The Best Baby Swings: A Look Back in History

For new parents, the best baby swings are a must-have for consoling their fussy babies and (just as importantly) giving their tired arms a break. 

But the baby swings that burst onto the scene in the 1950s share very little resemblance to today’s state-of-the-art electric baby swings like the MamaRoo® Multi-Motion Baby Swing®.

Some of the best swings for babies years ago were quite basic: a seat was suspended from a bar on a simple stand and was powered by a manual crank that parents had to wind by hand. Winding the crank was noisy and slow, the swing made a loud ticking sound as it swung back and forth, and it quickly wound down and had to be cranked again. 

With the introduction of the battery-powered and electric baby swing, this important piece of childcare gear improved dramatically. Today, the best swing for baby operates quietly, and can rock little ones without their caregiver having to wind a crank. 

 

What Are the Benefits of an Electric Baby Swing? 

After nine months of being jiggled and jostled in their mom’s belly, most babies enjoy the sensation of being in constant motion. Because today’s electric baby swings mimic the familiar sense of motion from the womb, the best electric baby swings will make your baby feel safe and comforted even when they’re not being held by you. 


The right electric baby swing can comfort and entertain your baby. It’ll provide them with a happy place beyond your arms for the first few months of their life. When shopping for an electric baby swing, consider these 5 features that deliver the greatest function:

 

Customizable Speeds and Motion

Choose an electric swing for baby that provides a range of motion and speeds that can be customized to move like you do, like the MamaRoo® Multi-Motion Baby Swing®, which has five motions and five speeds for a total of 25 different combinations. 

 

Built-In Sounds

White noise is almost magical in its ability to calm and comfort a fussy baby. That’s why the MamaRoo electric baby swing is equipped with four engaging sounds. 

 

Smart Features

A Bluetooth-enabled electric infant swing allows you to control motion and sound right from your phone or smart device.

 

Easy-To-Clean

There’s one thing you can count on with a baby: there will be messes. Choose from electric baby swings that offer easy-to-remove, machine washable fabrics to make cleaning up those messes a little easier.

 

Mobile

An electric baby swing with a built-in mobile will keep your baby happy and entertained. The MamaRoo’s included toy bar has removable toys that are interactive. 

Babies need different motions to be comforted. The one-size-fits-all approach to movement that other electric baby swings offered failed to comfort a lot of babies. That’s why 4moms® created the MamaRoo® Multi-Motion Baby Swing®…and it is a game-changer for new parents! With the MamaRoo, parents can put their baby in an electric baby swing and set it to move like they do, with options to customize the speed and motion to find the just-right combination to comfort their baby. The MamaRoo's five unique motions were inspired by real parents; we used sensor vests to track the movements and rhythms parents use when they comfort their babies.


Today, the MamaRoo® Multi-Motion Baby Swing® is a top registry item, and has consistently been named the best electric baby swing on the top gear lists of the most trusted names in the industry. To meet the needs of parents who were short on space but still wanted a swing they could customize for their baby, 4moms also offers the RockaRoo® Baby Rocker, an option that provides a front-to-back gliding motion in a compact size.

 

When—and Why—to Use an Electric Baby Swing

Is your baby a little fussy? Do you need a shower? A bite to eat? A break from rocking your little one in your arms? A place to put your baby down where you know they’ll be content and happy – and safe? The best electric baby swing meets all these needs and provides so many more benefits for you and your baby.


Typically, you can start using an electric baby swing as soon as you bring your baby home and, depending on the manufacturers’ recommendations, can use the swing until your baby reaches about 25 pounds. 

 

Regardless of age, the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP), says babies should always be strapped in snuggly with the provided straps whenever you use an electric baby swing and you should never let your baby sleep in the swing or leave them unattended.  

 

What you can—and should!—do is move your electric swing for baby from room to room so your little one can be a part of the family’s action from day one. The electric baby swing will soon become your baby’s favorite place where they happily sway the day away.

 

 

More Practical Tips for Using Your Electric Baby Swing

While the best swing for baby can be a wonderful tool for entertaining your little one, it's important not to over rely on it. The AAP recommends using an electric baby swing in moderation. Therefore, limit sessions to around 30 minutes at a time. Pay attention to your baby's cues and don't let them stay in the swing for too long.

 

Choosing the Best Baby Swing for Your Family's Lifestyle 

When searching for the best electric baby swing for your needs, consider your own living situation. Full-size swings like the MamaRoo® Multi-Motion Baby Swing® offer a wide range of motions and require a little more floor space. If you're tight on room, a compact model like the RockaRoo® Baby Rocker could be an ideal electric swing for baby.

 

The Best Choice for You and Your Baby

You want a product that will help your baby feel relaxed and safe, and is customizable to the newest member of your family. That's why the MamaRoo® Multi-Motion Baby Swing® and the RockaRoo® Baby Rocker are the best baby swings for your newborn!

The right electric infant swing can give your arms a rest and keep your newborn happy and content during the first few months of life—and the MamaRoo® Multi-Motion Baby Swing ®was designed to offer all of the features you and your baby need in a swing. From a variety of movements and speeds, to built-in sounds, to seamless control from the 4moms app (available on Android and iOS), it offers everything you need in one beautifully designed piece of baby gear. Check out 4moms full line of innovative, state-of-the-art electric baby swings here.