Best Baby Swings, According to Parents Who've Tried and Loved Them
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- Best Gliding Baby Swing : Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing
- Best Smart Baby Swing : 4Moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing
- Most Versatile Baby Swing : Graco DuetSoothe Swing & Rocker
- Best Baby Swing for Travel : Munchkin Bluetooth Enabled Lightweight Baby Swing
- Best Splurge Baby Swing : Nuna Leaf Grow Seat
- Best Swing for Active Parents : Baby Jogger City Sway 2-in-1 Rocker and Bouncer
When your arms start to feel like they might fall off from rocking your little one for hours a day, you might consider investing in a baby swing.
A swing is a hefty piece of baby gear (though some models are compact) that will soothe, entertain and distract your little one while you get things done around the house or get that much-needed break you’ve been craving.
Types of baby swings
Baby swings are really pretty straightforward — they’re simply gadgets that somehow rock baby back and forth, back and forth. Still, you can differentiate in a few ways:
- Full-size baby swings: These swings typically have larger footprints and plug into the wall. Some hang from stands, while others are freestanding. Either way, these are typically the more powerful baby swings and have multiple speeds and features.
- Portable baby swings: These swings are generally smaller and more compact. Often, they’re powered by batteries.
- Bouncers: These baby swings are typically manual and rely on your hand or foot for propulsion. Though they undoubtedly require more effort on your part, they can still be great tools for soothing baby or keeping them entertained.
How to choose the right baby swing
While any baby swing will likely come in handy at some point, there are a few things to consider when deciding which gadget will ultimately benefit you the most, including:
- Lifestyle: Do you travel often? Do you move from room to room? If you answered yes to either of these questions, consider a baby swing that’s a bit more portable than some of the bulkier, heavier options with all the bells and whistles.
- Cost: Baby swings are among the more expensive baby items. If budget is a concern, you may want to start with a more reasonable option and upgrade later if you have a fussy baby.
- Longevity: For the best value, consider the height and weight limits. Some baby swings are only for infants; others can be used until baby can sit up or reaches a certain height or weight.
How to use infant swings safely
Although baby swings are handy, you should keep the following safety tips in mind when using them:
- Never let your baby sleep in a swing. For safe sleep and to reduce the risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies always be put to sleep on their backs. If your little one falls asleep in her swing, move her to her crib as soon as possible (same goes for her car seat or carrier).
- Don't leave her unattended. Even though these products give you the much-needed opportunity to have your hands free for a few moments, you should continue to keep an eye on your baby while she's in the swing.
- Keep swing sessions short. Your baby needs interaction, play and exploration, including plenty of daily tummy time to strengthen her muscles. Too much time in a swing or bouncer can also cause your little one's soft head to develop flat spots.
- Younger babies should be as reclined as possible. Baby swings usually have a few different settings. For infants under 4 months, set the swing to its most reclined position so she doesn't slump over, which can be a suffocation risk.
- Choose a safe model. Look for a baby swing that's sturdy (i.e. it won't tip over or fold up easily), has shoulder straps to keep your little one secure (this is especially important if the swing can be adjusted to more than a 50-degree angle) and, if the swing has built-in toys, make sure they can't be easily pulled off by little fingers.
- Make sure you're using the swing properly. Always follow the height and weight limits on the swing's label.
Lastly, baby swings have many moving parts, no pun intended. In the past, many have been recalled, so if you’re picking up a used one, look it up on Consumer Products Safety Commission's Recall List to make sure it’s safe. Better yet, buy a new one, but be sure to mail in the registration card, so you’ll be notified if your swing is recalled.
How we made our picks for the best baby swings
To help you choose the best baby swing, we used the above guidelines and cross-referenced them against the baby swings that members of the What to Expect community, as well as our editors, have tried and loved. Here, our top picks.
Browse these baby swings options to find the one with features you love.
Best Gliding Baby Swing
Graco Glider LX Gliding Swing
Love it
Reviews
This gliding swing mimics the feeling your baby experiences when she’s cuddled up in your arms. It has two-speed vibration, 10 classic melodies, five nature sounds and six gliding speeds to allow you to find the right setting to keep her relaxed and engaged. The unique frame is designed to take up 40 percent less space than other swings, so it fits in tight spaces around the house (hooray for less clutter!). The option to plug it in will help you save a fortune on batteries, or opt for convenience and use batteries to move the glider around. It also has a plush seat and three reclining positions to give your little one maximum comfort.
Weight: 17.9 pounds
Dimensions: 28 x 24.5 x 36 inches
"I absolutely love the [Graco Glider LX] swing. Key factors are: it has an option to plug in (I'm not constantly changing batteries) and it takes up less space than other swings we looked at. Also, fabric on the seat is easy to take off and wash. Highly recommended."
Best Smart Baby Swing
4Moms MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing
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Reviews
The 4Moms MamaRoo is the luxury model of the baby swing world. It comes at a higher price, but offers features that other baby swings can’t match. To start, the swing has unconventional movements. Instead of a back-and-forth sway, the MamaRoo has five irregular motions with unique names: car ride, tree swing, kangaroo, wave and rock-a-bye.
