Fisher-Price Cradle ‘n Swing Review

Editor's rating:
9.2
Reviewed by Brankica Ivanova
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We like

3 recline positions of the cradle

12 in-built melodies and 2 nature sounds

Six different speed and 2 modes of swinging

AC adapter included in the package

Comfortable seat pad

Sturdy and durable design

We don’t like

Large footprint

Short battery life

Motor sometimes can be loud

How it works

Swings are definitely not on the list of must-have baby equipment and accessories but if you have a baby who is fussy and hard to please, swings can be a great tool for soothing the baby and getting him/her to sleep. Getting your baby into sleep is much easier with a swing because of the gentle movements produced by the swing so if you have problems with napping time now you do not have to go outside and take a ride in a car or rock the baby in the stroller until he/she goes to sleep. Swings are not boring for babies even when they are fully awake. They provide a comfy and safe seating area for the babies who are entertained by many interactive features that usually swings possess. Besides the entertainment, swings usually own certain features such as reflective mirrors, that promote the development of the baby such as visual stimulation and improve coordination. When choosing the type of swing you definitely would want to think about the budget and the space you have at home. Although not a necessity, it is a great asset for a baby who has colics, and for parents who have hard times to get their baby to sleep. Among the ones that are indeed popular and liked by parents, we decided to review the Cradle n’Swing, an excellent product of the reputable Fisher-Price.   

Product description

Product description

My little Snugabunny Cradle and Swing, a product of Fisher-Price is a nice and comfortable swing that at the same time serves as a cradle for a soothing experience. It is a piece of baby equipment that is pretty bulky with dimensions of 14.6 x 12.6 x 30.2 inches and weight of around 24.9 lbs. The little Snugabunny Cradle and Swing is operated by AC adapter or by four batteries. If you use batteries expect that the approximate time to use the swing is 3 hours, which is pretty short, so the best and less expensive way is to use an adapter. It is a solid swing for newborns and babies that features 16 integrated lullabies and 2 sound effects for entertainment and relaxation of the baby. You can choose between 6 different rates of speed, 3 positions for the baby in the cradle and 2 directions of swinging. While seated in the comfy seat pad with headrest and body support pillow the baby beside the music can be entertained by a mobile above the seat that contains three mobile toys and one bunny toy. The mobile spins and can be controlled by the control unit that is positioned on the motorized frame. Part of the mobile is a mirror which is positioned centrally so when the baby lies down can look at himself /herself. Babies are safe and sound to take a nap or just relax in the cradle due to the 5 point restraint system that keeps the babies secure.
Who is it for?

Who is it for?

This product is designed for newborns and babies with a weight limit of up to 25 pounds or approximately around 11 kg. When the babies start to try to get up or to climb over things it is also the right time to stop using the cradle. It would be an ideal gift for families who are in a need or search for a trustworthy and secure swing for their newborn or baby. Although many parents often ask themselves or are asked by other family members Is a swing necessary for the baby? and probably the answer to that question is negative, still, this product can be a real lifesaver for the parents and a safe and cozy place to put the baby to be entertained while you try to do some work nearby. It is indeed an item that is used for a short time but one that is durable and can be borrowed to other parents or re-sold as it is of excellent quality. However, one thing to have on mind is that because of its size, before you buy it you should make sure that you have enough room for keeping and storing the swing.
Assembly

Assembly

The product comes disassembled and in the package, you can find the instruction manual that describes the process of assembling of the swing. Customers usually claim that it took them around 30 minutes to do the assembly and that the process is not complex. The package includes the cradle’ n swing in parts and AC adapter. This item works on batteries too. It requires 4 D batteries that are not part of the package and you will have to purchase them additionally. In order to assemble it, you need an Allen wrench that is included in the package and a small screwdriver. The instructions are pretty straightforward and the majority of the customers say that it was fairly easy to assemble it. The parts are relatively large and it is hard not to assemble it right because the legs are designed to fit each other one way. If you would like to use the product with the battery then the battery compartment is placed on the bottom part of the motorized frame.
Design

Design

My Little Snugabunny Swing can be purchased in different colors out of which most are neutral colors like green, white and brown but you can also find it in pink. The item is gender-neutral baby equipment. The frames of the swing are made of quality steel and are in circular form. They add to the stability of the base. The seat is also attached to the base and supported by the frames and it features a comfy seat pad made of plush. The mobile for the baby is mounted on the motorized frame, which contains the buttons for managing of the swing: the power button, volume up and down buttons and the other ones are for all the additional features for entertainment. The only downfall in the design is probably the large base and that the swing is pretty big in size and bulky so you will need a spacious living room or any room where you plan to keep it. Because of its size, it is not really portable so it will be harder to move it from room to room. When and if you need to store it or put it away it folds easily so the folding should not be a problem at all. All the parts from the seat including the straps are machine washable which really helps the parents to take care of the product. For regular maintenance, it is enough to use a damp cloth and some mild soap.
Safety

