One of the most challenging phases in a mother’s life is taking care of her newborn baby. Reflux and colic are common issues in babies that make taking care of the baby harder for moms. Sometimes, moms can’t even recognize the fact that their babies are suffering from reflux and colic.
However, you shouldn’t fret about risking your baby any further to reflux or colic. The safest way to solve this problem is by getting a baby swing. A baby swing is handy and will treat your baby’s reflux. Here, we have reviewed the best baby swing for colic and reflux that you should consider buying.
Table of Contents
Why Does Your Baby Need a Swing?
One of the causes of reflux in babies is their lying or sleeping position. If the baby is lying in the wrong position, the risk of having reflux is high. Once the baby develops reflux and colic, he/she starts to cry and may spit whatever food is eaten.
Another possible cause is their immature sphincters. This causes digested food and acids to flow back to the esophagus conveniently. A baby may have this problem until he/she gets to the age of 18 months.
A baby swing will be of immense help to the baby to prevent this reflux and calm the baby down. The swing’s rhythmic motion will replicate the mother’s womb’s environment, and once the baby notices this swinging motion, the baby will feel secure, safe, and calm as if in the mom’s tummy.
You could opt to swing your baby in your arms, but this will take hours, and you will definitely feel exhausted. A baby swing is better and more efficient. Plus, you will have ample time for yourself to do other demanding tasks.
However, you shouldn’t allow your baby to fall asleep for a long time in the swing. The baby can only catch a quick nap during the day under your supervision. You will have to move them to their sleeping abode. Avoid lying the baby in a flat position. Lie them on their backs instead with their heads in a slightly upright position.
| PRODUCT | POWER SOURCE | SPEED SETTINGS | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher-Price Snugabunny Cradle ‘n’ Swing | Dual (Plug-in & Battery) | 6 | 4.6/5 | CHECK PRICE |
| 4moms Mamaroo 4 Baby Swing | Single (Plug-in) | 5 | 4.6/5 | CHECK PRICE |
| Graco Duet Soothe Swing and Rocker | Dual (Plug-in & Battery) | 6 | 4.4/5 | CHECK PRICE |
| Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing | Dual (Plug-in & Battery) | 6 | 4.3/5 | CHECK PRICE |
| Ingenuity ConvertMe | Single (Battery) | 5 | 4.2/5 | CHECK PRICE |
| WBPINE Baby Cradle | Dual (Battery & AC Power) | 3 | 4.0/5 | CHECK PRICE |
| Primo 2-in-1 Infant Swing | Dual (Battery & AC Power) | 8 | 4.1/5 | CHECK PRICE |
Best Baby Swing for Colic and Reflux Buying Guide
When buying a baby swing, you should have a few things at the back of your mind. Though all the swings reviewed here are excellent for babies, you must know what you should look out for in a baby swing before spending those bucks.
Five-point Harness Safety
A five-point harness secures the baby in a proper position and prevents the baby from falling out. Without the five-point harness, your baby can fall out of the swing at any time.
If you can’t opt for baby swings with five-point harness safety, others come with three-point harness safety. Five-point harness safety is better, but the three-point will equally work fine.
Comfortable Seat
A seat that’s soft and comfortable will keep your baby calm, relaxed, and happy in the swing. Since your baby will be spending some quality time in the swing, you must choose a swing with a comfortable seat.
Also, the spine and necks of newborn babies are weak. Therefore, it’s imperative that you find a baby swing that comes with a padded seat and headrest to support the neck and spine.
Adjustable Seat Position
It would be best if you considered buying a swing with an adjustable seat in the upright position. Remember, one of the causes of reflux in babies is their wrong lying or sleeping position. Doctors recommend that babies with reflux and colic stay slightly in the upright position. So you must buy a swing that has a little bit of inclination.
Thankfully, baby swings like mamaRoo and the Fisher-Price Snugabunny Cradle ‘n’ Swing have provisions for that. You can adjust the seat to a reclining or inclining position.
Ease of Cleaning
Babies with reflux and colic may spit up more frequently than they usually do. This is a pretty common issue. That is why you need to consider buying swings that have washable covers. Getting one that is machine washable is a plus.
Swinging Motion
Baby swings are set at different speeds and motions to enable the baby to enjoy every moment in the swing and forget about having reflux. You can set the pace from very low to very high. Because of the swing’s adjustability, your baby can choose which speed he/she is comfortable.