There are also five speeds and four built-in sounds that you can mix and match. Or, using Bluetooth technology, you can sync up the swing with your own device to play a custom playlist that you know baby loves. And while you’re on your phone, you can operate the swing from an app that allows you to control the motion, speed, music and volume. You can easily adjust how reclined the seat is, and the swing comes with three hanging toys (a mirror, rattle and crinkle ball) to add to your baby’s fun. This swing isn’t too loud, either — besides whatever sound you may — or may not — choose for baby, all you’ll hear is a simple (and somewhat pleasing) whooshing sound.
The latest version of this swing (featured here) has even more bells and whistles. You can integrate the swing with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for hands-free soothing, and the Bluetooth functionality is even better. The Mamaroo now also has a convertible three-point to five-point harness as well as a modernized touch-sensitive control panel and a reimagined machine-washable seat. Consider it the Rolls-Royce of baby swings.
Weight: 15 pounds
Dimensions: 26.25 x 23.5 x 35.5 inches
"My first absolutely adored her [MamaRoo] - to the point that it was the only way we could get her to sleep for a little over a month. Without this miracle, we would have been completely sleepless wrecks (more so than we already were)."
Most Versatile Baby Swing
Graco DuetSoothe Swing & Rocker
Love it
Reviews
This two-in-one swing and rocker (the seat comes off and works as a portable rocker) allows you to give baby a place to swing but also offers flexibility to easily move around. When you have it in the “swing” mode, you can choose from three different swinging directions and six speeds, as well as two different vibration speeds. The swing comes with a sweet animal overhead toy mobile and plays both sounds and music. In short: It does everything!
It’s worth noting though: When this swing is on the stand, the footprint is exceptionally wide. You’ll want to make sure you have the square footage for it — and then some to avoid tripping — before committing.
Weight: 17.9 pounds
Dimensions: 30.8 x 24.5 x 36 inches
“I got the [Graco Duet Soothe. I liked the removable bouncy seat and the three positions for swinging.”
Best Baby Swing for Travel
Munchkin Bluetooth Enabled Lightweight Baby Swing
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Reviews
If you log lots of miles or don’t want to spring for something as fancy as the MamaRoo, the Munchkin Bluetooth-enabled lightweight baby swing is a fantastic option. It only swings side to side, but it’s just as soothing for many babies, thanks to an ultra plush seat suspended at just the right angle.
The swing can also be controlled with the included remote or via Bluetooth settings on your phone, so you can speed up, slow down, or change the music from across the room.
But these features aren’t the real selling points of this baby swing. The real selling point is the fact that this seat folds flat with the simple push of a button. Just press the hinge and pull the seat off the base. Once its in two pieces, the whole thing sandwiches flat, so you can easily transport it in the car or tuck it under the sofa or bed.
Weight: 8.6 pounds
Dimensions: 23.6 x 23.6 x 15 inches
“Absolutely love this baby swing!! It has a soft natural swinging motion that really soothes and calms our baby and he absolutely loves it! And it plays different calming sounds, even heartbeat sounds and classical music! I’m really impressed with the sound quality too. I can adjust the settings with the remote which is super convenient when I’m doing dishes or something else. It’s comfortable and safe for our little one and has head support. I love how light weight it is so I can easily move it from room to room which I need or even to my parent’s house. I tried the MamaRoo and it was way too heavy and bulky and had bumpy motions. This is also easy to clean and machine washable and was super easy to set up (came with only 2 pieces!). Highly highly recommend! This made our lives as first time parents so much easier and our baby loves it! Must have!”
Best Splurge Baby Swing
Nuna Leaf Grow Seat
Love it
Reviews
If you love the chic look of Nuna’s car seats or travel cribs, treat yourself — er, your baby — to this sleek swing. The idea: The baby seat takes its inspiration from the motion that a leaf takes when floating in the breeze (you get relaxed just thinking about it!). This motor-free swing also has three reclining positions for baby to relax in and you can lock it into a stationary spot.
To help ease any sticker shock: Unlike other baby swings, this one grows with your child. Once baby can sit upright and climb out of the seat, the chair can be moved to the stage two position — a reclined chair for relaxing.
Weight: 22 pounds
Dimensions: 29 x 28 x 18 inches
“I have a Nuna Leaf and my girls loved it. When my youngest was a newborn it was such a lifesaver. It has such a gentle sway motion on it, I'm guessing it's sort of like being swayed in mothers arms? My middle girl (who was nearly 3) also loved sitting in it to read or watch tv.”
Best Swing for Active Parents
Baby Jogger City Sway 2-in-1 Rocker and Bouncer
Parents on the move will fall in love with the functionality of this two-in-one rocker and bouncer that folds flat and comes with a storage bag (making it easy to pack away or take on a trip). It weighs a mere 9 pounds, so you can easily move it around the house. And whether you’re stealing a few minutes for an online yoga class or simply tidying up around the house, baby will be comfy in one of three adjustable reclining positions. Better yet: The swing comes with a removable toy bar and toy fabric rattling toys.
Weight limit: Up to 20 pounds
Weight: 9 pounds
Dimensions: 22 x 26 x 16 inches (at highest setting); 15.5 x 26 x 16 inches (at lowest setting)
- WhatToExpect.com, Safe Sleep Tips for Babies, February 2020.
- WhatToExpect.com, Tummy Time for Baby, April 2020.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Safe Sleep, 2021.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Safe and Sound: Tips for Using Infant Swings, January 2013.
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