Baby swing or bouncer seat? Which one should we buy? Or both?

Question

I in my earlier months of pregnancy, got overly excited and was planning on getting a bouncer seat, a swing, and a jumperoo (all by fisher price rainforest.) I thought they all served different purposes. But then I read it would be a waste of money to buy everything, and just to buy a swing or bouncer for those early months, then later on get the jumperoo.

The take along swing would be good to take around on visits, and so would the bouncer. Both small and lightweight. But, which one should I get???

Answer 1

Get both secondhand. You'll spend less than you would on either one of them new.

Answer 2

My child has a swing and a jumperoo. The swing was a lifesaver, she loved to sit in her swing and play with toys. When she got to be about 5 months old, she didnt want anything to do with it anymore. Then we bought her a jumperoo, she loved it. Once she started crawling, she lost interest in sitting in the jumperoo.
imho, a baby doesnt need a swing and a bouncer, the bouncer just lets them sit there and you have to manually bounce them, and the ones that are battery powered really just bounce them back and forth. The swing is better, babies love to swing. The jumperoo isnt essential, my child loved it but only used it for about 4 months.
I know its exciting buying thinds when you first find out your pg, but save yourself some money and put it on a registry. And as much fun as it is to buy that stuff now, after your baby gets here, it will be even more fun!

Answer 3

I had both, and hardly ever used the swing. However, someone (I forgot which manufacturer) makes a bouncer seat that also swings. That may be cool to try. But, from experience, the bouncer seat is easy to take with you when you visit friends, or go on vacation. Plus, they vibrate, and I know my baby loved it!!! The swing takes up way too much room, you can't take it anywhere, and they outgrow it really quick. I actually bought 2 bouncer seats at a kids consignment shop for really cheap, and kept one in the car for using while visiting friends and family.

Answer 4

The swing, in the early stages is very imporant. My son didn't stay in his bouncer for extended periods of time until he was around 2 months old and he'd at least sit in it while I was playing with him. Now we use it when feeding him his baby food. The swing is the only thing, even from a very early age, that could get him to sleep, especially during the day. And by the time he is around 5 months, get the jumperoo! It is my son's favorite toy and he'd stay in it all day if I'd let him. It is definitely worth the money. And they are so darn cute bouncing up and down.

Answer 5

I got all three. I loved them all, each at different stages for my daughter. If you have to buy just one, first, I would go with a swing. It is very common that a swing is most helpful to put a newborn to sleep, my daughter slept in hers a lot, no big deal. The bouncer is good to help put them to sleep when they are congested, so they are kind of upright. Anyway, I'd say the swing.

You definitely should get the Jumperoo later though. This was the best thing I ever got at my shower. My daugther used it forever, and it really helped strengthen her leg muscles, plus it tires them out really good :-) it is hilarious to watch them jump and giggle.

Answer 6

I would recommend getting the Fisher-Price Power Plus swing, it is a life saver! I takes 4 D cell batteries and ALSO plugs into the wall! So you are not going through batteries once a week. Also I have the vibrating infant to toddler rocker seat by Fisher-Price and it is great. Good Luck!

But as someone else said, look on your local craigs list, I got my swing for $40, my rocker seat for free, and today I am getting my jumperoo for $35 from someone else. So look around and be patient, it will come to you.

Answer 7

When you say bouncy seat you don't mean the little vibrating chair do you? I used that for the first 4 months, as well as the swing from 2 months til about 4 months. Once she could hold her head up...she was all about that jumpin jimmy that you can hang from the doorway. Either she wanted to be in that or on the floor scooting around and wasn't much into the swing or the little chair. She still uses the jumpy thing and she 9.5 months.
And second hand is ok with these items just be sure to clean them well, check to make sure they aren't on any recall lists and no parts seem to be missing.

Answer 8

do NOT buy these items second hand! you won't be sure they were well cared for, have all their working parts, etc. clothing- I am all for second hand, but not something that could be dangerous. See if a friend has one or both that you can borrow. If not, it's really a gamble because you don't knwo what your baby will like. We have both (3 month old baby) and she's still getting used to the swing. The bouncer will keep her happy and quiet for a while but I can see it's usefullness wearing out really soon.

Answer 9

i registered for all three things too. the bouncer is good for when you are in the bathroom or kitchen, it's easy take from room to room and the swing is good for when they want to be moving...those two serve completely different purposes. and then the jumparoo thing will be good when they are a little older, they may not even fit in the swing by that time. the travel swings are a good idea if you plan to visit family often and they still work great at home too.

Answer 10

I would personally buy the bouncer if it vibrates. My son gets more enjoyment from the bouncer than the swing. Your baby might be different though. Definetly get the jumperoo later though.

Answer 11

I would not but a travle swing as I think they are a waste of money. The travel swing you can alonely use at the beginning. After the child hits like 12lbs the fast pace is really the slow pace and the slow pace barely even moves the swing. I would say buy a big swing. I also have a bounce and I think I have used it 3 times. My kids don't like to just sit there they like the swinging motion.