i found the papasan was rather fast - it wasn't TOO fast, but we never went past the first setting as it was well and truly fast enough at that point! i only had it swinging while DD was awake and would then stop it - so the batteries lasted ages. we used it til she was about 5 months and she wasn't that keen to stay in it anymore. she only ever liked it side to side - the other way left her rather upset and much more pukey (poor refluxy girl! we only did it that way twice cos of that!). i think the papasans swing is suited to heavier babies - heavier bubbas don't seem to swing as fast as the swing has to work harder...