The best baby swing for reflux can be such a great help in not only helping your newborn but also in giving you some hands-free time to do your chores or work when needed.
If you have a baby with reflux or if you’re looking to consider other options for baby swings, then you’ll find this article really helpful.
I’ve done my absolute best in researching each of these baby swings. I’ve even included some feedback from parents in forums and online parenting groups, that would really help you make the best decision on what baby swing to get.
So let’s dive in and start with a quick comparison feature of the best baby swings for babies with reflux.
(Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own. For more information see Affiliate Policy.)
List of Contents
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The best baby swing for reflux is the Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing. It has a 5 -point harness adjustable seat, with speed settings and music. Plus you can choose to plug it in or use its battery!
Compare The 5 Best Baby Swings For Reflux
This is best viewed on a desktop computer. In a nutshell, here are the feature summary of the the 5 best baby swings for reflux.
| Features | Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing | Graco DuetSoothe Baby Swing and Rocker | 4Moms Mamaroo 4 Baby Swing | Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat Portable Swing – Ridgedale | Graco Simple Sway LX Baby Swing, Teddy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harness | 5 point harness | 5 point harness | 3 point harness | 5 point harness | 5 point harness |
| Adjustable Seat | 2 positions | 2 positions | Multi-recline feature | NA | NA |
| Comfort | soft and plush material | soft and plush material | has 3 fabric options | soft material | mixed reviews |
| Weight Limit | newborn up to age where kid can climb out or are more active | newborn up to age where kid can climb out or are more active | newborn up to age where kid can climb out or are more active | newborn up to age where kid can climb out or are more active | older babies up to toddlers |
| Power Source | Plug in/ Battery | Plug in/ Battery | Plug in | Battery | Plug in/ Battery |
| Swing Motions | 2 ways | 3 ways | 5 ways | 1 way | 3 ways |
| Swing Speeds | 6 speeds | 6 speeds | 5 speeds | 5 speeds | 6 speeds |
| Songs/ Sounds | 16 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 15 |
| Vibration Mode | not available | 2 vibration mode | None | Available | 2 vibration mode |
| Timer | 20 minutes for songs | For swing only | NA | 3 settings for swing: 30, 45, and 60 minutes | NA |
| Entertainment | Rotating toys, mirror | 3 stationary toys | crinkly ball, rattle, mirror | stationary leaf toy bar, 1 toy | 3 stationary toys |
| Machine Washable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Easy to Assemble | Moderate | Mixed reviews | Easy | Easy | Difficult |
| Portable | Possible but not easy | No | Mixed reviews | Yes | No |
| 2-in-1 | No | Swing/ Rocker | No | Swing/Vibrating Seat | No |
| Size | Height: 30″ Width: 14.5″ Depth: 12.5″ | Width: 34″ Height: 43″ Depth: 33″ | Width: 19.5″ Height: 33″ Depth: 25.5″ | Width: 22″ Height: 23″ Depth: 23.5″ | Width: 30″ Height: 38″ Depth: 31″ |
Best Baby Swing For Reflux
1.) Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing
Considered as the best classic baby swing, the Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Cradle ‘n Swing soothes your baby almost as good as you can and gets our top vote for best baby swing for reflux.
Safety
Parents have high praises for this swing as it has tremendously helped them settle their newborns and older babies with reflux.
The seat features 2 positions – one for reclining at an approximately 10-degree angle (close to flat) and the upright elevates at an approximately 35-degree angle, safe enough so it doesn’t compress your baby’s airway.
You can put your baby in the upright position after they’ve eaten for at least 30 minutes or less, to prevent reflux episodes. Then make them nap on it, in the reclining position.
But take note that baby swings can only be used for supervised napping and are not recommended for overnight sleeping.
It also has a 5-points harness to keep your baby safe and snug in the swing.
Comfort
It has an infant insert that’s plush and comfortable. It also has a super soft and fluffy puppy seat pad, great as an added support for your newborn.
Baby’s Weight
This is suitable for newborns up to a point when your kid becomes more active and can climb out of the seat.
Some have stopped using it at 3 months, some a little older. It really depends on your baby.
Power Source
The swing can be plugged in or run on batteries. Its battery life can last for 50 hours.
Calming Features
It can swing 2 ways – from side to side or from front to back.
There are also 6 swing levels that you can adjust. For babies with reflux, we suggest a slow speed to keep them calm and not aggravate their condition.
