Review: Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing

About This Item

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is a compact yet feature-packed baby swing designed to soothe and comfort your little one with gentle side-to-side swaying motion. This versatile swing offers a perfect combination of comfort, functionality, and convenience, all in a space-saving design that fits easily in any room of your home.

With six adjustable swing speeds, two vibration settings, and 15 songs and sounds, the Simple Sway allows you to customize the experience to match your baby’s preferences. The deep, plush seat with additional head support provides a cozy and secure environment where your baby can relax, play, or nap while you attend to other tasks.

The swing features an engaging mobile with three soft toys that provide visual stimulation and entertainment, while the 5-point harness ensures your baby stays safe and secure. The Simple Sway’s dual power options allow you to use either batteries or a mains power adapter, giving you flexibility and convenience wherever you need it. The addition of a 2-speed vibration feature provides an extra soothing element that many babies find calming.

From newborns to babies up to 9 months old (or 30 pounds), the Graco Simple Sway offers reliable comfort and soothing motion that helps calm fussy babies and gives parents a much-needed break. Its thoughtful design and essential features make it an ideal addition to your baby care essentials.

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Product Details

Customer Ratings By Feature

Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing:

Gentle Side-to-Side Motion, 6 Swing Speeds, 2 Vibration Settings, 15 Songs & Sounds, Space-Saving Design

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Why Buy The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing?

Gentle Soothing Motion

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is designed with your baby’s comfort in mind, offering a gentle side-to-side swaying motion that mimics the natural movement babies experience when being held in your arms. This soothing motion helps calm fussy babies and can be particularly beneficial during those moments when your little one is having trouble settling down.

The swing features six different speed settings, allowing you to find the perfect pace that matches your baby’s preferences. Whether your baby prefers a slower, more subtle movement or a slightly faster swing, you can easily adjust the settings to suit their needs and mood. The control dial is conveniently positioned and easy to operate, even with one hand. This flexibility ensures that the swing remains effective as your baby grows and their preferences change.

Many parents find that the gentle swaying motion of the Simple Sway helps their babies fall asleep more easily, providing much-needed relief during those challenging early months when your baby is still developing their sleep patterns. The consistent, rhythmic motion creates a calming environment that can help soothe even the fussiest of babies.

Space-Saving Design

One of the standout features of the Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is its compact, space-saving design. Unlike many traditional baby swings that take up significant floor space, the Simple Sway has a smaller footprint without compromising on functionality or comfort.

The thoughtfully designed frame measures just 30″ (L) x 31″ (W) x 38″ (H) inches, making it an ideal choice for smaller homes, apartments, or any living space where maximizing room is important. This compact design allows you to keep your baby close by in any room of your house without the swing becoming an obstacle or eyesore.

Despite its space-efficient design, the Simple Sway doesn’t skimp on comfort or features. Your baby will still enjoy a full-sized, plush seat with proper head and body support, ensuring they remain comfortable and secure while the swing is in use. The smaller footprint simply means you get all the benefits of a full-featured baby swing without sacrificing valuable living space.

Versatile Power Options

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing offers the convenience of dual power options, giving you flexibility in how and where you use the swing. This versatility is a significant advantage over swings that rely solely on batteries or must always be plugged into a wall outlet.

You can power the swing using the included mains adapter, which plugs into any standard wall outlet. This option is perfect for regular use in a fixed location and saves you money on batteries in the long run. When using the mains power option, you’ll never have to worry about the swing losing power just when your baby has finally settled down.

Alternatively, the Simple Sway can be powered by batteries (requires 4 D/LR20 batteries, not included for the main swing function), which gives you the freedom to place the swing anywhere in your home, even in areas without easy access to a power outlet. This battery option is ideal for temporary setups or when you need to move the swing from room to room throughout the day to keep your baby close by as you tackle different household tasks.

It’s worth noting that the vibration feature requires separate batteries (2 D/LR20), regardless of whether you’re using the mains adapter for the swing function. This ensures that the soothing vibration is available even if you’re using the swing with the mains power option.

Multiple Comfort Features

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is equipped with multiple comfort features designed to keep your baby content and happy. The deep, plush seat provides a cozy environment where your baby can relax, play, or nap, while the additional head support ensures proper positioning for newborns and young infants.

One of the standout comfort features is the two-speed vibration setting, which adds another dimension of soothing sensation for your baby. The gentle vibration can be particularly effective for babies who need extra help to calm down or settle. You can use the vibration feature alone or in combination with the swinging motion for maximum soothing effect.

