GracoDuetSoothe Swing and Rocker

**Update** (5 years later)Going to be using this for my second kid, had in storage and still looks like new. I had the liner separate with baby clothes and just washed it, looks perfect. All the parts still work and swings just like it did for my first born! So excited it's held up and can get more usage from it!_______________________________I am a new mom, however, first of my friends to start having children. My friends that are now pregnant have been asking me, "What were the top lifesaver items you bought to get you through the first year?".This my friends, is one of the TOP purchases. I love my Graco DuetSoothe Swing + Rocker, Winslet. We have used this swing when baby was irritable and just wanted to be rocked to sleep, when baby had a cold, and just for a nap during the day so that my hands could be free to do some chores!The main reasons why I love this swing, and why I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it:1) It plugs into the wall. Seriously, no more batteries to operate swings!! This has been so helpful during the nights when he needed CONSTANT movement to sleep. (Batteries still needed to power vibrating option on chair)2) I love the swing seat. It has a nice, comfortable bucket style that cocoons the little one in safely. I have friends that bought the Fisher-Price Snugabunny Cradle 'N Swing (With Smart Swing Technology). Nice swing, but comparing the two seats... The seat is just not as nice, it's at a downward angle and the child doesn't look comfortable or as safe as in the Graco - even with the harness strapped on.3) Easy to wash. We have had many, many explosions (need I say more?) in the swing. Little man was happy as a clam, meanwhile the seat looked pretty bad. We just took off the infant liner and threw it in the wash (added a little baking soda)- looks great. The main lining on the swing is a little more complicated to remove, especially when soiled, because you have to turn it upside-down. Suggestion- use a towel underneath!4) Has easy turn axle to alternate swinging side-to-side and front and back. Our baby doesn't really have a preference, but I have heard stories from my patients in the hospital that they bought a nice swing and the baby didn't like the direction. They had to then go out and buy a whole new swing. That dilemma can be completely avoided with this swing!5) The seat can detach and become a rocking vibrating chair. This was helpful when we had our little guy right out of the hospital, we were honestly in the middle of MOVING and only had a few baby items. This was great because it doubled as a bouncing chair and swing all in one. Less to movewith and easy take on and off- you can do it with one hand.Things that don't really matter:1) It can play music/soft noises (ocean, birds, etc.)2. It has little bears for little man to look at. They don't move and when he was little, he didn't seem to care. I now tie little toys to them to extend the toys so he can play with them.In summary, I highly recommend this swing. It is incredibly soft, comfortable, safe and durable. He loves his swing for naps during the day or if I need a safe place to put him while I take a shower. If I were Oprah, I'd have a giveaway of my favorite things with this at the top of the list. I hope this review was helpful to you in your decision!

Background: Baby is at 99% for height and weight, and grandpa wanted a swing (and tub, and bottles, and crib, and...) kept here so I can babysit as often as I get the chance. Thus I wanted a well-respected rocker/swing for what might become a pretty big infant. This one is rated for 30lbs and seems well loved by parents.Pro's:1) It's his kryptonite. He can't stay awake in it if I sit by him, kick on the rain or the heartbeat background sounds, and set the swing on #2.2) I really like the removable rocker. It's simply way convenient.3) Shut it all off and he's at a great height for talking with or playing with while I'm in a kitchen chair.Cons:1) It's kinda heavy. I don't care, but grandma is not grooving on the weight. And the rocker with junior in it is closing in on too heavy.2) 34" wide at the base (front)? Are you kidding me? And disassembly means screwing with the wiring disconnects? (which are poorly thought out, but a non-issue for a one-time assembly. Just carefully tuck in the excess before assembling. You'll see what I mean when you get there).Since the unit makes no pretense of being portable is there some compelling reason Graco didn't just make the width adjustable? Or narrow it a bit and weight the base? Or....?If you narrow the front base bar by 2.75" by cutting the front cross leg and re-drill the interconnect holes it fits through larger doors with only a mild wiggle of the base. The little plastic front bar connector is slightly off-center, but that's cosmetic. Nobody in the family has every noticed, and it's plenty stable.Updated after 6 years:3 babies later and this thing is all of their kryptonite. "Take him/her to grandpas house" seems to get muttered a lot when infants aren't sleeping well and mom wants to sleep. Thoughts:1) Thank goodness for the AC adapter.2) Are some of you reviewers trying to send your kids into orbit? How fast are you going? You're trying to mimic moms natural movement, not a carnival ride. Unless there are blankets dragging on the ground I've never even been close to full power/speed. And these kids are 90% plus in height and weight.3) We use the removable swing more than expected. It's great to pull the rocker out and set baby by the dinner table.4) It's super stable fore to aft, and the swing rotates as you want, so no reason to not have the base facing the most table direction.5) I run rechargable hi-capacity batteries in the vibrating base. Not that I use it much, but once in a while, say a sick baby cranky baby, it's helpful.6) The reclinable seat has been nice too. Up for baby to look around, down for sleeping.We're at 5 3/4 grandkids now, and I've still to see a sleeper/swing that kids fall asleep in as well. (don't let them sleep over-night in one, or even for extended periods).