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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

What do we think of swings?

18 replies

redandyellowandpinkandgreen · 15/12/2010 17:27

I have a four week old who doesn't like to be put down much. I saw a friend today and she had a swing chair thing that played music and her baby looked very happy in it. I thought it might give me my arms back a bit but also worry the baby would get used to being rocked to sleep.

What do people who have used them think?

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nightmarebeforechristma · 15/12/2010 17:31

i would give it a go, can you try your baby in hers first?

bitzermaloney · 15/12/2010 17:50

Definitely try one first. My sister gave me hers and ds1 hated it - took up a lot of space too.

ethelinaTheBloodyGreatXmasElf · 15/12/2010 17:53

We borrowed our friends one. It's bloody marvellous, boy loves it and it means we can eat dinner in peace at the same time.

littlenuttree · 15/12/2010 18:20

Everyone raved about them to me when DD was born, so we spent about £70 on one - it was the biggest waste of money ever I think it was just DD tho, as haven't really heard anyone else say the same! Given our time again, I would either buy second hand or borrow. You'll find that, because the LO uses it for such a short time, a second hand one will normally be in really good condition.

DD2 is due in 8wks so I'm hoping we get some use it of it this time!

notcitrus · 15/12/2010 18:31

Best thing I ever got given! I had terrible SPD so was knackered from walking for a few months after birth, and it helped so much - ds loved it in the early evenings when I was flagging.

I was given it though by SIL as her ds hated it. One of those love/hate things - my neighbour swore by her door bouncer, I got one, my ds thought it was boring after 10 seonds.

Get as much second-hand as possible!

Karoleann · 15/12/2010 18:37

I found it wonderful for DS1 who was a difficult baby, it would keep him quiet for 15 mins when nothing else would. We even took it on holiday with us!
DS2 wasn't keen at all.

nannynobblystockingnobs · 15/12/2010 18:40

We were lent one for DD2 and though it was quite big it was very useful, she would happily sit in it when it was off as well as rocking to sleep, it meant I could do things without holding her and she could watch me :)

GrimmaTheNome · 15/12/2010 18:44

My DD was one of those unputdownable babes - MIL saw one and - bless her - bought it for us. DD would be content in it for a good 20 mins at a time - result, long enough to cook something! It didn't make her fall asleep.

This was a long time ago, I do hope that nowadays they don't still just play 'Merrily We Roll Along' - although having my arms back was wonderful that tune nearly drove me bonkers.

ThisIsYourSong · 15/12/2010 18:48

Loved it, but you can get them cheap second-hand - wished I hadn't bought it new. LO has never had a problem self settling so I don't think its caused an issue in that way.

Definitely try and get one which goes side to side as well as forwards and back - as ours only liked the side to side motion.

Allegrogirl · 15/12/2010 20:49

Mine liked hers but only from about 8 weeks. She's not fussed about the rocking motion but it's very comfy and has toys to grab. She has never slept in it. Only sleeps in sling, crib or fast moving car/pram.

She spent first 7-8 weeks with her in Moby wrap morning, noon and night and I thought the swing seat would never get used as she just cried in it at first.

I would agree with getting a second hand one if possible. I bought mine off a friend with twins. One loved it, other hated it.

Acinonyx · 15/12/2010 22:32

We bought one when dd was about 4 weeks - it was fantastic. She would regularly doze off in it and I could then put her in a cot. Otherwise she slept on me...

freddiestarratemyhandbag · 15/12/2010 22:36

We got one second hand for 20 quid when DD was about 8 weeks and it was invaluable! She had to be held, rocked, wouldn't settle etc.

DD2 was the most chilled out baby in the world, and absolutely hated the thing. She preferred to nod off by herself on the playmat or in the bouncy chair which I was about as DD1 never, ever, ever just 'nodded off'.

Your baby sounds like my DD1 though so I would go for it. Def try it out first and get one second hand if you can.

Quenelle · 16/12/2010 14:59

I wish I'd tried one with DS, he hated to be put down too and I spent countless hours on the sofa while he napped on my lap. He'd still rather do that now at 18mo.

Would borrow one to try before shelling out though.

Orissiah · 17/12/2010 14:13

Our automatic swing was a lifesaver - it basically taught my baby to sleep, I think. I found it so difficult holding and rocking her after my emergency c-section so we bought a Graco model by the end of her 2nd week! She napped in it during the day wonderfully (and still slept in her Moses basket and cot at night). It was a godsend. We basically put it on the highest setting and switched on the white noise up loud and it sent her off to sleep. Then one day when she was 6 months we realised she was getting too big for the Graco and popped her into her cot for her nap. All was fine and we threw the swing away for good.

otchayaniye · 17/12/2010 16:12

No to swings, but yes to slings

Haribojoe · 17/12/2010 18:08

All 3 of mine have loved swings, like other posters I find it great for half an hour of calm so that I can eat dinner.

Even take mine into kitchen when baking etc so can chat to DS whilst doing other things.

Greeninkmama · 19/12/2010 20:25

I don't know about swings but the Baby Bjorn bouncy chair was fabulous - both my DDs adored it and I passed it on to a friend with twins once they had outgrown it. I think it is the only one that is suitable for newborns (may be wrong but lots of the cheap ones are no good for tiny babies).

helenhicks · 20/12/2010 14:40

Tried both mine in someone else's swing and neither of them liked it so glad I didn't spend the money...

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