Graco Swings: Helping to Prevent Parental Nervous Breakdowns for Decades
Written: Dec 06 '05 (Updated May 31 '06)
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Pros: Open top; Long lasting battery life; Easy and safe to use
Cons: No music; Toys cannot be replaced with your own
The Bottom Line: This is a very good swing with plenty of positives points that easily outweigh the few negatives.
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| Bryan_Carey's Full Review: Graco Open Top 3-Speed Swing |
Having a new family member has been an enjoyable but also trying time, with many sleepless nights and lethargic days. Finding ways to get my little girl to fall asleep for an extended period of time has been a challenge, but so has finding ways to keep her entertained when she is wide awake. One method I have discovered that not only entertains but can also lead to sleep is swinging. And the device I use for this task is my Graco Open Top Three Speed Baby Swing, one of the most important products I have purchased since becoming a dad for the first time.
Facts About This Product:
This model of swing features a metal frame with two pairs of metal legs that join on opposite sides above the swing and are joined together on the bottom. This forms the main frame of the swing and it basically looks like a metal rod that once formed a rectangle was taken and bent in the middle (two inverted “V” shaped metal rods joined only at the base). Connected to the top of this frame are the two metal arms that join with the seat itself. It is these metal rods that rock back and forth to create the swinging action. Above the swing is wide open space. This is better than swings with a top piece because you don’t need to worry about bumping your baby’s head upon entering or exiting the swing.
The seat of this swing is constructed of heavy duty plastic with four different reclining positions and a seat belt to hold your baby in place. This belt consists of three pieces: A large piece in the middle that goes between your baby’s legs and a belt on each side that goes over your baby’s legs and then latches on either side of the middle piece.
In front of the seat is a white, plastic tray that is attached to the seat on one side and lifts up on the other. On top of this tray there are two pre- installed toys to keep your baby entertained. As he/she rocks back and forth, he/she can play with these two toys by swatting at them or become entranced by just staring at them.
Four D size batteries are necessary for operating this swing. You need to use a screwdriver, coin, or similar flat object to open the battery compartment. And there are three settings: Low, Medium, and High. There is no option to plug the swing into an ordinary electrical outlet. You have no choice but to use batteries. The weight limit for this swing is 25 pounds.
Customer Service:
The web site for this company is gracobaby.com. In the site, you can find out all sorts of facts about baby swings and compare the different product offerings. If you need to call Graco, the number is 800-345-4109, but bear in mind that the customer service lines are open only Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm Eastern Time.
Final Thoughts:
Graco’s Open Top Three Speed Baby Swing has proven to be a lifesaver in my household. One of the greatest problems I have experienced with my baby is finding a way to keep my little one entertained while we go about doing chores and other things. Merely setting her down on a flat surface or placing her in the bassinet doesn’t cut it. If she is wide awake, she wants to be entertained in some way or else she will start to cry until the situation is changed. This swing has helped to accomplish this task, providing a place where my little girl can swing and play a little bit while the adults in the house work on projects, chores, and other responsibilities.
The design of this swing makes it easy to use. There is no top to bump into- it is wide open and this makes entry and exit very simple. All you have to do is lift the white tray by gripping the right side of the tray, pulling the two tabs with your fingers to release, and then lifting it up and to the left. Then, you place your baby in the seat, fasten each of the two belts into place, adjust the reclining positions if you want, and start swinging. There is even a plastic extender, located on the underside of the tray right in the center that helps to keep babies in place and prevent them from slipping out. If your baby is strapped in correctly this shouldn’t be a worry but it doesn’t hurt to have the additional peace of mind.
Three levels of swing speed exist on this device. You select the one you want by pressing one of the three buttons. To stop the swing, you press the large red button underneath the three. There is a small red light that displays just above the selected speed so that you know which one you are using.
To get the swing going, you have two choices. You can either select a speed and then sit back and wait for it to slowly work its way up to that level. Or, to get it started more quickly, you can select a speed and then give the swing itself a good push. It will automatically adjust itself to a continuous speed. Without pushing first, it can take a minute or more to reach the desired speed. This isn’t much, but it can be an eternity to a fussy infant.
For starters, I usually use the middle setting on my four- month old little girl. This is a good, middle of the road speed and she seems to enjoy it at this age. It’s fast enough to keep her entertained but also slow enough that it can induce sleep. On the highest setting, there is a good chance she won’t fall asleep so I tend to avoid using this setting (unless, of course, sleeping isn’t my ultimate goal). The slowest setting is a little too slow for entertainment purposes. I usually switch the swing over to this slow speed once my little one has already drifted off to sleep.
This swing has a cloth covering over the seat that is easy to remove and machine wash. The tray has some entertaining toys, but you cannot fasten your own toys in their place. It would be nice if you could because you would then be able to use the exact toys your baby likes best. But there is no way to fasten them so the best you can do is place your baby’s favorite toys directly on the tray itself, between the two stationary toys.
This swing doesn’t feature any music, and that could be a disappointment to some. Music could help some babies fall asleep even faster. But the constant rocking back and forth does offer a ticking sound and while it may not be very pleasant for adults to listen to, it can help get your baby to fall asleep.
My only other small complaint about this swing is the fact that it is exclusively battery operated. But the reason I say this is only a small complaint is because, as much as I hate the annoyance of purchasing batteries, the ones in this device last a very long time. According to the manufacturer, one set of D size alkaline batteries will last about 200 hours! That’s a surprising amount of time for a device that seems like it would eat up energy quickly (with the weight and the back and forth motion). With this many hours of usage, one set of batteries can last many months depending on usage levels.
Having a baby swing has been a godsend in my household. Before I had this swing, there was no possible way that my wife and I could work on projects or chores simultaneously. Now, with the aid of Graco, we have a refuge for our little girl- an entertaining device that keeps her occupied, keeps her busy, and helps get her to fall asleep. It’s one of the few baby- related goods that I could not live without and have no regrets buying.
I recommend purchasing a Graco Swing (or some other swing) to any new parent. It will prove to be one of the wisest investments you ever make; keeping your baby content and saving your nerves from shattering.
For More Baby Product Reviews, Be Sure to Click on the Links Below:
Baby Formula:
Similac Advance DHA/ARA
Nestle Good Start Supreme DHA/ARA
Enfamil Lipil with Iron
Similac Advance Soy Formula
Bright Beginnings with DHA/ARA
Baby Diapers:
Huggies Supreme Diapers
LUVS Diapers
Pampers Baby Dry Diapers
Huggies Diapers
Baby Foods:
Gerber Finger Foods
Gerber Multi- Grain Cereal
Baby Merchandise:
Graco Snugride Baby Car Seat- Windsor
Kolcraft Cuddle ‘N Care Rocking Bassinet
Cosco Alpha/Omega Elite Baby Car Seat
Baby Cleanup:
Johnson’s Bedtime Lotion, Bedtime
Huggies Baby Wipes with Shea Butter
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo
Johnson’s Bedtime Bath
Recommended:
Yes
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