Baby Bouncer vs Rocker vs Swing...?

[Indadhanu]

Well at first I thought we'd just get a rocker that can rock or be still, and be reclined or sitting up.

Some people (mainly my parents and PIL) say a bouncer like a Bouncinet thing is all you need.
Some other people say thay you absolutely shouldn't go without a rocker that vibrates and sings (and for the price of some of them I'm guessing they do housework as well?!?!?!?!?! ).
Others (SIL) say don't both with a bouncer or rocker, you'll abolsutely kick yourself if you don't have a swing, so you can go off and do housework etc. while they swing.

And now I'm confused. And I've asked shop assistants, but they seem to think the most expensive brand on the market is the only thing worth buying and for some reason (just CAN'T put my finger on it lol) I just don't think they're telling me the truth!

So BB ladies, I know you won't lead me astray! I have some questions:

What are your opinions on each of them?
Do/did any of you use them? How often, and how long did bub use it for?
What do you think is the most important thing when you buy one? Are there things I should look out for?
Anything else I don't know about?

[Pretty Butterfly]

You can get ones that are pretty much all in one!! Its like a mini high chair, that goes from reclined for new bubba, to sitting and swinging with mucis and toys, to sitting up properly so you can feed them in it... I know a mum who soley uses this and her DD is almost 2!!!

Good luck honey, hard choice!!!

[~Trish~]

A rocker and a bouncer are the same thing. Are your parents referring to the old-fashioned mesh bouncers? You can't get them anymore anyway and a second hand one won't meet the Australian standards if that helps!

I used a rocker for both of my boys and found it wonderful. You can take your bub everywhere with you around the house. It's also great for a change of 'scenery' when they get a bit bored on the floor. I think vibrating musical ones are a bit over-rated! Features I like - a sunhood if you think you'll use it outdoors, a toy bar that can be moved out of the way (babies get overstimulated with too many toys so it's handy if you can leave bub in the rocker, but move the toys away when they crack it!) and height adjustable.

I also have a swing which was fantastic when my DS was tiny, but now he is bigger (6 months) he doesn't want to stay in it unless I'm sitting next to him, otherwise he tries to get out of it. So if you get a swing you will probably think it's great, but it's not as versatile as a rocker.

Hope that kind of answers your questions!

[Lolli]

Are your parents referring to the old-fashioned mesh bouncers? You can't get them anymore anyway

Actually you cant still get these, I've got one I only bought about six months and it meets the Aus Standards. And DS loves it. We have a swing too, with a flip away toy bar that he's happy to sit in and swing away... it's great for those days when he just does not want to sleep!!
It's so confusin isn't it? But I'd definately go a swing... it is great for getting some housework done.

[nic]

Leasha, we've been trying to decide the same thing as well.
I had a chat with a friend the other day who told me her first bub liked the rocker, but the second one hated it and she had to go and buy a swing, which he loves.
Knowing my luck, whichever one I buy will be the wrong one LOL.

Nic

[tan32]

I got buy with a rocker for my two, its very portable and could use my foot to rock it while doing other things, i dont have one with all the mod cons though, i recently brought a take along swing of ebay for $30 i figured if bub doesnt like it at least i didnt fork out loads of money. and it folds down so we can take it with us.

My mum used a bouncer, the mesh type for my DD who loved the fact that when she kicked it would bounce. These are out on the market again, my near by baby store sells them brand new for around $40.

[Nicambhar]

I am going to hire one, not sure if I want the swing or the vibrating rocker thingy, but I am baulking at the price too when it will only be used for a short period of time and also the fact that my bub may not like it.

[Chocaholic]

I had all three and they all came to me as presents. IMO:

Bouncers - fabulous for the first 6 months until bubs can roll over. You can bounce bubs when s/he is unsettled and it gives your arms a rest. Also lifts them up a little so they can see what is happening.

Rocker - sent Cooper off to sleep very easily but as soon as I picked him up to put him in his cot, he woke up. Pretty much the same as the bouncer though just more expensive. P.S. Cooper hated the songs/music and he screamed whenever they were on so I used it as an upmarket bouncer.

Swing - Cooper loathed the songs/music on the swing I had. I would also not leave him in the swing alone, I kept thinking that if he got his fingers near the frame and the swing was moving, it might jar his fingers. I was never afraid it would permanently injure him, just it might hurt him. Cooper grew out of it within about 8 months so I probably got an extra 2 months out of it but he didn't really want to be in it those months as he wanted to roll over and play with toys.

All up, I preferred the bouncer, the other two had to stay where they were set up. Besides I preferred to move Cooper around with me and he liked being on the floor in the different rooms around the house. New scenery I suppose.

Unless bubs is really unsettled and smooth motion calms them down, the rocker and swing I could do without.

Whatever you buy, make sure the cover can come off for washing (and ignore the handwashing covers as it is too hard, machine washable is easier and I think can be a better clean when you have the poop and vomit from hell) and everything is easy to clean (hosable is the best option LOL!).