric, five-point harness, A/C power adapter or battery-powered; Maximum weight: 13kg; Dimensions: 91.5 x 73 x 81cm
Price: £189 | Buy now from Mamas and Papas
If you like your baby equipment to be super stylish, then you’ll love the Maxi-Cosi Cassia Swing. Not only does it look great, but the simple, intuitive design is a godsend on those extra fussy days, and it’s easy to move from room to room (a much-appreciated asset when getting back to full strength after labour).
The automatic motion sensor detects when the baby is fussing and swings them back to contentment, and the 360-degree rotation means you can always maintain eye contact while they enjoy the ride.
The swing also has a lovely high-quality finish including machine-washable seat pads that zip on and off and two very sweet soft toys that hang over the top. There are five swing speeds, 15 soothing melodies and a secure three-point safety harness, too. This is a solid buy.
Key features – Machine-washable fabric, easy in and out three-point harness; compact, space-saving frame; soft newborn inlay; Maximum weight: 9kg; Dimensions: 23.5 x 50 x 72.5cm
Buy now from Mamas and Papas
Price: £80 | Buy now from Amazon
If you often travel to see family and friends, you might miss having your usual baby kit with you. The Ingenuity ConvertMe Portable Swing is a great solution due to its compact size, narrow width and foldable design that can be laid almost flat in the car – or stored away if you don’t have much space at home.
The 2-in-1 design converts from a swing to a vibrating seat and has five swing settings, 12 soothing melodies and four nature sounds. It also has an automatic swinging option so you can get a few jobs done while your baby relaxes.
This is a great mid-priced option that has everything you need for home and trips away.
Key features – 2-in-1, converts from swing to vibrating seat; foldable; five-point harness; Maximum weight: 9kg; Dimensions: 77.5 x 53.3 x 61cm
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