It also has 16 songs and sounds that you can choose from – from soothing lullabies to upbeat music and even nature sounds (cricket/ owls).
The music is a great feature to keep your baby happy and distracted while the other sounds act like a white noise that can calm your baby.
You can also adjust the volume level to whatever your baby likes best.
It has a smart swing technology, which basically means it’s “a swing with a timer”.
You can’t turn it off or on manually though so you either have to wait for the music to stop or you have to turn it back on.
Timer for the music is set at 20 minutes.
Entertainment
Your baby will love the rotating dangling toys and will be fascinated by their reflection with the mirror mobile.
Mirrors are actually great for a baby’s development, to improve their visual tracking skills.
Easy to Clean
The puppy pillow, body insert and head support are removable and are machine washable, making it easy to wash it when your baby spits up or has a poonami.
For the rest, you can just wipe it clean.
Easy To Assemble/ Move
It’s moderately easy to assemble, some moms said they can do it in 10 minutes on their own.
Others required more help and took at least 30 minutes, as this swing has been broken down into so many different parts that a new, overwhelmed mom might struggle with.
For setup, the swing requires a space that measures 30 inches high, 14.5 inches wide, and 12.5 inches deep.
Moving this swing is not a walk in the park but it’s definitely doable.
It has two collapsible legs, which are 26 inches apart and has a latch on the back leg to fold it.
It is lightweight enough to get through doorways. It might still feel pretty cumbersome for some to lift and move from one room to another.
Cons
- Some people have difficulty assembling it because of the many parts and the tricky instructions.
- It can also take a lot of space, as it’s base width is at 38 inches.
- Some have also complained that it’s a little too noisy and that it has the clicking, annoying sound while swinging.
- It doesn’t come with a vibration mode, a great feature that can also calm a baby with reflux.
- Some have also noted that the motor started failing after a few months of use.
- It’s kinda pricey, especially if you can only use it for a few months.
2.) Graco DuetSoothe Baby Swing and Rocker
Known as the best swing-bouncer combo or as the best double duty baby swing, the Grace DuetSoothe Baby Swing and Rocker can soothe your baby, keeping them calm and happy.
Safety
Parents love the safety and durability this swing brings, with its full-body support, wide base (preventing it from tipping over when swinging), and its 5-point harness, keeping babies snug and secure.
It offers 2 positions – one that is almost flat and one that’s a little bit higher, sort of like a car seat, which is more suited for babies with reflux.
You can adjust their seat from upright to recline without disturbing your baby that much.
It has an infant insert for added comfort and support, especially for newborns who don’t have the strength yet to hold their head and neck properly.
The swing seat is approximately 29″ long and 19″ wide so take note of that when deciding where to set it up in your house.
Comfort
Its seat material is soft and plush, comfortable enough for babies to have supervised naps.
Baby’s Weight
As a baby swing, it can hold a baby’s weight of up to 30 lbs. When turned to a baby rocker, it can hold up to 18 lbs.
Power Source
You can plug it in when using or it can also run on 5D batteries. 1-D (LR20-1.5V) battery for the vibration unit and 4-D (LR20-1.5V) batteries for the motor unit.
Calming Features
It has 3 swinging directions that can relax your baby – side to side or front to back.
It has 2-speed vibration and 6 swing speeds, to soothe and calm your baby.
You can also adjust the volume of the swing to your baby’s comfort.
Oddly though, it only vibrates on battery and not when plugged in. You can use the vibration mode though for both swing and rocker.
It also has 10 classical melodies and 5 nature sounds to entertain and pacify your baby.
There’s a timer for the swing mode but not when it’s on vibration mode.
Entertainment
It has 3 soft toys but it doesn’t rotate, which makes it a bit boring, as stated by some parents.
The toys wiggle a bit though when on swinging mode, which can keep your kid entertained.
Easy to Clean
The seat pad and harness cover is machine washable, convenient for babies who regularly spit ups and even for some diaper blow-out situations.
For the rest, especially the swing frame, you can wipe and clean it with household soap and warm water.
Easy To Assemble/ Move
Parents have some mixed reviews on how to assemble it. Some find it so easy while some took 2 adults and at least one hour or two to assemble.
For the latter, they said Youtube instructions were much more helpful than the ones in the manual.
Moving it as a swing from room to room can be pretty difficult as it’s pretty large and cumbersome and it has to be angled to fit in a doorway but it’s doable.
