How often do you use a swing? stoller? - Page 2

[AtThePark]

We never had a swing for ds and I never missed it. It's something I won't buy for this baby either.

I had a bouncy seat - but I also had a high needs baby so that collected dust! But they are good to have and Imight get one for #2 depending on his/her personality and my dh's travel schedule. Can't have him hold the baby while I shower/cook if he's not here LOL!

Anyway - I got a great, small stroller - I have this aversion to car seats that come out of the car (baby buckets) - so I went with a Graco Citilite stroller - and for the first 18 months of ds's life DH used it (he's not into babywearing) when he had to take DS somewhere and I'd use it when I had too much to carry or was having a touched out day. Once you babywear - you'll come to dislike strolling - it's just so much less fun! But not having one is limiting if you want to try on clothes and you need a place to put the lil one, or a place for bags when you have too much to carry - and as babies get bigger they get heavy, and with teeth and long nights, sometimes you're just too tired to sling on a long walk.

I found all those things -bouncy, swing, exersaucer etc last for such a short amount of time but if people are going to buy them for you anyway - then keep the receipts and wait and see.

[courtenay_e]

Everyone is going to have an opinion on this. My best advice is that if you think that you'll get everything you register for, go for both of them. PPs were right that every once in a while, a mommy needs some time in just her own skin. DD wouldn't sleep unless she was touching another human being. But DH and I found that, occaisionally, we could put her into the swing when she was sleepy and she'd DOZE contentedly while we showered, cuddled, or just peed without a slingin' baby. I am certainly not a proponent of leaving your kids to plastic soothers for large amounts of time, but sometimes momma needs five minutes, just five. And sometimes you have a child for whom the swing is IT.

As for the stroller...DH asked me when DD was about 8 weeks old why we never brought "that expensive stroller" that our friends got for us. I was a nanny before we had kids, and when I discovered the sling w/DD, I realized how cumbersome the stroller really is. I told him this, but he insisted we bring the stroller on the next shopping trip to the mall. I said fine, but he pushed. DD hated it and ended up in the sling anyway, and DH ended up getting stuck behind the "slow walkers" in the mall. Never insisted on it again! That said, there are times when a more substantial stroller is really useful. Trips to the zoo when DC is bigger...airports...CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! Small, but bigger than umbrella, strollers are good for the basket in the bottom or even the seat. They are good for long trips when mommy can't carry everything, something's gotta give, and it isn't gonna be baby! The big honkers are useless, but the ones big enough for the infant car seat CAN be useful. Especially when you have two, and the toddler is too big for the sling (and you already have an infant slung anyway) and too small to walk far. Now you have "stuff" for TWO dc and the storage in the stroller is all of a sudden useful. Sooo...if you think you'll get everything, I'd register for both of them. If not, I'd skip the highchair for now and register for the stroller and swing. Highchairs can be gotten later. You could theoretically use the swing and stroller (christmas shopping...) right away. Good luck in your choices!

[DBZ]

I use my swing about once a day, but not every day. I use the stroller about once a week...maybe. I mainly use it as a place to keep all my junk when we go somewhere that's not shopping. I don't like umbrella strollers. They don't look comfy. Normal strollers are better for babies who are taking a nap.

[Sharlla]

I'd say we used the swing daily for the first 3 months. This was the only way that I was able to get any kind of sleep. I never used the stroller. I had one but ended up getting rid of it.

[CherryBomb]

My daughter's physical therapist said we shouldn't use things like swings for more than 20 minutes at a time 2 or 3 times a day (she said this applies to babies that are developmentally "normal" too, and she said walkers and exasaucers should never be used).

I'd say that's the max we use the swing. Many days it doesn't get used at all.

[CherryBomb]

Oh, and we don't even have a stroller. We had one with dd1 and never used it, so we didn't bother this time.

[movingon]

This is definitely an individual baby thing.

My babies LOVED the swing for the first few months. I didn't buy either, and both are hand-me-downs from hand-me-downs. The bouncy seat annoyed my ds1. He wanted to be held or in the swing, or playing on the floor until he was cruising at 5 months. Then he wanted no part of the swing or bouncy seat... I expect that ds2 will follow right in ds1's footsteps with this, too.

The stroller... We got one because of dh's bad back, and knowing that when I give out from time to time, he won't be able to take him. But at this early age, dh still carries him instead. I'd get the ones that are a step up from an umbrella if I could go back and change things. I doubt we'll really use the stroller until he's old enough to support his own back, and quite a bit heavier, too.

I second the idea to keep receipts, check out what your baby likes and dislikes, if people do get you these things.

[liberal_chick]

We have all 3: a swing, a bouncy chair, and a travel system. Ds loves his swing and bouncy but is using them less often now that he enjoys playing on the floor. I really only use the travel system if ds is asleep in his car seat when we get to wherever we're going. If he's awake I put him in a sling. All 3 have definately been worth having for us.


M.

[threebabies]

I wear my baby several hours a day, but I definately see the need for a swing, stroller and vibrating chair. I keep the swing in the kitchen, because that's where I spend the most time. I carry the vibrating chair to the bathroom when i shower or wherever else I may need it. I admit I haven't used the stroller but once for my five week old dd, but I like having it. I used a stroller so much for my first two I can't imagine not having one. However, I wasn't a babywearer back then, so who knows...maybe I won't need a stroller after all. But I do recommend the swing and chair.

