Very few things can be as comforting and soothing to a newborn infant than a gentle rocking or swaying motion. A classic and traditional way to lull babies to sleep, the swaying motion reminds baby of its mother’s womb and will entrance them. It is no secret that the easiest and quickest way to get a fussy baby to sleep is by holding it close to you while gently rocking in a rocking chair or glider. Unfortunately, as a busy mom, there are times in the day when we simply cannot stop and do it.

A baby swing can seem like holiness sent from the grace of the heavens for a busy mom with a cranky baby. A swing can give your infant that gentle rocking they are craving, while soft padding keeps them cradled in comfort. You in the meantime, get a much deserved break! There are many styles of baby swings available, from the standard type to the papoose. It all depends on which style you are looking for.

A particularly helpful battery operated swing is one that allows you to decide if it swings front to back, or side to side. Recent studies have shown that babies may find a side to side motion more soothing than that of the front to back rocking. It is thought that the gentle side to side sway more closely mimics the motion felt while inside the mother’s womb.

Other handy options to look for include a timer, which will allow you to set a specific length of time for rocking before turning itself off, thereby saving battery life. Music settings- many swings will have a choice of song selection or nature sounds to stimulate baby’s ears with, and some even have a specific womb sound to make the experience even more realistic for baby.

Another important feature is the adjustability of the swing. Does the seat adjust from fully reclined to upright, and several stations in between? Finding a swing that offers different reclining positions will allow your child to use it for a longer duration. You simply start with the fully reclined position for infants, and adjust upward as they become more mobile and stronger. A fully mobile baby will not be content for long in a reclined seat, and likewise an infant unable to support its own neck won’t have much use for an upright seat in a swing.