The seat is covered with soft, machine-washable fabric that feels gentle against your baby’s sensitive skin. The design provides excellent support while cradling your baby in a comfortable, slightly reclined position that’s ideal for relaxation. The plush padding ensures that your baby remains comfortable even during extended periods in the swing.

For parents, these comfort features translate to a happier baby and potentially more hands-free time to complete necessary tasks or simply take a well-deserved break. The multiple comfort options allow you to customize the swing experience based on your baby’s preferences, helping to extend the usefulness of the swing as your baby grows and their needs change.

Engaging Entertainment Features

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing comes equipped with a variety of entertainment features designed to engage and stimulate your baby’s developing senses. The removable toy bar includes three colourful, soft toys that dangle overhead, encouraging your baby to reach, bat, and grasp, which helps develop important motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

In addition to the visual stimulation provided by the toys, the Simple Sway offers 15 different songs and sounds to entertain and soothe your baby. These audio options include gentle lullabies, nature sounds, and white noise, giving you plenty of choices to find what works best for your little one. The volume is adjustable, allowing you to set it at a level that’s pleasant for both your baby and the rest of the household.

These entertainment features can be particularly valuable during awake periods when your baby is alert and looking for stimulation. The combination of visual and auditory elements helps keep your baby engaged and content, potentially extending the amount of time they’re happy to spend in the swing. This gives you more opportunities to complete tasks while keeping your baby safely entertained.

Safe & Secure Design

Safety is paramount when it comes to baby products, and the Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing incorporates several features to ensure your little one remains secure while enjoying the swing. The 5-point harness system—similar to what you’d find in high-quality car seats—provides comprehensive restraint across your baby’s shoulders, waist, and between the legs, preventing them from slipping out or repositioning themselves into an unsafe position.

The swing’s frame is constructed from durable metal, providing a stable base that supports the swinging motion without tipping or wobbling. The wide base design helps maintain stability even when your baby is active or moving around in the seat. This sturdy construction allows you to place the swing on various floor surfaces with confidence.

Another important safety feature is the automatic shut-off function, which turns the swing off after approximately 4 hours of continuous use. This not only helps conserve battery life but also serves as a safety feature to prevent overuse of the swing. The swing’s motor is designed to operate quietly and smoothly, with internal mechanisms safely enclosed away from curious little fingers.

Graco has built a strong reputation for safety in the baby product industry, and the Simple Sway adheres to all required safety standards and regulations. You can trust that the swing has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it provides a safe environment for your precious little one.

Easy Cleaning & Maintenance

As a parent, you’ll appreciate how the Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is designed with easy cleaning and maintenance in mind. Babies are notorious for making messes, whether it’s from spit-up, diaper leaks, or food spills once they start eating solids. The Simple Sway’s fabric components are designed to be easily removed and cleaned when those inevitable accidents happen.

The seat pad and harness covers are machine washable, allowing for thorough cleaning when needed. Graco recommends using a gentle cycle with mild detergent and avoiding bleach to maintain the fabric’s integrity and colors. This machine-washable feature is a significant time-saver compared to products that can only be spot cleaned.

For the frame and other non-fabric components, simple wipe-downs with a damp cloth and mild soap are all that’s needed to keep the swing looking clean and fresh. The plastic and metal parts are designed to resist staining and can be easily wiped clean of dust, fingerprints, and minor spills.

Regular maintenance of the Simple Sway is straightforward as well. Periodically checking and tightening any loose screws, ensuring the power adapter is functioning correctly, and replacing batteries as needed are the main maintenance tasks you’ll need to perform. The swing’s durable construction means it requires minimal upkeep while providing reliable performance day after day.

Provides Parents With Valuable Free Time

One of the most appreciated benefits of the Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is the valuable hands-free time it provides for parents and caregivers. Having a safe, comfortable place where your baby can be happily entertained allows you to attend to other important tasks or simply take a much-needed break.

Whether you need to prepare a meal, tackle household chores, care for other children, or just enjoy a hot cup of tea while it’s still warm, the Simple Sway gives you the freedom to do so while keeping your baby within sight. This ability to multitask without constantly holding your baby can significantly reduce stress and help you maintain a better balance in your daily routine.

Many parents report that their babies are content in the swing for 15-30 minutes at a time (or sometimes longer for particularly swing-loving babies), which provides meaningful windows of opportunity to accomplish tasks that require two hands. This is particularly valuable during the newborn and early infant stages when babies often prefer to be held constantly while awake.

