Many young mothers only dream of being in time for everything. We need to prepare dinner for my husband's return from work, and the linen was ironed, while the infant was calm and completely satisfied with everything. But usually rarely anyone succeeds in combining these things, because while the tortured mother rocks the baby, hoping that he will fall asleep, dinner does not cook by itself, and the diapers are not washed.
The child, of course, is in no hurry to fall asleep. In this situation, an electronic swing can come to the aid of the mother, which will “entertain” and calm the child for her, while the woman will deal with her household issues. In this article, we will review the most interesting models of such devices, and also tell you how to make the right choice.
Features and Benefits
The electronic baby swing is a safe and very useful device that will, as the name suggests, rock your baby. You can sleep in them, and play, and even eat, attaching a special table. Many models are equipped with a mobile with colorful toys. All swings have special strips for tying toys yourself.
The swing can be taken with you in the car as a car seat when traveling to the clinic or visiting.
Thus, one purchase will replace several necessary things for a family with a small child at once: a carrier, a highchair, a car seat, and in some cases, a crib.
In addition to the obvious benefits for the mother, such a swing will also benefit the child: soft rocking movements contribute to the development of the vestibular apparatus.
Despite the fact that doctors cannot prove the benefits of motion sickness in any way, it also fails to prove its harm. Meanwhile, experienced mothers have long noticed that a child who is rocked from time to time is calmer, he has a more stable and strong nervous system. This is largely due to the fact that from the very first days of his life, the baby does not form the habit of being capricious and long screaming to get his way.
Kinds
Automatic swings can be electronic and electric. The first run on batteries, the second - from the network. There is also a third type - hybrid. Such a swing can be plugged into an outlet, and, if necessary, they run on batteries.
The swing can be floor and suspended. Suspended ones will come in handy later, when the child begins to walk, and they are not electronic. Thus, when we talk about automatic swings, we are considering only floor options.
By design, a floor swing can be of three types:
- L-shaped. The L-shaped stand is very stable.
- U-shaped. The upside-down "P" stand is convenient from the point of view of mobility, because it can always be easily folded and removed, it is reliable and safe if the latch that prevents it from folding spontaneously is working properly. It is this "little thing" that requires constant parental control.
- O-shaped. The stand - a stand in the shape of a circle or letter O - is reliable and stable.
On this, the list of swings, as such, can be completed, but one cannot but mention the analogs of swinging chairs, which can also be interesting:
- Chaise lounge. Very similar to a swing device, but more compact in size. Unlike the floor-standing options described above, the chaise longue can be placed anywhere - on a table, on a bed, they are easy to carry. The sun lounger has a vibration function. In some models, it turns on automatically if the baby starts to fidget, kick his legs and worry in a chaise lounge.
- Chaise longue bouncer. A kind of compact sun lounger with an extended list of functions. Vibration can be of different intensity, a special timer allows you to set the operating time. Bouncers are often called rocking cradles.
How to use?
Use a swing, like all good ones, should be in moderation. Even if the little one really likes them, you should not keep him in a rocking chair all day. If the baby was playing and suddenly fell asleep in them, you should definitely put him in the crib, because no one has canceled the good habit of his permanent sleeping place. In addition, the baby from the very first days should feel the difference between playing and sleeping. This will help form the correct and reasonable regimen for the child later.
None, even the most wonderful electronic devices, can replace the love of mom and dad for a baby, and therefore it is cruel and unjustified to not take him in your arms at all, content only with a swing.
You need to use the swing in full accordance with the instructions attached to it. Any changes to the design that parents can try to make on their own can cause injury to the baby.
The swing should be on a firm, level surface.
If you decide to put the chaise lounge on the table, for example, taking your baby with you to the kitchen, be sure to fix it so that the chaise longue does not fall to the floor while swinging.
The swing set always has seat belts (do not forget to fix the child with them), a control panel and an adapter for plugging into an outlet. Some models have special pads for the baby's head. Whether to use them or not is up to you. You should not put additional soft blankets on the swing, as this will negate the efforts of manufacturers, who have tried to create orthopedic backs that are maximally adapted to the fragile children's spine.
Best rating
Today, in children's stores and on Internet portals, a huge variety of models of electronic and electric swings for babies are presented. Since they are all about the same for the price (and this is not the cheapest pleasure), it is best to give preference to well-known manufacturers who have proven themselves well.
We have compiled a rating of swings and manufacturers based on feedback from moms and dads. Perhaps it will be useful for those who are just choosing such a product.