Power Source
Do you want a swing that runs exclusively on batteries, plug-in power, or a combination of both? To choose the right power source, you have to consider what you want. Do you want the swing to be restricted to a particular spot, or would you like a portable swing that you can take anywhere?
Baby swings that run on batteries are very portable. However, it means that you have to keep on changing the batteries occasionally, which is costly in the long run.
Plug-in-powered baby swings or baby swings that operate on an AC adapter are cost-effective as you do not need to change the batteries as you will do in battery-operated baby swings. However, they lack portability. You can only operate them in places where there is access to AC power sockets.
There are baby swings with dual power sources, so you can either choose to use batteries or the AC power socket. In places that have no access to power sockets, you can choose to use batteries instead. This is not only incredible but handy.
Weight
Baby swings have a different weight range. Some swings are best suited for bigger babies, while others will work quite great for smaller babies. Considering your baby’s age is vital in this aspect as it will help you determine the right baby swing.
For instance, if you plan for your baby to use the swing for more than 20 months of age, the weight range should be between 25-30 lbs.
Additional Features
There are some features in a baby swing that aren’t primary but can be a plus in keeping your baby entertained. For instance, baby swings with music options, vibration, sensory objects, and toy bars are additional features that will make the baby want to stay in the swing a little longer.
Vibration is a great way of making the baby forget about the pain. However, this feature is usually absent in a baby swing. You can only find it in the baby swing and rocker combo. So if you want this feature, you will need a baby swing rocker.
Budget
All baby swings come at different price tags. Usually, the most expensive baby swings come with dual power sources and additional features like vibration, toys, music/mp3 plug-in features, etc.
If you want a baby swing with basic and necessary features, you will likely spend less than $100 to get it.
Top 7 Best Baby Swing for Colic and Reflux
1. Fisher-Price Snugabunny Cradle ‘n’ Swing – Best Overall
The Fisher-Price Snugabunny Cradle ‘n’ Swing is one of the most popular and the best baby swings for reflux and colic. This baby swing comes with two swinging motions – side-to-side and head-to-toe to that will keep your baby cozy and soothe him to keep his reflux under control.
You can adjust the seat position of this baby swing in five diverse ways – recline, left, right, upright, and center. The headrest is also soothing, making it one of the most comfortable baby swings in the market.
You can also adjust the speed settings from the available six-speed settings to suit your baby’s choice to maximize his fun. You can change the speed settings from low to high. One thing we like about the Fisher-Price Snugabunny Cradle is its intelligent smart technology that automatically senses the weight of the baby and adjusts the speed accordingly for optimal satisfaction.
And to further entertain your baby, you can select a baby song from the available playlist.
You have the option of powering the swing using either batteries or an AC power socket. This promotes both convenience and portability.
The swing comes with additional accessories like floating toys and mirrors to keep the baby busy. The seat cover is machine washable, making it safe to clean.
Pros
- The seat cover is machine washable
- Dual power options – batteries and plug-in
- Intelligent smart technology
- Adjustable speed settings
- Two swinging motions and reclining seat
- Comfortable seats and headrest
Cons
- The clicking noise can be disturbing when in motion.
- It’s a little too big.
Verdict
Fisher-Price Snugabunny Cradle ‘n’ Swing is the ideal babysitter that you need to keep your baby’s reflux and colic at bay. It comes with all the features that you require in a baby swing.
The soothing tunes, varying swing speed, and dual power source are features that will provide optimal comfort for the baby, despite its clicking noise.
2. 4moms mamaRoo 4 Baby Swing – Best for Compactness
This baby swing is one swing that comes with advanced features that are lacking in most baby swings. One of the things we like about the 4moms mamaRoo 4 Baby Swing is its limitless reclining positions. With this, your baby is at a greater advantage of keeping his/her reflux and colic under control.
Apart from that, the baby swing comes with a wide -range of swing motions that. It offers five different swing motions that can be adjusted at five different speed levels.
The design is compact, which makes it ideal for small spaces.
Talking about the seat, it’s soft, and with the limitless reclining positions, your baby will find the right angle to meet his comfort level. Plus, there are overhead toys and a music system that will keep your baby engaged. The music system comes with an mp3 plug-in so that you can play any music of your choice. No room for reflux and colic!
Another incredible feature in the 4moms mamaRoo baby swing is the Bluetooth functionality. The swing is Bluetooth-enabled, which means you can control the baby swing with any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone.
