
1) Swing
The early stages of your bundles life will be accompanied by many large products to hold and entertain them while you do daily chores or take a well deserved break.
Swings will provide a continual rocking motion that many babies seem to want from your arms all day. These units will have several speeds, possible options of music and several reclining positions.
- As babies get heavier, the motor on the swing has to work harder so try to buy one with several speeds, allowing longevity of use.
- Chances are you will use this item with a newborn so ensure it has a good recline on it or else your baby's head will fall forward.
-Note: Fisher Price now produces a plug-in/battery operated swing so you are not relying on batteries all the time!
2) Bouncy, Bouncy, Bouncy
Bouncy chairs can often provide a great substitute for a swing especially if you are tight for space. Saying that, the bouncy chair obviously does not provide the extreme motion as that of a swing. If your munchkin is a motion lover, it probably will be a great addition not a swing substitute. With lots of different makes you’ll have classic non-electric styles like the Baby Bjorn model, as well as vibrating, height adjustable, musical playing units made by companies such as Summer and Fisher-Price.
Parenting Tip from KJ- If your child is content to sit and self soothe and entertain him/herself, you need not over stimulate with all the bells and whistles often loaded onto their equipment. Self soothers are content, you can leave them be with their thoughts!
3) Jumpers
Jumpers and exersaucers lead off after swings and bouncers. At this stage, (approximately 4 months) children show an inclination to want to sit/stand up. This obviously takes time as they build strength through their torsos and legs. Door frame jumpers (you need decent, strong door frames to accommodate these items) and bouncers will place your child in a supported upright position allowing them to place their *feet* (they should only have their tip toes touching the ground to prevent leg issues later) on the ground and move around and up and down safely without you having to try to support them yourself over an extended period of time.