Here we are with another installment! If you missed them, here are the posts on:
Strollers
Carseats
On today's agenda? Those great products that give your wee ones a safe place to play or sleep while you catch a shower, a snack, or just your breath. None of these are really essential, though all are nice to have in their own way.
Swings, Bouncers, and Exersaucers
Swings
Surprisingly, there are quite a few options when it comes to swings. The main two types are full sized and travel sized.
Full sized swings often have the option of swinging the baby side-to-side as well as front-to-back. This is a nice option for when you have a particularly fussy child who has definite preferences from day one.
These also tend to have more bells and whistles. Reclining seats, toy trays, spinning mobiles, and more than one or two speeds.
Older style swings operate on a hand crank, and they can be noisy and frustrating to use. (This really is only an option if you get a really old one). Most others are operated on battery power, though some have battery power AND an AC adapter, which is golden, especially if your little one refuses to sleep elsewhere in the early weeks and you want to avoid middle of the night battery changes. (You have enough to do in changing your child).
Travel sized swings can be folded up and stored very easily, making them the ideal solution in tight spaces. They're also easy to transport, which makes for nice visits to places where your little one may not have a place to sit.
These also generally have music and attached toys, though they're often more limited than a full sized swing.
Bouncers
Bouncers are small chair like seats with a harness that sometimes vibrate or bounce. They are highly portable and many, many parents swear by their usefulness in allowing them to shower while keeping the baby close by.
Some bouncers have toy bars suspended above the seat. Some of these play music or light up. More often than not, these can be removed.
Some bouncers are battery operated and vibrate while others rely or a baby's natural motion to bounce.
Exersaucers
These are round activity centers with a rotating seat in the middle for the baby to sit in. They are generally rated from aged 4 months and up, though some doctors don't recommend that babies use them until 6 months old or until their head control is extremely established.
Some exersaucers come loaded with toys and musical components in every available space. Others, (generally older models), are relatively bare which allows versitility with which toys you chose to put on there. A nice feature of having attached toys is that you're not going to be constantly fetching fallen toys from the floor. However, the same toys over and over can get boring for a baby. The best models have detachable toys with open spaces for snacks or additional toys to be rotated in.
These are generally large and don't collapse easily for storage or travel. (For an Exersaucer alternative, check out my review on the
Pop-A-Tot)
Pros and Cons
Very few kids like all three of these, nor do you remotely need all three to have options when you need them. So which one is right for you and your baby? Unfortunately, what your little one will like is really not determinable until they make their arrival. My suggestion is to initially borrow these, find out what your kid likes, and then get one thing to start. But, even with that, each of these have their own pros and cons. You can use these from birth onward.
Swing Pros
Most babies love swings. I've heard of very few who fuss while in a swing, particularly when they're very small. The rapid sway motion is similar to the motion they experience in the womb. Swings also allow your baby to be slightly upright, which many babies prefer, especially when young. You can have two options of direction of the swing, which adds more versatility to finding what your baby will love. Swings are often soothing enough to get a baby to sleep, which can save the sanity of a sleepless mom or dad.
Swing Cons
The big ones are bulky and take up a considerable amount of room. The small ones sometimes don't generate enough oomph to soothe a particularly fussy child. They can be rather expensive. If you kid is dependant on the swing, you might have a hard time getting them to sleep elsewhere. If your swing is battery operated, you can potentially spend a FORTUNE on batteries.
Bouncer Pros
They are small enough to take almost anywhere. It's easy to go from room to room, which is nice if your little one has fallen asleep and you need to move. They can be very inexpensive, (though some extremely expensive options are out there as well). They can vibrate, which is sometimes enough to conk out the most fussy child. They also respond to your baby's movement which can be soothing all on its own. You can use these from your baby's birth onward.
Bouncer Cons
Some kids really hate the bouncer seat. Some kids love it. It's one of those pieces of baby gear that you'll never really know if your kid likes until you try it. Some don't fold up completely, which makes for awkward storage. The more sleek options without to plethora of plastic are often ridiculously expensive. They can be dangerous if left on a table or counter in the vicinity of another kid. (Best advice, use on the floor only)
Exersaucer Pros
These are great entertainment for an older baby. They allow for a baby to take in their surroundings from a new perspective, which is often enough to entertain a baby alone. They are sturdy and tip proof. They last far longer into babyhood than a swing or a bouncer. When your baby gets to the age that they're crawling and getting into everything, this is a safe place for them to play while you cook or do what you need to do.
Exersaucer Cons
These are HUGE. They are giant, plastic beasts and can't be stored easily. They can't be used until a later age than a bouncer seat or a swing can be used. They can be expensive and sometimes overwhelming.
Swings, Bouncers, and Exersaucers are all great places for your baby to safely play or rest while you need to get something done. As with anything, these shouldn't replace you interacting and holding your child. But in moderation, one or a couple of these can be a lifesaver to a tired parent in need of a break, a shower, or a sandwich. :)
After I give a rundown of most things you can get in preparation for your munchkin's arrival, (or even after your kiddo gets here), I'm going to give my list of the best of the best in each category. This will be based on personal use, friend recommendations, and reviews. Stick around!
For now, definitely let me know what you think of any of the above and if you have a favorite, post it here!
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