UP UP and Away ~How to Choose Swings~ from Infancy-Pre-School +
Apr 21 '01
The Bottom Line The key to choosing a swing that best suits your family is to research the market, and take your time making a decision.
Children love to swing, from the time they are born until... well, I still like to swing occasionally! This editorial will discuss How to Choose Swings for your children from their very first baby swing, up to a toddler swing, and then the Big Kahuna, a swing set.
Infant Swing
After the birth of a baby, new mother's find that one of the most convenient baby items to have around the house is a baby swing. Most babies love the soothing motion of a swing. They give Mom a little break as well. Simply put baby in, turn on the swing, and with a little luck baby will drift off to sleep in no time. Wow, this gives Mom a little time to do a few chores, get dinner started, or just have some quiet time, ALONE!!
Choosing a baby swing is not a very difficult task, IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT IN A SWING. Just like everything else, if there is one baby swing to choose from then there are fifty. Well, maybe not that many, but there might as well be.
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a baby swing:
- Do you want a swing that winds up, or a swing that runs off of batteries?
Battery operated swings will typically run 200 hours on 4 alkaline "D" batteries, where as a wind swing will run approximately 30 minutes per winding.
- Do you want a swing with an easy entry tray that flips open and closed?
Easy entry trays make it easy for putting baby in the swing. They are easily operated with one hand (a big convenience since your other hand is obviously holding the baby), and they are extremely nice when you want to remove a sleeping baby from the swing. Other entry trays do not open and it can be difficult to get baby in and out of the swing, especially when they get a little older.
- Do you want an open top swing (one that has nothing across the top), or an old fashioned swing that has the mechanics of the swing attached at the top?
The advantage of having an open top swing is that it is much easier to get to your baby. There is nothing above the swing so you don't have to worry about accidentally bumping baby's head on the stuff above when putting baby in or out of the swing.
-Do you want the tray to have a toy bar?
Yes a toy bar is nice. My baby swing didn't have one, and yes we survived without it. However, a toy bar makes it nice because toys that are placed on a toyless tray always end up on the floor.
-Do you want to be able to control the speed (Hi/Low) of the swing at the push of a button?
This is a very nice feature. Some of the battery operated swings have up to 6 speed levels or even as low as 2 or 3. Some of the wind up swings also have a button that can be pushed to control the speed of the swing. A speed control button allows you to adjust the speed of the swing to fit your baby. The low speed ranges provide an ultra-gentle rocking motion for newborns.
-Do you want a swing that can play music?
Yes, these days they make swings that play music, some can even play 15 different tunes. All I have to say about this is WOW!
-How many recline positions do you want your swing to be capable of doing?
Some baby swings come with only 2 recline positions, while others come with 4 or more. The recline position is very nice because it allows you to adjust the seat to fit your baby, and at different stages. For example, naturally you wouldn't want a newborn baby to have to sit in a seat that sat straight up because they can not hold their head up.
There are many other features to consider. Some swings have foldable frames for easy storage, others don't. Some swings come with cloth seats that can be removed and are machine washable; others can't be removed, or are made of vinyl instead of cloth.
Baby Swings these days have many options to choose from. Basically you need to shop around and see what the market has to offer (whether it is online at gracobaby.com or toysrus.com, or by going to your local Baby supply store to comparative shop), and what best fits your needs. However, besides looking for a swing with a fabric that may match a particular theme, it is important to make sure that the swing you choose: 1.)Is sturdy and not easy to tip over. 2.)Has a seat belt to fasten your baby into the swing seat.
Other than that, have fun choosing your baby's first swing.
Toddler Swing
The next swing you will get to choose for you child is a toddler swing. Toddler swings can be attached to a swing set, or a STRONG tree limb. Toddler swings are not recommended for children less than 9 months of age.
When I purchased my daughter's toddler swing there were several to choose from. Little Tikes makes/made toddler swings in a few fun shapes; a little red airplane to go soaring through the breeze in, a dolphin to dive down to the ground and then back up to the sky, or even a seal. Fisher Price offers a red and yellow high backed swing. Little Tikes may offer a similar one as well because the one I bought by Little Tikes, 4 years ago, was a blue high backed swing with a bar that lifts up for easy entrance and exit from the swing, and locks down in place as an added source of safety to keep little ones from falling out.
When choosing a toddler swing look for a swing that is capable of holding a child up to about 36 months of age and around 40-50 pounds. You want your toddler swing to accommodate your child until they are able to swing on a regular swing.
Choose a swing that has a seat belt to secure your child in the swing.
Choose a design (seal, airplane, etc.), whatever suits your fancy.
**Never leave your toddler unattended!**
If you by chance get a hand me down toddler swing, check to see that all parts are in good working order. No frayed ropes or seat belts. Also make sure that the swing has not been recalled. (There was a recall on a Fisher Price toddler swing about a year ago.)
Swings for Pre-School and up
You may think that choosing a swing for your pre-schooler is an easy task. Well, let me say, we just went through the process about a month ago, and it was not as easy as I had thought it would be. I figured we would go to
Toys R Us, or WalMart and get a swing set, take it home, and then put it together.
Well, it didn't quite work that way. When the whole conversation of buying a swing set was brought up to my husband he started in saying..."I will build the kids a swing set!" My reaction was, "Yeah, right! When? Like you have time to build a swing set."
I knew that if we waited for "Good Old Dad" (and I say that with love) to build a swing set the kids would be in college by the time it ever got done. Thus, we began the search for a swing set.
Before you can choose a swing set, you have to know what is out there. There are several types of swings to choose from with price ranges from affordable to what I would call the extreme.
After you find out what there is out there to have, you are ready to continue the process of choosing a swing set for your family.
First, figure out a price range you want to stay in.
Second, decide how long you want your swing set to last.
Third, decide what types of equipment do you want the set to have: a couple of swings, a glider, a trapeze bar, a basket swing, a slide, a see saw, a fort, etc. (The equipment usually has an effect on the cost of the swing set. The more equipment, the more expensive.)
Fourth, look at what types of swings the market has to offer with the specific equipment you want, and in your price range:
A.)Nice metal swing sets (which will eventually rust) from WalMart, Kmart, Toys R Us, etc., ranging in price from
$79 - $200.
B.)Wooden swing sets from WalMart, Toys R Us, or Rainbow, ranging in price from $260 - $1,500+.
C.)Galvanized Steel Swing sets with your choice of height of poles to accommodate kids for YEARS to come, depending on the size of the poles. Price Range starting at around $400 and going on up.
After investigating what is on the market, it is time to make a decision on which swings to buy. Don't rush yourself. Take a few days to think about your decision and make sure that you will be satisfied with that decision after you actually make your purchase.
When we decided that we wanted to go with a Galvanized Steel swing set with 10' poles (so the kids would still be able to swing when they were in junior high school, if they wanted), we didn't get in a big hurry and buy one right away. Instead, we waited a few days and discussed our decision to make sure that this was the route we wanted to go. After all, once you buy a swing set and put it together you are pretty much stuck with it!
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
tango-tweetie
|
|
Member: Tanya
Location: Houston
Reviews written: 55
Trusted by: 17 members
About Me:
I'm a SAHM of 2; considering Homeschooling. I enjoy writing and reading on epinions.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.