The rocker is small enough though to fit any door. It can be quite convenient to move it from one room to another.
It doesn’t fold up for storage and it needs to be disassembled.
2-in-1 One
If you want a baby swing that can also transform into a rocker, then the Graco Duet Soothe is perfect for you.
The swing seat can be easily removed from the swing base and can turn into rocker in no time at all!
However, the rocker doesn’t have any automatic settings so you’d need to rock your baby manually if needed.
Cons
- The swing set takes a lot of space and can be difficult to move from room to room.
- It also has a mixed review on the ease or difficulty of its assembly. Some parents took 15 minutes to assemble it, others took 2 hours to put it together!
- Some customers have also complained that it gets louder after a few weeks or months of use, especially when it swings.
- Some parents have also complained that the motor stopped working when their babies got a little bigger (approximately at 18 pounds)
- It has a timer but some parents said that theirs didn’t have one.
- For something that you can only use for a few months, it’s kinda expensive.
3.) 4Moms Mamaroo 4 Baby Swing
This high-tech-looking swing also comes in high style, with its savvy Bluetooth feature and its modern, sleek look. I also have a comparison review here of the 4Moms Mamaroo vs Rockaroo if you’re interested.
Safety
This gorgeous baby swing offers adjustable seating positions, allowing your baby to sit up and play, settle down (especially when they have reflux) or lie back and take a nap.
When fully reclined, the MamaRoo 4 infant seat is at a 45 degree angle, which is still upright enough to prevent reflux episodes. Always check though if your baby’s airway is not compromised with the angle, especially if you have a newborn or smaller baby.
The Mamaroo has only a 3 point harness at the waist, compared to the first 2 baby swings which have a 5 point harness. If you have a very active baby, it might not be secure enough to keep them sitting tight in the baby swing.
It’s also highly advisable that you transfer your baby in their crib once they’ve fallen asleep on the Mamaroo.
It might look very sleek and compact but its base is very stable.
Comfort
It also offers 3 fabric options:
- the plush seat fabric that comes in multi colors and silver, which are soft and are like a blanket,
- the classic grey and black fabric seat that are smooth and made of woven polyester material and
- the cool, dark grey mesh seat fabric, that has a breathable surface to keep the baby cool and comfortable.
It doesn’t require an infant insert (which you have to buy separately) but it is recommended for babies to have that swaddling feeling.
Baby’s Weight
It’s intended to use from birth or up until your baby attempts to climb out or can sit unassisted, whichever comes first.
Power Source
This baby swing only works when plugin. No batteries are required.
Calming Features
It’s bluetooth enabled, making it easy to adjust the swing’s motion and sounds from a compatible smart device.
Here’s the kicker – they claim that it can replicate the natural swinging motions of parents and by the looks (and price!) of it, I kinda believe them!
It offers 5 swinging motions – the car ride, kangaroo, tree swing, rock a bye, wave swinging motion.
The car ride motion vibrates slightly so I can imagine that it can be quite calming for babies, enough for them to fall asleep quickly.
Parents love these 5 motions and they also like the fact that they control it via their phones, even if they are in another room.
It has 5-speed options and 4 built-in sounds to soothe a fussy baby. The built-in sounds though are quite limited – it’s just white noise and static that mimics what the baby hears while in the mother’s womb.
Entertainment
It has an interactive and reversible crinkly toy ball, a rattle, and a mirror to keep your little one entertained.
Its Bluetooth capability does not allow for streaming of music but you can play your baby’s favourite tune by connecting your MP3 player via an input jack on its base. Music will then play via its speakers.
It doesn’t have a timer but it can stay on for 4 hours before shutting off completely.
Easy to Clean
All seat fabrics are easily removable and are machine washable. The toy balls are machine washable as well.
Easy To Assemble/ Move
Parents are raving how easy it is to assemble and bluetooth setup is also a breeze.
It’s 19.5″ wide, 33″ tall, and 25.5″ long and weighs 19lbs, requiring some allotted space in your home.
There are mixed reviews about its size. Some parents mentioned that it’s light and portable and they even used this when traveling. Others said it’s heavy and bulky and it’s so uncomfortable to move from room to room.
Cons
- It can be quite pricey, especially compared to other popular brands.
- Other parents have also complained about it’s low-quality speakers and that motor makes a loud, annoying noise.
- Some also mentioned that the app and the Bluetooth feature don’t work sometimes.