Swing n bounce
The model, which is considered one of the safest. Moreover, it will serve for a long time, because a swing for a baby can easily turn into a sitting swing for a child who has learned to hold his back. Six speeds of motion sickness and an excellent musical block are the undoubted advantages of the model. A nice bonus - a mobile with toys that is attached to the device. The cover is removable, it is quite easy to wash it on a delicate cycle.
Electric swing Jetem
These swings are slightly cheaper than the previous ones, their average price is from 4,500 to 8,000 rubles. But this does not mean at all that they are somehow worse. The manufacturer produces two models:
- Jetem Breeze is an electric swing powered by an outlet. The seat belts have five points, and the position of the backrest can be changed in two versions. The design deserves special attention - the swing is presented in more than 7 colors. It will not be difficult for mom to move them around the house as they are made of lightweight aluminum and the swing weighs about 4.5 kilograms.
- Jetem Surf is a model with more advanced potential. There is a removable table for feeding, three rocking speeds, a music unit. The backrest has two positions. It is convenient to keep the swing clean as the cover is removable and washable. The device is powered by batteries that are not included in the package. It is best to buy rechargeable batteries and a device for charging them, this will significantly save on the purchase of disposable batteries later.
Electric swing Happy baby
The price category of this swing is from 6,000 rubles. The Luffy model has five speeds of motion sickness, three positions of the back. There is a music block with lullabies and sounds of nature, a mobile with toys will be a nice addition. The timer will allow you to set the operating time of the device for 15 minutes, half an hour or an hour. The model can be easily converted into a chaise longue, since the swing cradle is removable with a convenient handle for carrying.
How to choose?
If you have already decided on the amount that you are ready to spend on a swing for a newborn or nursing baby, then it's time to see what set of functions you get for this money. The music block is good, but it will be better if the model has the ability to connect a player, because the programmed 10-12 melodies will sooner or later begin to annoy the parents and bore the baby.
The positions of the back are not particularly important for the newborn, since so far he only needs one thing - a hard cocoon. He doesn't need to sit or half-sit yet. But be sure to pay attention to removable covers, because the swing will get dirty, and the convenience of caring for them is not the last factor affecting the choice.
Too many modes of motion sickness, as practice shows, is a completely useless function, 2-3 is usually enough for a baby. However, it is good if the swing can move not only back and forth, but also to the sides, as well as up and down.
Pay attention to the specific weight limit. In no case should these values be exceeded. Most swings are designed for a child weighing up to 10-11 kilograms. But there are exceptions, for example, on the Internet, you can find a model for 3000 rubles, be happy, and at the same time completely ignore the fact that the swing is intended for children up to 7-8 kilograms. Thus, they will hardly serve you for up to a year.
Be sure to look at the materials from which the swing is made. Soft elements should be made of natural fabrics, and metal parts should preferably be made of aluminum - it is lightweight and easy to carry.
Check that there are rubber or plastic plugs on the legs of the support that will protect the swing from sliding on the floor, and your parquet, laminate and linoleum from holes and scratches.
The opinion of doctors
There is no consensus among pediatricians and neonatologists on the use of electronic swings for babies. Of course, the device is a good simulator of the intrauterine conditions for the existence of the fetus - the swaying accompanied the baby for all 9 months of his life in the mother's belly. From this point of view, the swing is useful because it allows the child to feel in a familiar and therefore safe environment. Bathing gives him exactly the same feeling, because the water also surrounded him in the perinatal period.
However, doctors emphasize that it is important to observe the measure and strictly dose the time that the baby spends in such a toy.
Constant intense swinging does not contribute to the development of the vestibular apparatus, but rather interferes with this important process.
If you use the swing correctly, then there should be no problems, but if the mother rushes things and starts putting the child in them too early, using the backrest adjustment, this can cause problems with the spine and the child's posture in the future.
Doctors who are opposed to the use of electronic swings argue that the devices cause persistent psychological dependence in the child, and separation from the mother causes a breakdown in contact with her, which is very important for the harmonious development of the toddler. In addition, there are diseases in which such a swing is contraindicated. For example, you should not leave a child with congenital pathologies of the musculoskeletal system in them, as well as, according to pediatricians, with a number of neurological disorders.
Mom reviews
Mothers who have already used the miracle of technology speak positively about the swing. They really allow you to free up enough time to complete all the household chores. Some mothers bought a swing before the baby was born, but they started using it only from 3 months, in most cases, the products were purchased after the baby was born.
If children refuse to lie quietly in such a swing, in this case, experienced mothers accustom them to the device gradually - increasing the swing time by 5-10 minutes a day.
The parents call the main disadvantage the high cost, but even here Russian mothers found a way out: on most mothers' forums there are "flea markets" where used swings are sold. Usually they want a maximum of half the price for them.
You will learn more about the electronic swing in the following video.
