Parents commonly use baby bouncers and baby swings to lull and calm their offspring. This can help parents take a much-needed break as long as they remain vigilant about safety precautions. Baby swings and bouncers both come with a variety of features. Both need to be carefully maintained and inspected frequently to ensure safety, according to Consumer Reports.
Similar Function
A baby bouncer is a seat that will either spring or bounce while your child sits inside it. There are flexible-framed bouncers that move due to the weight of your baby. There are also battery operated bouncers that give a rocking motion that is consistent and does not depend on your baby's weight.
Swings utilize battery power and run with a motor or can be powered via a wind-up mechanism. An infant swing has a frame, the mechanism that swings the infant and a seat that the infant can be placed in either a seated or reclined position. Both swings and bouncers can feature adjustable speeds, according to The New Parents Guide.
Varied Features
Swings can take up a fair amount of space and are less portable than bouncers. Bouncers utilize a smaller area and are easy to relocate. Neither should be moved when the baby is in it. Both swings and bouncers can come with features like musical sounds and attached toys. People should not try to attach their own toys to either item because it can pose a strangulation hazard.
Different Weight Limits
It's important to pay attention to and follow the weight limit set by manufacturers for both swings and bouncers, Consumer Reports advises. For bouncers, the weight limit is usually from 18 to 30 pounds. Babies who weigh more than the limit can tip the seat and may be injured. For swings, the weight limit is commonly 25 or 30 pounds.
Overlapping Precautions
Safety precautions for the two items are similar in many ways, according to Consumer Reports. Do not put either on a table or other elevated surface. Always secure the baby with the safety harness, and a five-point harness is best. Do not leave the baby unattended, even if she seems content and secure. Do not leave the baby in the swing or bouncer for more than 30 minutes, Consumer Reports recommends. People need to quit using swings when the baby attempts to climb out. Quit using a bouncer as soon as the baby can sit up without assistance, Consumer Reports advises.
Injury and Death Numbers Close
There were about 1,900 injuries in 2005 and three deaths for children younger than 5 between 2001 and 2003 attributed to baby bouncers, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. There were about 1,800 injuries and four deaths attributed to portable baby swings in the same time frame, according to the CSPC.
