I had a Maclaren rocker.

I wanted a swing but thought that it would only last 6 months and even less if the baby was big (which he was!).

Austin didn't like the rocker in those first few months - then I worked out it was the toy bar that bugged him and it became a new best friend. It is very portable, has handles and a sunhood (definitely need those!) so was fantastic to sit him in by the pool and let me have a few minutes to swim. I also used to set it up in the kitchen and rock it with my foot while I cooked dinner. And the vibrations sent him to sleep a couple of times. He wasn't good to move though so on the odd occasion he fell asleep I put a blanket over and left him there. The best thing about it was that it was easy to fold up and throw in the car, so I could put him in it for a nap at a friends house with a muslin wrap draped over the shade. It could sit reclined or fully up in locked position (no rocking) so when he got older it was a great feeding chair when I was out at people's houses, or I could sit him in it with a rusk while I was outside hanging washing. So the portability was fantastic.

What used to annoy me was that every time we used it the PIL's whinged at us and told us to go and get a bouncinette as every kid needs one. I'd roll my eyes and tell them this was the same thing only new and improved and they just wouldn't agree! Oldies eh?!

I think I'd still like a swing though as DS loved my friends one and actually still fit in it at 6 months old. The only problem is that it takes up so much space and I don't think they fold down as compact as the rocker does. Just like the high chair that now sits around taking up space until the next bubba is ready for it.