Unfortunately, the baby swing doesn’t come with a dual power source. However, it comes with an AC adapter, which is cost-effective in the long run.
Pros
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Limitless reclining positions
- Five adjustable speed levels
- AC adapter for energy efficiency
- Five different swing positions
- Compact design
Cons
- It’s pricey
- Comes with limited sound.
Verdict
Despite being one of the most expensive baby swings in this article, users love its limitless reclining positions, washable covers, plug-in power, and compact design. The addition of Bluetooth technology is also a plus, which gives users more control.
3. Graco Duet Soothe Swing and Rocker – Best for Design
If you are looking for a versatile swing that you can convert into a rocker, the Graco Duet Soothe Swing is the right choice for you.
Graco is one of the best manufacturers of baby swings. They are trusted by parents to continue to provide excellent and comfortable baby swing.
The swing is easy to assemble and will provide that extra soothing for your baby. Plus, the seat is extra soft to enhance the comfort of your baby. Since it can be used as a rocker, your baby will find it easy to stay calm.
Its handle is ergonomic and easy to maneuver, making the swing’s movement more effortless.
The swing comes with six different adjustable speed settings, with three-seat reclining positions. You can move the swing front, back, and sideways. There is also the five-point harness safety that secures your baby from falling out of the swing.
As regards entertainment, the swing comes with toys and some music to keep your baby engaged.
Using the swing is convenient as you can choose to operate it with batteries or AC power.
Pros
- Dual power source
- Five-point harness
- Ergonomic handle
- Doubles as a swing and as a rocker
- Comfortable seats with three reclining positions
- Adjustable speed settings
Cons
- The large size is burdensome. You won’t be able to move the swing frequently.
- The creaking noise emanating from the swing can disturb the baby.
Verdict
Being a rocker is probably one of the best things users love about this swing. The 2-in-1 design is great for infants. It is safe for babies since it has a five-point harness.
The reclining positions, adjustable speed setting, and the toys and music are enough to keep the baby entertained. However, the large size may make movement challenging.
4. Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing – Best for Simplicity
This is another excellent product from Graco. The Graco Simple Sway swing is a simply designed swing that will help keep your baby calm and soothing the reflux problem.
It has a plush comfortable seat that’s easy to clean and machine washable. The swing offers a five-point harness, so your baby is secured while taking a nap.
The swing only moves in a side-to-side direction and can be adjusted at six different speed levels according to your baby’s choice. There are three overhead toys and a music system preloaded with 15 songs and sounds to keep the baby engaged for entertainment purposes.
Graco Simple Sway can be powered via batteries and AC power system, which is awesome. It not only promotes convenience but comes in handy.
Pros
- Comfortable seats
- Five-point harness
- Minimalistic design
- Six-speed settings
- Dual power options
- The seats are machine washable.
Cons
- The swing can only move in one direction, i.e., side-to-side.
- Music shuts down after an hour.
Verdict
The Graco Simple Sway baby swing is a budget-friendly swing with a simple design that can solve your baby’s reflux issues. With its five-point harness, you won’t have to worry about the safety of your baby.
Read Also: 6 Best Baby Swing for Small Spaces & Compact Rooms
5. Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat Portable Swing – Best for Portability
This baby swing from Ingenuity is impeccable for babies suffering from reflux and colic. Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat is one of the most portable baby swings in the market. You can easily transport it without any hassle.
Plus, it comes in a foldable and convertible design, so you can conveniently turn the swing into a baby seat. That also makes it so much easier to store.
The baby swing has a removable headrest that helps the baby to relax. The seat is comfortable. Plus, it contains a five-point harness, which maximizes the comfort and the safety of the baby.
This swing has five different speed levels you can choose from according to your baby’s choice. The swinging produces a near-silent sound, so your little one will fall asleep very easily.
There are a vibration feature and music system with eight songs, and three nature sounds to keep the baby engaged while attending to other tasks.
You can power the swing with batteries, and your baby can use the swing till he/she clocks nine months in age.
Pros
- Very portable
- Five-point harness
- Timer feature to save battery
- Five different speed levels
- Vibration feature
- Removable headrest
Cons
- The swing can’t move from side-to-side.
- It runs on batteries only, which doesn’t give the user a lot of power options.