- Others find it cumbersome to carry and move from room to room.
- They also said that it can sit fairly low to the ground. So if you have pets, it would be easy for your baby felines to snatch any toy or blanket from the baby swing, which can leave your baby in distress.
- Some parents also complained that the ball toys kept falling down on their babies.
- Some also complained that it’s swinging motions are too slow, even if it’s already set at the highest setting.
4.) Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat Portable Swing – Ridgedale
This affordable, budget baby swing can turn into a bouncer as well, making it worthy of the best baby swing for reflux list.
Safety
The Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing (Ridgedale) has a 5 point harness to keep your baby snug and safe. It also has a non-slip feet area for extra security.
You can’t adjust its seat though and it only has one available reclining position.
It has a lock to keep it stationary if you choose to keep it that way.
Comfort
Its fabric is super soft, making it comfortable for your baby to settle and nap in.
Baby’s Weight
It’s suitable for newborns and up until your kid can climb out of it or when they can sit on their own, whichever comes first.
Power Source
It’s battery operated which can be a bummer as you need lots of batteries if you’re going to use this for quite some time.
It takes 2 different kinds of batteries for its music and vibration mode to work, which I find weird. The swing needs 4 D size batteries and it’s vibrator needs 1 C size battery.
On the upside, it has a Hybridrive Technology that can make batteries last for up to 3 times longer.
Calming Features
It has 5 swing speeds and can convert into a vibrating infant seat, perfect for soothing fussy babies.
It can only swing from front to back though so it might be quite limiting, especially if your baby prefers a side-to-side swinging motion.
It has WhisperQuiet technology, producing a whisper-quiet sound.
Add in the 8 various calming melodies plus 3 nature sounds (with volume control), and its vibration mode, and you can easily calm down a very colicky baby.
The swing timer has also 3 settings: 30, 45, and 60 minutes. It can be helpful when your baby needs constant swinging and can settle and nap on it after the swing stops.
Be mindful though of using the vibration mode as there’s no timer for it and it can go on for days (or until the battery dies out) if you forget to turn it off.
Entertainment
It comes with a leaf toy bar and 1 small stuff toy. There’s still some space to add in 3 more toys but parents find it difficult to find a suitable toy that can fit on it.
The leaf bar can be moved to the side, should you want to lift or play with your baby. It doesn’t rotate nor does it do anything fancy but it will entertain your baby for short periods of time.
Easy to Clean
It’s removable headrest and seat pad are all machine washable. The lear toy bar, toy and frame can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and mild soap.
Easy To Assemble/ Move
It’s pretty easy to assemble and is very compact and great for small spaces. It can also be folded for easy storage (can fit under the crib) and transport.
Take note though the swing seat is approximately 6-8 inches from the floor so if you have pets or other crawling babies, better keep an eye on them.
2-in-1 One
This baby swing can easily convert into a vibrating stationary seat with its secure EasyLock system, which can still pacify a crying baby.
Cons
- It’s a very basic swing that only swings one way – front to back.
- It lacks a plugin option, a feature that can help you save up on batteries.
- It only has one seating position and it can’t adjust to a more upright position.
- Some parents have complained that it doesn’t offer much entertainment for their babies, there’s no rotating mobile toys or mirror for example.
- Even if there’s available slots to add toys in, it’s hard to find suitable toys that can attach to its leaf toy bar.
5.) Graco Simple Sway LX Baby Swing, Teddy
A surprising bestseller, this Graco Simple Sway LX Baby Swing delivers more than your usual basic baby swing.
Safety
This baby swing features a 5 point harness, keeping your baby safe and secure in the swing.
It’s quite deep and spacious and great for bigger, older babies with reflux as it has a more upright position, laying at a 45 degree angle.
This Graco Simple Sway doesn’t have a multi-recline feature though so its seat can’t adjust at all. It might not suit newborns or smaller babies as they can flop forward or their head can sink down when sleeping.
It sits 8 inches above the ground which has gotten some complaints from parents, saying that it’s hard to get their babies when it’s that low on the ground.
Comfort
The baby swing comes with a removable infant head support for added comfort.
But as mentioned, some parents have an issue with its single seating position, as it’s not really comfortable for newborns.
Baby’s Weight
It can hold babies weighing 5.5 to 30 lb.
Toddlers can use this as it’s large enough to accommodate their size. Some can even sleep on their side comfortably in this baby swing!
