Baby swings have come a long way over the years. A few decades ago, they were little more than suspended seats with a crank on one side. Mothers would place their cranky babies inside the canvas seats of their baby swings and wind the cranks, and their babies would swing back and forth. Since there was no way to regulate the swinging on these early baby swings, many times babies were in for a wild ride.
Times have changed and baby swings have evolved. Now, babies can not only swing at the push of a button, but mothers can choose from very gentle slight swings to a more pronounced back and forth motion. Knowing your baby's preference will help to soothe him better. Since babies sit inside baby swings, it's important to choose a safe model.
Just like car seats and high chairs, baby swings should hold an infant comfortably and securely. A five-point harness means a safe ride. Since these seats have straps that fasten over the shoulders as well as around the hips, busy moms won't have to worry about leaving their babies for five minutes to throw in a load of laundry. In many cases, the gentle swinging motion will put babies to sleep.
Baby swings should have at least two positions in which babies can recline comfortably. Newborns should be able to lie down in the seat, while older babies can sit up a little higher. Since many babies under the age of eight months can't sit on their own, they'll just slump over without reclining seats.
Baby swings should have wide bases that won't easily tip over. Legs should be supported and not wobbly. It wouldn't hurt to do a little research to see which baby swings are the sturdiest. Another consideration is battery operated baby swings vs. electric baby swings. This is usually a matter of preference, and one is not necessarily better than the other. Of course, if you don't have the type that plugs in, you'll have to change the batteries, but that shouldn't be a problem.
Many baby swings also come with music and trays so babies can play with different toys to keep them occupied and content. These perks are purely optional but nice to have. Your most important consideration, of course, is your baby's safety and comfort. Remember, a comfortable baby means a happy baby, and a happy baby means happy parents.