Verdict
One of the best things users love about the Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat baby swing is its portability. Aside from that, it’s convenient and comes in a foldable and convertible design. It has a removable headrest to keep your baby calmer.
6. Primo 2-in-1 Infant Swing – Best for Innovative Features
Primo 2-in-1 Infant Swing is one of the best baby swings in the market based on innovative features. Though it’s quite pricey, this baby swing packs high tech features designed for the bay’s overall comfort and entertainment.
Let’s dive into its features. The baby swing is a perfect combo of high chair and swing. You can convert the Primo 2-in-1 from an infant swing to a high chair. So your baby can continue to use the swing up to 36 months.
You can adjust the chair to six different height levels. It has dishwasher-safe feeding trays, adjustable in three different positions, eight-speed settings, five reclining positions, and a footrest that you can adjust in three diverse positions.
One of the best features of this swing is its cry activation mode. As soon as your baby is distressed, the swing will automatically turn on to its lowest speed setting and plays music. This automatic music setting will keep your baby calm even when you are away.
The baby swing can be operated via batteries and an AC power outlet. That gives you a lot of power options in case one is unavailable.
Pros
- Dual power sources
- Cry activation mode
- Adjustable dishwasher-safe feeding trays
- Convertible
- Five reclining positions
- Adjustable footrest
Cons
- It’s expensive.
- The footrest is big.
Verdict
Users are in awe of Prino 2-in-1 Infant swing due to its innovative features, despite being costly. It’s a convertible swing that will keep your baby comfortable and entertained even in your absence.
7. WBPINE Baby Cradle Swing Bassinet – Best for Budget
WBPINE baby cradle swing bassinet is slightly different in design from the rest of the products reviewed here. It’s another simplistic, lightweight baby swing that will keep your baby comfortable and solve the issue of reflux and colic.
It has rubber pads underneath the legs and a mattress on a flat layer. It has a mosquito curtain to keep mosquitoes from hurting your little one.
The baby swing has a timer setting to control the three-speed settings available. This means that you can set the timer to turn off the set speed setting. This is a great feature for busy people and those who sometimes forget to turn the swing off.
For safety, the swing comes with a five-point harness to keep the baby secured. The belt doesn’t come with extra padding, but that shouldn’t really be a big issue.
It has an mp3 plug-in for entertainment purposes, which gives you access to play whatever music you like. Additionally, it has twelve in-built songs and sounds to keep your baby glued.
You can run the swing on batteries and AC power, which is incredible.
Pros
- Easy to fold
- Remote-controlled
- Mosquito curtain
- Three adjustable motion levels
- Dual power sources
- Portable and lightweight
Cons
- The swing doesn’t recline so that you will encounter a little bit of difficulty using it for your newborn baby.
- An adaptor isn’t included in the package.
Verdict
Budget-wise and portability-wise, this is one of the best baby swings out there. It comes with features that you won’t find in everyday baby swings. Customers appreciate the mosquito curtain feature that is an excellent addition. It will prove useful during the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between colic and reflux in babies?
A baby may have reflux if he/she repeatedly vomits, whereas a baby with colic cry often and screams in discomfort. Usually, a baby suffering from colic is rarely sick.
Can a baby have colic and silent reflux?
Colic and silent reflux share some similarities in that the baby may cry due to the discomfort he/she may be feeling. However, the difference lies in the time where it occurs. Colic usually happens in the evenings, whereas reflux may happen at any time, and the baby may cry throughout the day.
Why is reflux worse at night for babies?
Laying your baby flat on his/her back at night to sleep ( which is the best and safest way to sleep) tends to increase reflux symptoms. This makes the baby feel distressed and unable to sleep. The baby should be laid in an upright position to avoid reflux issues.
Is grunting a sign of reflux in babies?
A baby only grunts while trying to rest, so grunting isn’t a sign of reflux. Coughing, crying, and fussing are signs of reflux in babies.
At what age does the reflux peak in babies?
Reflux usually peak in babies when they are between the ages of four to six months. Most babies would have been completely relieved of all reflux symptoms by the time they get to a period of nine to twelve months.
Conclusion
It’s not surprising to see that your baby has developed reflux and colic, and it’s not an issue that should raise any alarm. Purchasing the best baby swing for colic and reflux from the products we reviewed is one top-notch solution calming your baby down.
However, if symptoms continue to persist, it would be best to seek medical assistance. Other than that, a baby swing should do the magic.