Power Source
You can choose to plug it in or use its 4D batteries. The vibration mode needs batteries though and can’t function even if it’s plugged in.
(I find that a very odd feature, even in all the other baby swing options I’ve reviewed so far, what is up with that? Why does the vibrating mode always need a battery, even if the baby swing can be plugged in? If anyone can explain that, please do so in the comments, that would be really enlightening.)
Calming Features
Though the Graco Simple sway doesn’t offer a multi-recline feature, it makes up for it by offering a multi-direction swinging motion: left, right or center.
You can also easily adjust your baby’s view, if preferred.
It comes with 6 swing speeds, 2 vibration settings and 15 songs/sounds that mostly comprises soothing melodies and nature/ white sounds.
The swinging and vibration mode will need to be manually shut off. This can be an advantage for babies who want a continuous swinging motion.
The music and sounds however, will automatically shut off after 1 hour.
The swinging is very quiet and very relaxing for babies although some parents have complained of the loud, clicking noise from the motor.
Entertainment
It comes with 3 hanging toys that can keep the baby entertained although some parents wish it was rotating, to make it a less boring baby swing.
Easy to Clean
The seat pad is removable and is machine washable. Which is convenient, especially for diaper blow-ups or reflux episodes.
Easy To Assemble/ Move
It’s not that easy to assemble, as parents keep complaining about the confusing instructions. They kinda wished it came in completely assembled.
It’s also not portable, it can’t fit in doorways without taking it apart so you can’t really move it from one room to another.
Cons
- It doesn’t offer a multi-recline feature so you can’t adjust the seat at all.
- It’s not suited for newborns or smaller babies as it doesn’t have a proper head positioning support.
- Some parents complained that it’s difficult to assemble.
- It’s not portable – hard to move from one room to another without disassembling it.
- The seat fabric can feel rough and might be uncomfortable for your baby.
- Some parents have complained that it makes a squeaky, noisy sound when swinging.
What is Reflux in Babies?
For new parents, it can be quite alarming seeing your kid in distress, especially when they spit up large amounts of milk.
Reflux though is quite common and usually goes away or gets better on its own without any medical treatment.
What Causes Reflux in Babies?
There are a number of possible causes of reflux, the most common is an undeveloped digestive system – when the ring muscle between the esophagus and the stomach is not yet fully developed, causing stomach contents to flow back up.
As your baby gets older, that ring muscle will eventually mature, opening only when your baby swallows and will stay close at other times, keeping stomach contents where it should be.
Other factors can also contribute to reflux such as:
- Premature birth
- Full Liquid diet
- Laying flat most of the time
Other causes according to the Mayo Clinic, are more serious and needs a doctor’s intervention, such as:
GERD
The reflux has enough acid to irritate and damage the lining of the esophagus.
Pyloric stenosis. A valve between the stomach and the small intestine is narrowed, preventing stomach contents from emptying into the small intestine.
Food intolerance
A protein in cow’s milk is the most common trigger.
Eosinophilic esophagitis
A certain type of white blood cell (eosinophil) builds up and injures the lining of the esophagus.
Sandifer syndrome
This causes abnormal tilting and rotation of the head and movements that resemble seizures. It’s a rarely seen consequence of GERD.
Signs And Symptoms of Reflux In Newborn Babies
Reflux is quite common even amongst the healthiest of babies and will eventually go away on its own when their digestive system develops and fully matures,
Common symptoms though of reflux can be:
- Heartburn or chest pain
- Can’t gain weight
- Irritability during feeding
- Spitting up and vomiting frequently
- Difficulty swallowing
- Wet burps or hiccups
- Abnormal arching
- Sleep disturbance
- Frequent coughing
- Recurrent pneumonia
But in other cases, reflux can have more serious symptoms such as the following as listed in the Mayo Clinic:
- Isn’t gaining weight
- Consistently spits up forcefully, causing stomach contents to shoot out of his or her mouth (projectile vomiting)
- Spits up green or yellow fluid
- Spits up blood or a material that looks like coffee grounds
- Refuses food
- Has blood in his or her stool
- Has difficulty breathing or a chronic cough
- Begins spitting up at age 6 months or older
- Is unusually irritable after eating
For such cases, it’s best to see a doctor immediately.
How to Relieve Reflux In Babies?
1. Put them in an upright position during and after every feeding.
When I had my kid, the thing that worked best for us was keeping her in an upright position during and after feeding. I’ll carry her upright for at least 30 minutes. That allows enough time for the food to settle and stay in her stomach.
