As a first time mom, I wanted to be prepared for my little one. I had heard that essentials included a bouncer and a swing. With people asking me to add more to my baby registry, I added the Fisher Price Open-Top Rainforest Swing. I had seen quite a few ads in baby magazines for Fisher Price’s new rainforest collection, and I found the items appealing.

“Baby takes a relaxing swing (side-to-side or front-to-back) as she watches plush rainforest friends in the mobile above play “peek-a-boo” among the leaves. While baby reclines in comfort, one of 12 different songs play, along with soothing nature sounds. And when baby’s trip to the rainforest is over, the mobile swings away…until another day. Six soothing swing speeds, with a plug-in option that can save you money on batteries! Two-position reclining seat and 3-point restraint. Folds easily for storage.”


The Swing

There are two Fisher Price Rainforest swings. There is a smaller, portable version, and this is the larger. The swing measures approximately 28” L x 36” W x 43” H when in opened position. Mine came from Target, but you can find it at other places that carry baby items (like Target). It costs around $120.

This swing takes 4 D batteries, but also plugs in. It has a 25 lb weight limit (or when baby can climb out).

The swing has music/sound effects. There are four “tracks” to choose from, including nursery rhymes and rain. There is a button to choose from two volume settings. There is also a ”leafy canopy” which hangs over the baby. It is on a bar you can simply lower and raise. You can turn on the mobile, and the leaves go up and down while three rainforest critters rotate.

There is a harness for strapping your little one in, as well as a tray that comes down and snaps shut. The tray has a piece in the middle that comes down to the seat so your baby won’t slip through.

You can choose which direction the swing goes – front to back or side to side. All you have to do to change the direction is grab the swing and turn it. There is a button on the top of the swing to adjust how fast you want it to go.


Assembly & Use

Assembly was not too difficult. I had to follow the instructions, but didn’t make any mistakes, and it didn’t take too long. I was two weeks away from my due date and was able to put this together without a problem.

This swing is simple to use. We have had plenty of people at our house, and it’s not hard to figure out the swing even if you’ve never used it before. The buttons are kind of self-explanatory.

The swing folds up for storage, although it is still fairly bulky. To fold, you simply press a button on the back and the legs fold in.


Thoughts & Experiences

For the first two months, my baby had no interest in the swing and hated it. She was really fussy and pretty much hated anything aside from her mom’s arms. Then, towards three months, she started being entertained and falling asleep in the swing! Finally, a respite for mom!

~ ~ ~ Pros ~ ~ ~

▪ Mobile: ”Watching leaves open and close and rainforest animals move in and out of baby's sight fosters visual tracking skills.” I like how the mobile goes up and down so easily. It makes it easy to take the baby in and out of the seat, without trying to get around the mobile. I love the way the leaves go up and down and I think the critters are adorable. Everything has funky shapes and bright colors, and my baby is definitely interested in it.

▪ Washable: The seat cover comes off completely for washing. This has been essential for all my baby products!

▪ Music: ”Rainforest music and sound effects stimulate baby's auditory skills.” The four “tracks” are different and I use them for different situations. For example, when I want the calm baby down and soothe her to sleep, I put on the rain track. If she is alert and just wants to be entertained, I put on the “jungle” song.

▪ Cord: I hate dealing with batteries, and with a newborn, I don’t need to deal with running to the store and worrying about changing batteries, so I’m thrilled this plugs in! It’s just about the only baby item that I have that plugs in!

▪ Swing directions: I like the choice of putting the swing front to back or side-to-side. It does help to have a choice and it is nice to be able to do one or the other.

~ ~ ~ Cons ~ ~ ~

▪ Motor: Even with lightweight newborn (in the first month or two), I never felt like the motor was strong enough. The swing just didn’t seem to swing enough. I understand needing to “start” the swing by giving it a push. However, there were too many times the swing stopped swinging on its own or was just too weak. At times, I could adjust the angle of the swing so that it rocked a little stronger, which is not an “exact science”. There is also a clicking noise every time the swing goes back and forth. It isn’t really loud but I could do without it.

▪ Seat position: When I turn the seat from going side to side or front to back, it clicks into place, but the pole that it is on can be moved freely, so it seems like the positioning is a little iffy. Then I end up fidgeting with the seat so that it looks properly balanced and so that I get the strongest rocking motion out of the motor. I wish it would just click into place.

▪ Recliner: The recliner barely goes up and down. There is barely any difference in seat position. This might have something to do with safety, but it’s almost pointless to have the option since there is barely any difference. Also, to change the position of the seat, you have to hold buttons in on each side of the seat and raise the back. Last time I checked, I had only two arms – so it’s really hard to change the seat position without a struggle. Again, I understand it’s probably a safety issue, but it would be nice if it was an easier mechanism.

▪ Tray: The tray is good that it has a peg that comes down between the baby’s legs so that she can’t slip out (in addition to the harness). However, the bottom of the tray is not smooth or flat on the underside – it is a single molded piece – so that when my baby is kicking and moving her legs around, her legs get jabbed by the edges of the underside of the tray. I’m not really concerned that she will get hurt – it’s not like the underside edges are sharp – but they do leave indentations on her legs that don’t look so comfortable. I know a lot of baby items are like this, but I think it could be better designed.

▪ Bulky & Heavy: I have seen some other swings in use (assembled at Babies R Us and at friend’s houses) and this swing is a little more on the bulky side. It does fold down, but as a busy mom, I won’t be folding this until it is ready to go into storage!


Overall

This swing has been a lifesaver at times, and so in that respect, it has earned it’s keep in our house, despite the problems I have had with it. However, it was a shower gift, and I don’t know if I would be able to justify spending this much money on my own, although the price is pretty comparable with other similar swings. It has both pros and cons, and there is definitely room for improvement with this product.

3 stars for average – this is a nice swing in most respects, but could use some improvements.


http://www.fisher-price.com/




My other baby reviews:
Eddie Bauer B is for Bear Bouncer
Pampers Sensitive Wipes
Munchkin Bottle Drying Rack
Pampers Swaddlers New Baby
Johnson’s Naturals Soothe & Protect Balm
Munchkin Bottle Brush
Dex Wipe Wamer With Light
Soothie Pacifiers
Diaper Genie II


Recommended: Yes