Infant swings versus baby bouncers

For many parents deciding between what they actually need and what they simply want be a challenge, especially when it comes to products for their baby. One great example of this can be seen when comparing an infant swing to an infant bouncer.

The truth is, there is absolutely no need to purchase both of these products.  They have a limited lifespan of usefulness and they serve the same purpose. But with a little research, you can easily decide which one make more sense for your home, your needs, and your infant.

The Case for the Infant Swing

Pros: Often have more features than baby bouncers, great for infants who are soothed by the motion of a rocking chair, larger and more stable than a traditional baby bouncer

Cons: More expensive than baby bouncers, not as portable, take up more space

The Case for the Baby Bouncer:

Pros: Portability – take it with you on short trips or even just to go outside, less expensive than baby swings, smaller than a swing so easier to fit into apartments

Cons: Can have stability concerns because it is smaller and lighter, not as many features on the inexpensive models, limited range of motion

More factors to consider

Both baby bouncers and infant swings have height, weight, and sometimes even age restrictions. They are generally not meant for use by babies who are too young to support their own head, so there is a limited window of time when a baby can use these products. If you still are not sure which one is right for your baby, talk to other moms to see if you can try their swing or bouncer. If your infant loves their swing or bouncer, you will have a clear indication of which will work best.

Alternatives to boring baby bouncers

While baby bouncers are a popular soothing aid that many parents rely on, not everyone is sold on the idea of a traditional baby bouncer.

Luckily, the market for baby products is one that consistently evolves to meet the needs and desires of parents, so there are several alternative available to traditional baby bouncers that you can use to help soothe your infant, including other baby bouncer models, infant swings, and exercise or bouncing balls.

3 alternatives to baby bouncers:

- Mobile baby centers. The traditional baby bouncer model is a stationary one that is portable and can sit on the floor. However, for some parents, there are concerns about the sturdiness or stability of this model, or they simply do not find it to be effective for soothing their child. For these parents, there are different types of mobile baby centers that allow the baby to push him or herself around a room for added stimulation, or mounted on a door for greater stability.

- Infant swings. A great alterative to a bouncer, some infants prefer the motion of swinging over bouncing. These are larger, bulkier, and heavier than bouncers, but it sure is nice to simply wind it up and let baby swing.

- Bouncing or exercise ball. For parents who are tired of purchasing products that their child will not be able to use in only a few months, an exercise or bouncing ball much like the ones you can find at the gym might be the bouncing solution for your baby. Products like the Bounce a Bye Baby are useful before, during, and after pregnancy, making them a better investment than a bouncer that will be quickly outgrown. Mother and fathers can sit on the ball and use it to bounce the baby, giving the same sensation as a traditional bouncer.

Bouncing is a common technique for calming a crying or upset baby and was the inspiration for our Bounce A Bye Ball. You have probably seen more parents than you could ever count pacing back and forth, doing a unique dance to bounce their infant into a calmer and quieter state. This technique is not limited to children without colic; parents of colicky babies can often help their child find relief and soothing by bouncing him or her gently.

Bouncing – fun and helpful!

Despite the fact that the exact cause of colic is not known for certain, there is a significant amount of anecdotal evidence to support the fact that bouncing is extremely helpful for colicky babies. Possible explanations for the effectiveness of this approach to soothing colic include the following three:

1. The baby may be able to release gas that has built up in the digestive system. For infants who are having trouble with digestion and gas, bouncing may be a necessary supplement to burping after meals to release pressure and alleviate pain.

2. Bouncing may also have a soothing sensation because it mimics the feeling of being carried in a mother’s womb. A child inside his or her mother’s body feels the sensation of bouncing as she goes through the running, walking, sitting, and standing of her daily routine. Bouncing may mimic this sensation in a way that is enjoyable and relaxing for your baby.

3.   Finally, bouncing may be a way to stimulate the development of the vestibular system, a part of the baby’s neurological system that supports coordination, gross motor skills, and balance.