This is where a baby swing comes in handy (as well as a baby carrier). Especially if you have many kids, you are working from home, or you just don’t have enough time to hold the baby for that long.
2. Feed by demand.
I remember hiring this nurse to help me figure out the essentials in taking care of a baby in 3 days.
She’s been a nurse for 20 years by the way so I didn’t really question her methods, especially when she would gently force my child to drink at least 90mL of milk every feeding. She said she does that so she’d sleep longer and that at her time as a nurse, they had to take care of several babies at the same time so she had to be efficient in taking care of all the babies under her care.
Now that I know what I know now, I wanted to slap her and myself as well.
I thought I prepared myself enough to take care of my baby but apparently not. I wished I knew better then and I wished I didn’t let her force my baby to take up more milk.
She was quite gentle with it though, she would just slightly move around the bottle in my baby’s mouth but still, I wished I didn’t let her do that.
My baby did occasionally spit-up but I could count on 2 hands the number of times she did that so I think it wasn’t so bad.
But I digress.
So just feed the amount that your baby needs. Don’t force them to take more, especially if they have more reflux episodes.
It’s actually better for them to feed small amounts frequently, so they can better digest the food, preventing reflux episodes.
3. Burp your baby regularly.
Take the time to burp your baby. Mine took at least 10 minutes of different burping techniques but I always make sure to hear that satisfying burping sound then keeping her upright, to avoid reflux.
4. Avoid tight clothing/ diapers.
It can put an added pressure on your baby’s tummy, making them uncomfortable.
Related Article: How To Do Tummy Time for Babies with Reflux
6. Avoid dairy and other allergens.
If you’re breastfeeding, try to cut out dairy from your diet. Dairy can aggravate your baby’s reflux by irritating their undeveloped digestive system.
Try to also avoid common allergens such as gluten, citrus, coffee, wheat, nugs, soy and eggs.
7. Use special bassinets
Bassinets for reflux babies can go an inclined position, making it more comfortable for babies to sleep at night.
Do Baby Swings Actually Help with Reflux?
Yes! Of course they’re not a cure for reflux but they do help in minimizing the chances of it by keeping your baby in an upright position.
Its inclined position prevents stomach contents from getting back up to the food pipe, which can prevent reflux episodes.
A baby swing can also keep your baby at an upright angle without you having to hold them for longer periods of time.
This is helpful especially for parents who need to work while taking care of their baby or have many kids or when you just don’t have the time nor the energy to keep them upright after every feeding.
The constant movement and sounds from a baby swing can also keep your little ones happy and distracted from their reflux episodes.
But take note that baby swings are only meant for supervised naps.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) actually warns against letting babies sleep in baby swings and recommends transferring them to a firm sleeping surface as soon as they sleep.
I say just use your better judgement and think of what’s the best for your baby when using a baby swing.
What To Look For in a Baby Swing For Reflux
Here are some features to consider and to look out for when choosing the best baby swing for babies with reflux:
Safety
How safe is it for your baby to stay in it and probably nap in?
They must not be placed in a curled shape that can possibly block their airways. Their legs also shouldn’t be pushing against their chest, which can compress their stomach, worsening their reflux. It also must have a comfortable harness to secure them in.
Is it stable, does it wobble or horrors, tip over when swinging? If possible, test it out first with an object that has heavy as your baby, before actually puting in your little one.
Look at the baby swing’s baby weight capacity as well. Can it also hold an older baby, preferably one that’s not so active yet and can stay in the baby swing?
They also must meet the current safety recommendations set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Adjustable Seat
Look for a baby swing that has a suitable inclined position for newborns and older babies. That will help with their reflux episodes.
An inclined position is great but if you can adjust that to a more reclined one for napping, that would be better.
Comfort
Is there enough head and spine support for your baby? How does the material feel – soft and plush or rough and hot? Is the seating space big enough to hold an older baby?
Consider the padding, seating area and infant insert also when looking at baby swings, if they’re comfortable enough for your baby.
Calming Features
Varied swinging motions and level speeds, vibration modes, soothing music, and calming sounds can do wonders in pacifying a fussy baby, especially one that has reflux.
One that comes with a timer for swinging/ playing music can be convenient to use so consider those as well, especially if you prefer something that automatically turns off on its own.