It’s important to note that while the swing provides excellent hands-free time, it should always be used with proper supervision, and babies should not be left to sleep in the swing overnight or for extended periods. Used appropriately, the Simple Sway becomes an invaluable tool in your parenting arsenal, helping you maintain your sanity during those demanding early months of parenthood.

Timer Function For Energy Efficiency

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing includes a thoughtful auto-shutoff feature that automatically turns the swing off after approximately 4 hours of continuous use. This timer function serves multiple practical purposes that enhance both the user experience and the longevity of the product.

From an energy efficiency standpoint, the auto-shutoff prevents unnecessary power consumption once your baby has fallen asleep or been removed from the swing. This is particularly valuable when running on battery power, as it helps extend battery life and reduces the frequency of battery replacements. Even when using the mains adapter, the timer function can help reduce electricity usage and associated costs.

The auto-shutoff also acts as a safety feature, ensuring that the swing doesn’t continue operating indefinitely without supervision. This gives you peace of mind knowing that the swing will turn itself off after a reasonable period, even if you forget to manually switch it off after removing your baby.

For parents who may be concerned about the swing shutting off while their baby is still enjoying it, the 4-hour duration is generous enough to cover most usage scenarios. Should you need the swing to continue operating beyond this time frame, simply turning it off and back on again will reset the timer for another 4-hour cycle.

Attractive Design Options

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing comes in a variety of attractive colour schemes and patterns to complement your home décor and personal style preferences. Whether you prefer neutral tones that blend seamlessly with your existing furniture or brighter colors that create a cheerful nursery atmosphere, there’s likely a Simple Sway design that suits your aesthetic tastes.

Popular color options include “Abbington” (featuring a sophisticated gray and white pattern), “Stratus” (a clean, gender-neutral design), and “Cozy Cove” (with warm, comforting tones). These varied options allow you to select a swing that not only functions well but also looks appealing in your living space. Since the swing may be a visible part of your home for several months, having design choices that match your style can be an important consideration.

Beyond just aesthetics, the different fabric patterns are all made from the same high-quality, durable materials that are designed to withstand frequent use and cleaning. The fabrics are selected for both their visual appeal and their practical benefits, including softness against your baby’s skin and resistance to staining and fading over time.

When selecting a color scheme, consider how it will fit with your existing décor, whether you’re planning to use the swing for future children (perhaps opting for gender-neutral designs), and which patterns might best hide minor stains or wear over time. With multiple attractive options available, you can find a Simple Sway that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is functional for your baby.

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Promotes Sensory Development In Babies

Visual Stimulation

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing offers various elements that help stimulate your baby’s developing visual sense. The mobile featuring three soft, colorful toys suspended above the seat creates an engaging focal point that encourages your baby to track movement with their eyes. This tracking exercise is crucial for developing visual tracking skills and hand-eye coordination in the early months.

The toys are designed with contrasting colours and interesting shapes that capture your baby’s attention and help them practice focusing their vision. As newborns can initially only see high-contrast objects and shapes up to about 12 inches away, these overhead toys are positioned at an ideal distance for visual engagement. As your baby’s vision develops and improves over the first few months, they’ll continue to benefit from watching and interacting with these toys.

The surrounding frame and fabric of the swing also provide visual interest with patterns and colors that stimulate visual processing. These visual elements help develop your baby’s ability to distinguish shapes, recognize patterns, and eventually develop depth perception—all crucial visual processing skills that form the foundation for later cognitive development.

Auditory Development

The 15 songs and sounds included in the Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing provide rich auditory stimulation that supports your baby’s hearing development and early language processing. The variety of sounds—which includes gentle lullabies, nature sounds, and white noise—exposes your baby to different auditory patterns and frequencies that help develop auditory discrimination skills.

Consistent exposure to music and rhythmic sounds helps babies begin to recognize patterns in sounds, which is a foundational skill for later language development. The melodies included in the swing’s sound library are designed to be soothing yet engaging, capturing your baby’s attention without being overwhelming to their sensitive hearing.

The swing’s motor also produces a gentle humming sound during operation, which many babies find comforting as it mimics the constant background sounds they experienced in the womb. This familiar white noise effect can help calm fussy babies while simultaneously providing subtle auditory stimulation. The adjustable volume control allows you to set the sound level appropriately for your baby’s comfort and developmental stage.