Safety

Although we must admit that the footprint of the swing is pretty large, which means that you may need bigger and wider space for living at home, this at the same time means that the cradle is stable and well-balanced. This is significant as we are talking about a swing that rocks the baby and we want to be sure that the swing will not tip over. The frame of the swing is with incredible awesome design, almost in the U-shape form and there are four clutches made of rubber that also add to the safety feature as they keep the swing tight and stable. The large footprint or base together with the circular feet of the cradle provide additional stability and balance which means that the cradle is extremely sturdy and durable.
The frames of the swing, made of steel, also support the cradle or the seat area and the seat is pretty deep with three positions of seating. The safety is boosted with the harness system that very similar to the highchairs or the car seats has 5 points of restraint. The restraint systems feature one restraint pad, placed between the legs of the baby, two shoulder-belts and two waist-belts and you will know that the belts are fastened when you hear the sound of a click. The restraint system is also very practical because you can strap the baby and you will know that the baby is safely placed in the cradle, without having to worry that the baby might fall out when moving around.
Comfort

Comfort

Safety and comfort are two things that are always on the top of any list of criteria when purchasing baby equipment. Fisher-Price guarantees the comfort of the baby in this cradle, among other things, with the offered three reclining positions. So when you put down the baby in the cradle you can try out the three positions of the cradle (upright, vertical and recline), with a push of a button, and see which one is the most enjoyable for the baby at that particular moment. The comfort is enhanced with the two motions that can be adjusted of the swing: from one side to the other side motion for gentle soothing and rocking of the baby to sleep and from front to back for entertaining of the baby. The adjustable speed of the swing is also a sure way to provide the much-needed comfort for the baby. As mentioned there are six different modes of speed that vary in their intensity so from these six we are sure your baby will soon find his/her favorite. Some of the users claim that even the first speed, which is like the lowest, is very strong for the babies.
The seat is also designed for the delicate baby’s skin and to provide a pleasing and cozy place for the enjoyment of the baby. The fabric of the seat is a plush material and it is of excellent quality. On the seat for additional comfort, there is a pillow whose length is the size of the seat that means that it accommodates the baby from head to toes. The pillow has a design of a little bunny with big long ears, made for hugging and snuggling of the baby. The cradle has a really nice design that babies love and parents are also comfortable with leaving the baby in the cradle as the seat features straps that you can fit and secure the baby in the seat. Parents also love the cradle as all the soft fabrics like the cover for the seat, the pillow and the headrest with the ears of the bunny can be removed easily and put in a machine for washing. An additional feature is a canopy, which is very convenient in times when the baby needs shadow from the light and it is made of nice mesh material.
Entertainment

Entertainment

At the top of the swing, and above the seat area where the baby is laying down in the cradle, there is a whole entertainment system that will keep the baby entertained. The swing has a built-in mobile that also contains a mirror that is reflective. This mirror is positioned in the middle part of the mobile and it is a good position for the baby to see himself/herself and not only be entertained but can become aware of himself/herself too. The mobile also features some soft toys in form of birds and because the swing is powered by batteries or adapter, it rotates around the baby. Mobiles especially the ones with music are highly recommendable for newborns and babies because they help the babies to develop visual stimulation and promote skills for tracking.
The music and sound effects added to this swing are a real treat for the babies. The number of songs that are in-built is impressive and totals up to 16 songs-lullabies, which is really nice because if you use this swing you will definitely not like it if there is only one song that plays over and over again. In addition, there are 2 sound effects, which are sounds of birds and water. Music is always pleasant and babies love lullabies, they can put the baby in sleep or entertain the baby and there are two buttons for increasing the volume and lowering the volume when the babies are sleeping. One of the cons that are mentioned regarding the product is the noise that the swing’s motor generates but it comes as no surprise as it is a power-operated swing.

Bottom line

This swing is a versatile product that might not be a must-have product for the baby but is a product that offers an excellent way for the baby to be entertained, or asleep in a comfy rocking cradle. With the three options of a position of the cradle and two swinging modes with just a simple push of a button, it provides comfort, pleasure, and relaxation for the baby who can be entertained by his/her image reflective on the mirror of a spinning mobile. If you want to swing faster or slower you can choose between 6 speeds so we are sure you will find the right one. To complete the great swinging experience you can also choose between 12 melodies built in the system and 2 sounds from nature to relax the baby.
If you are interested in buying a swing, Fisher-Price My little Snugabunny can be a great choice for your baby.
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