Power Source
Battery-operated baby swings can be costly so it’s recommended to get one that plugs-in or better yet, a baby swing that can be both plugin or can be battery operated.
Entertainment
A baby swing that comes with mobile toys and mirrors and fun music can keep your baby distracted and happy. Look for something with a rotating mobile head and mirrors, as that can help with their visual tracking development.
2-in-One
Consider getting a baby swing that can turn into a baby rocker as well, for extra fun and more entertainment for your kid.
Easy to Clean
Look for removable seat covers that are machine-washable. This is a must-have, convenient feature, especially if your baby frequent spit-ups, vomits or worse, does a diaper blowout.
Design
Is it easy to assemble? Is it possible to move it from one room to another? This will be convenient, especially if you need to keep your baby with you while doing chores or working in another room.
How light or heavy is it for moving and carrying? Something that can be easily folded for travel or for storage is certainly better.
How big is it and do you have enough space in your house for it, especially when it’s swinging from front to back?
Do you solely want a baby swing or do you prefer something that can also turn into a baby rocker or bouncer?
Price
Basic baby swings can come at $50 – $100 but if you want extra features like Bluetooth enabled, multi-direction swinging motion, and such, you’re likely to pay a bit more. So try to think about your budget and what your baby really needs.
It depends on your priorities but ideally, the best baby swing for reflux offers all the basic swing essentials plus added features such as vibrating mode, stable yet portable, ability to convert Into a bouncer and more.
Pros and Cons of Baby Swings
Pros
- The most obvious advantage is it can minimize reflux episodes for your baby by keeping them in an inclined or slightly upright position.
- It can calm a fussy baby, even one without reflux, with it’s soothing swinging motions, music and vibrations.
- It can also free up your hands by entertaining and distracting your baby in it, enough for you to work, do chores, take care of your other kids and such.
- A baby swing that comes with mobile toys and a mirror can help develop your baby’s visual tracking skills.
Cons
- It can be quite pricey, especially if you can only use it for a few months.
- It can take up a lot of space in your home and that can be a nuisance especially if you have limited space.
- Your kid might get used to sleeping on it, making it hard for them to settle at night in a flat, firmer bed.
- It can consume a lot of power, increasing your electricity bills or you might have to buy a lot of batteries.
How To Use a Swing For a Reflux Baby
Keep in mind these tips if this is your first time to use a swing for your reflux baby:
- Start with short sessions.
Ease your baby into using a swing by letting them stay there for only a few minutes. Then gradually let them stay longer if you see that they’re getting quite comfortable with it.
- Don’t force it
If you can see that they’re starting to get fussy, don’t let them stay for a little bit more. Take them out of the swing and try again tomorrow.
- Make them hold a toy
Or their lovey, their teether or anything that they can get distracted with.
- Stay close
Always supervise them. You never know if they will suddenly spit up or vomit while they’re in the baby swing. If you need to do a quick chore in another room, use a baby monitor to check up on your baby.
Baby Swing vs Baby Rockers vs Baby Bouncers: What’s the Difference?
A baby swing is powered mechanically. It can swing on its own and comes with other features such as vibrations, sounds, or toys. It can occupy a lot of space, especially when in swinging motion.
A baby rocker can be battery operated or can be rocked manually. It’s also smaller and takes less space, compared to a swing. It can come with a vibration mode, which can be great for entertaining babies.
A baby bouncer is powered by a baby’s movement or when you nudge it with your hands. They are also easy to store and carry. There are some that come with a vibration mode.
Check out here a more comprehensive and detailed review on the differences between a baby swing vs baby rocker vs baby bouncer.
Best Baby Swing for Reflux: Takeaway
Reflux is quite a common condition, even in the healthiest of babies. It will usually go away on its own once your baby’s digestive system has fully matured.
The best baby swings for reflux can help your little ones from experiencing reflux episodes by keeping them upright.
It can also be a timesaver for parents with multiple kids, who has to work at home or has to do chores, and can’t hold the baby for a longer period of time.
Just remember to always supervise your baby when they’re napping on the baby. Be vigilant about faulty parts as well, especially when it concerns the stability of the baby swing.
For more serious reflux symptoms, we highly advise that you visit the doctor immediately.
If you like this article, then check out my guide on the:
- 4moms Rockaroo vs Mamaroo
- Bouncer vs Rocker vs Swing
- My Baby Won’t Stop Crying: 19 Things to Check For