Vestibular Stimulation

The gentle side-to-side swaying motion of the Graco Simple Sway provides important vestibular stimulation that helps develop your baby’s sense of balance and spatial orientation. The vestibular system—located in the inner ear—is responsible for sensing movement and position, and proper development of this system is crucial for later motor skills, coordination, and even some aspects of cognitive development.

The rhythmic, predictable swinging motion helps your baby’s brain learn to process movement information and understand their body’s position in space. This kind of vestibular stimulation can have a profoundly calming effect on many babies, which is why swinging motions are so effective at soothing fussy infants. The six different speed settings allow you to adjust the intensity of vestibular input based on your baby’s preferences and developmental needs.

Regular exposure to this gentle motion helps strengthen the neural pathways involved in balance and coordination. As your baby experiences the consistent swaying movement, their brain learns to anticipate and process motion, laying groundwork for later developmental milestones like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking. The swing provides this beneficial stimulation in a controlled, safe manner that supports healthy vestibular development.

Tactile Exploration

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing offers multiple opportunities for tactile stimulation through its variety of textures and surfaces. The plush seat pad provides a soft, comfortable surface against your baby’s skin, while the safety harness and mobile toys introduce different textures for tactile exploration. These varying tactile experiences help develop your baby’s sense of touch and ability to discriminate between different sensations.

The vibration feature adds another dimension of tactile input, providing gentle, consistent sensory feedback that many babies find soothing. This subtle vibration can be particularly beneficial for babies who need additional sensory input to feel secure and comfortable. The two vibration settings allow you to adjust the intensity to match your baby’s preferences.

As your baby grows and begins to reach for the overhead toys, they’ll engage in important tactile exploration using their hands. The different textures and materials of the mobile toys encourage grasping, batting, and manipulating objects—all crucial activities for developing fine motor skills and tactile discrimination. These early tactile experiences contribute to the development of body awareness and spatial understanding, building a foundation for more complex motor skills in later development.

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Suitable From Birth

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is designed to be used from birth until your baby reaches 9 months of age (or 30 pounds/13.6 kg), or starts sitting up unassisted. This makes it an ideal solution for the earliest and often most challenging months of parenthood when having a safe, comfortable place to put your baby down is invaluable.

Newborn (0-3 Months)

During the newborn stage, your baby will benefit greatly from the Simple Sway’s gentle motion and supportive design. The deep, plush seat with head support cradles your newborn securely, providing proper alignment for their developing spine and neck. The reclined position is ideal for newborns who don’t yet have neck control, allowing them to rest comfortably while still being able to observe their surroundings.

For newborns, the slower swing speeds are typically most appropriate, mimicking the gentle rocking motion they experienced in the womb. The overhead mobile provides visual stimulation at a distance that’s perfect for a newborn’s developing vision, which initially focuses best on objects 8-12 inches from their face.

The extra head support included with the swing is particularly valuable during this stage, as it helps maintain proper positioning and provides additional comfort for your baby’s delicate head. Many parents find that the swing becomes an essential tool during the newborn phase, offering a safe place for baby to rest while allowing parents to have their hands free for short periods.

Young Infant (3-6 Months)

As your baby enters the 3-6 month stage, they’ll continue to enjoy the soothing motion of the Simple Sway while beginning to interact more with their environment. During this period, your baby is developing more strength and control, becoming more alert and engaged with their surroundings, and the swing adapts perfectly to these developmental changes.

At this age, babies typically become more interested in the overhead mobile toys, as their vision has improved significantly and they can better track moving objects. Their developing hand-eye coordination means they may begin to bat at or reach for the dangling toys, providing important practice for their growing motor skills.

The swing’s gentle vibration feature becomes particularly useful during this stage, as many babies in this age range find vibration soothing and engaging. You can experiment with different combinations of swing speeds and vibration settings to find what works best for your increasingly aware and responsive baby.

For babies who are starting to experience teething discomfort, the soothing motion and vibration of the Simple Sway can provide welcome relief, helping to distract them from discomfort and often lulling them to sleep during what can be a challenging developmental phase.

Older Infant (6-9 Months)

During the 6-9 month stage, your baby is becoming increasingly mobile and interactive, and the Simple Sway continues to provide value as both a soothing tool and a secure seat for brief periods of play or rest. At this age, many babies can sit up unsupported, but still benefit from the security and comfort of the swing’s supportive seat.