[massagemom]

do you have any mama friends that could let you borrow a swing, bouncy seat or even a stroller? that's what we did, and that way i didn't waste money on something ian didn't use. every baby is so different, and often times what you *think* you will do before the baby comes is different after they get here. if you don't have anyone to borrow from, go ahead and register for the items, and like the pp said just keep the receipts if you need to take them back.

[camprunner]

We didn't even have a stroller for the first year. Then she got so heavy that I did buy a nice lightweight stroller. We rarely used the swing. I didn't like how she always fell alseep in it. We did put her in the bouncy seat quite a bit. DD loved the sling but didn't like to be held in my arms so the bouncy seat was atleast a change of scenery for her.

[addiesmom]

Everyone is definately going to have a different opinion here, because all kids are different.....here goes mine....

Swing - DD loved it, it was a lifesaver for us the first couple months as she was extremely colicy and it was the only thing that stopped her crying at times. We haven't used it once with DS - go figure. My opinion is to find a friends to borrow or get one at a consignment shop.

Stroller - I agree that the travel systems are big and bulky. I got a "frame" stroller for the infant car seat - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=baby&n=542444. Neither DD or DS liked to be in it much - I usually put them in the sling as soon as we got to our destination, but it was handy to put things in the basket, and to have if I had to put the baby down for a moment (put on my jacket, try on clothes, whatever). When DD got bigger, I got something like this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=baby&n=542444 (couldn't find the one I actually got, but this is close). It is sooo nice not to have a huge stroller in the car taking up lots of room. Good luck!

[cancat]

One thing I have to say is that at the mall and many other places, they have strollers that you can use, so that you can carry loads of stuff and try on clothes. No need to bring yours from the car!

[slinginhipmama]

I had all three with ds#1, a swing, bouncy seat and travel system. I never used the swing, except once to take a picture, used the bouncy seat once as well and the travel system maybe 3 times.With ds#2 I only had a sling. I swear by my sling and can't go anywhere without it!! My opinion is, save the money and get a couple of slings, one for at home and one to keep in the car so you'll always have one on hand....

[ledzepplon]

You'll definietely want a sling. But I also recommend a stroller--if nothing else, you may use it when you're shopping to haul packages, or at places like the zoo to hold a diaper bag or backpack.

My dd almost never used her swing. I think this is an individual baby preference. The baby bouncy seat was used occassionally, and I did use an exersaucer when I took showers (when she was older). That's about it!

[ryleigh'smama]

I think that the vibrating bouncy seat was a big hit in the beginning because when dd had gas the vibrating really did help her to get it out. Also, I got to shower every day because I could put that seat right next to the shower and she would play quite happily for at least 10 minutes

The swing, we could have done without. As she got a little older, and even still (at 9 months) we will put her in it for maybe 5-10 minutes while fixing dinner and/or doing something we can't wear her during.

The travel system stroller...only used it a handful of times as a travel system. We used the carseat a lot, and now we occasionally use the stroller while shopping...but if I was gonna do it again, I would have just gotten a carseat, and a smaller stroller.

The thing I couldn't have lived without, and still use daily now: Moby Wrap. I can't say enough good things about it. I am sure that any kind of wrap would be great, but it was such a life saver for me as dd liked to be upright and CLOSE. She still does. As she has gotten older we have also used her sling a lot, it is great for quick trips and around the house.

Congratulations!

[Kristine233]

I had a swing with my 2 oldest kiddos and they loved it but it was so BIG *I* hated it. My youngest was my AP baby and I used a sling mostly but a wing was still a HUGE help as well. (mommy has to shower and pee sometime!) We went with the Fisher Price travel swing instead, its the size of a bouncy seat but swings. Super comfy, vibrates, small and portable. I've already given my sister thats expecting a Silk Zolo but I think we'll be splurging on a travel swing for her as well before the baby comes.

As far as strollers, I did have a double stroller but that was for my two older kiddos. (2 and 4 when my youngest was born.) They would sit in the stroller and I wore my DD. I really didnt find much use for it when the other two werent in it. It was just a PITA to haul around for such a tiny babe. We did use our umbrella stroller though once she got bigger. I kept it as a back up if it was goign to be an all day event. %90 of the time I wore her but the other %10 she was int eh umbrella stroller.

[alliei]

I rarely used a stroller in the beginning. I think it is most useful 6 months on if you like to jog, take long power walks. I liked having a jogger and a good umbrella (I live in the city).

As for a swing - seriously, it depends on the baby. Mine never really cared for his but I kept it to see if the next one likes it. I never had a bouncy seat so I don't know about that but I guess they are pretty interchangeable.

Allison

[Attached Mama]

My daughter hates her bouncy seat but loves her swing (she's almost 5 mos). For a while she would get to feeling over stimulated being held and the swing would calm her down and put her to sleep for a short nap. As for a stroller, we hardly ever use ours. One time we went for a walk with the dog and I ended up carrying her back home while the dog pulled the stroller. It's a light stroller and I just hooked his leash to it. He didn't mind a bit and the neighbors got a good laugh. I have to say for shopping trips the stroller is nice. You can't try on clothing while wearing a baby! Plus, even if you wear the baby for much of your shopping you need someplace to put your bags. I agree with the other moms who got one just a bit nicer than an umbrella stroller. Ours reclines too. Again tho -every baby is different so as someone else said - save the receipts or if you register just know what items came from where. Good luck!! Being a mom is so fun!