The 5-point harness becomes even more important during this stage, as your increasingly adventurous baby may try to lean or reach out of the swing. The comprehensive restraint system ensures that your active little one remains safely secured while enjoying the swing’s motion and entertainment features.

Many babies at this age respond well to the swing’s music and sound options, often smiling, cooing, or moving in response to familiar tunes. This audio stimulation supports their developing auditory processing skills while providing entertainment and comfort.

As your baby approaches the end of the recommended age range for the swing, you may find they use it for shorter periods but still enjoy the familiar comfort it provides. You’ll know it’s time to retire the swing when your baby reaches 30 pounds, can sit up unassisted, or begins trying to climb out—whichever comes first.

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About The Brand

Graco

Graco is a renowned global brand that has been creating innovative, high-quality baby products for over 60 years. Founded in 1942, the company initially manufactured machine and car parts before pivoting to baby products in 1955 with the introduction of the first automatic baby swing, the Graco Swyngomatic.

Today, Graco is recognized worldwide for its comprehensive range of baby products, including car seats, strollers, high chairs, play yards, and swings. The company is committed to safety, innovation, and practical designs that make parents’ lives easier while supporting healthy child development.

Graco’s products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet or exceed all applicable safety standards, giving parents peace of mind that they’re choosing well-designed, reliable products for their little ones.

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What Comes In The Box?

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing comes with detailed instructions for assembly, use, and maintenance of the swing together with the following components:

1 x Swing Frame

Metal frame with plastic housing for the swing motor and controls together with a vibration box with two speed settings to provide additional soothing comfort..

1 x Plush Seat Pad & Head Support

Soft, machine-washable fabric seat pad with additional head support for newborns and young infants.

1 x Toy Mobile with 3 Soft Toys

Overhead mobile with three soft, colourful toys that provide visual stimulation and entertainment.

1 x AC Adapter

Mains power adapter for plug-in operation (batteries can be used as an alternative).

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Who Should Buy The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing?

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is an excellent choice for various parents and caregivers looking for a reliable, space-efficient way to soothe and entertain their babies. Here’s who would particularly benefit from this swing:

1. Parents with Limited Space: If you live in a smaller home, flat, or apartment where space is at a premium, the Simple Sway’s compact design makes it an ideal choice. Unlike bulkier swing models, this space-saving option provides all the essential features without dominating your living area.
2. Budget-Conscious Parents: The Simple Sway offers excellent value for money, providing all the core functions of a baby swing at a more affordable price point than many competitors. The dual power options (battery or mains) also help save on ongoing costs, making it economically practical.
3. Parents of Fussy or Colicky Babies: If your baby is particularly fussy or experiencing colic, the combination of gentle swinging motion, vibration, and soothing sounds can provide much-needed relief. Many parents of high-needs babies find that a quality swing like the Simple Sway becomes an essential tool for calming their little ones.
4. Multi-Tasking Parents: Whether you’re working from home, caring for other children, or simply need to accomplish daily tasks, the Simple Sway provides a safe, comfortable place for your baby while you have your hands free. The swing’s reliable operation and safety features give you peace of mind while you attend to other responsibilities.
5. Grandparents and Secondary Caregivers: The Simple Sway’s ease of use and reasonable price point make it a great option for grandparents’ homes or for secondary caregivers who need a reliable way to soothe baby during visits or childcare sessions.

In summary, the Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing is perfect for anyone seeking a practical, space-efficient, and affordable baby swing that doesn’t compromise on the essential features needed to effectively soothe and entertain a baby from birth to around 9 months of age.

User Reviews – Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from parents and caregivers who have experienced its benefits firsthand. Here are some highlights:

Sarah, a new mom, shares her experience:

John, a father of two, appreciates the swing’s value:

Emily, a grandparent, praises the swing’s ease of use:

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Warranty – Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing

The Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing comes with a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty covers manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service conditions.

The warranty applies only to the original purchaser and is valid only with proof of purchase. It’s important to note that the warranty does not cover damages resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, accidents, or natural wear and tear. The warranty also excludes batteries, as these are considered consumable items.

If you experience any issues with your Graco Simple Sway Baby Swing that you believe are covered under warranty, you should contact Graco’s customer service department directly. In most cases, they will require proof of purchase and photos or videos of the defect to process your warranty claim.

For additional peace of mind, some retailers offer extended warranty or protection plans at the time of purchase, which can provide coverage beyond the manufacturer’s warranty period. These optional plans might be worth considering if you plan to use the swing for multiple children or want extra protection for your investment.

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