Sunnyside Safari, Plug In Sway & Swing Review and Giveaway

I'm realizing more and more every day that although I have just over 2 months until our new addition arrives, that really isn't a lot of time! I mean, gosh--it's been 2 months already since Christmas!?! So, I'm starting to prepare our house for baby #2 and getting together all the baby gear we'll be needing.

You might remember that I reviewed the  InGenuity™ Cradle & Sway™ Swing from Bright Starts when Maggie was a baby. I LOVE everything about this swing except that it does not have the option to plug into an electrical outlet. I hate buying batteries all the time! Knowing how much I've always loved the products from Bright Starts, I was so excited when I found out that they just released a new swing that has an AC adapter! So, of course, I just had to try it out!

Bright Starts sent me the Sunnyside Safari, Plug In Sway & Swing AND the matching Sunnyside Safari, Bouncer (watch for the review coming soon!) and we were so excited to receive them! The Sunnyside Safari Collection is available exclusively at Walmart retail stores and Walmart.com.  It also includes a travel swing, chair top highchair, playard, and activity saucer. Maggie loves all of the colorful animals! I know she'll be excited to "help" care for her baby brother with these items!

Here's a description of the swing:

Some swings go back and forth. Some go side to side. This one does both—and does it with music, toys, and delightful jungle style. With a seat designed for 180° rotation, allowing three swing directions, the Bright Starts™ Sunnyside Safari™ Plug in Sway & Swing™ uses our unique TrueSpeed™ technology to sense baby's weight and adjust for consistent speed—so it grows along with baby. The swing also boasts a volume-adjustable 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds, an overhead mobile—even an AC adaptor to save on battery expense. And it features the fun and engaging characters of the Sunnyside Safari™ Collection. Start the fun with Bright Starts!™

Product Features:

· Seat rotates 180° for 3 swing directions

· TrueSpeed™ technology maintains 6 speeds as baby grows

· Mobiles with 2 playtime toys easily pivots out of the way

· 20 minutes of melodies and nature sounds with volume control and auto shut-off

· AC adaptor saves money on batteries

Additional Features:

· Swing time with 3 settings: 30, 45 and 60 minutes

· Whisper Quiet™ operation

· 5 point harness

· Machine washable seat pad

· Non-slip feet

· Product Dimensions: 37”w x 28”d x 40.5”h

· Packaging Dimensions: 18”w x 9.5”d x 25.5”h

I decided to set up the swing on a night when my husband wasn't home. I wasn't sure how that would go, but I was determined to do it! I know I have some readers who are single moms, so sometimes I like to be able to say that I, as a women (who is not very handy,) set it up all by myself! I pulled all the pieces out of the box and had it all set up in about 20 minutes (and this was WITH the "help" of my daughter!) The only tool that you'll need is a screwdriver! If I can set it up almost 30 weeks pregnant, you can set it up too!

My daughter weighs 22 1/2 pounds and this swing says that it will work for babies up to 25 pounds. After helping me set the swing up, she was eager to try it out and I figured, why not?! I'll put it to the real test and see just how well it would work for a heavy baby. I've been eating so much this pregnancy, I'm not so certain I'll have a petite little thing again!

I got her in the swing, strapped her in, and turned the swing on. Was it able to swing her weight?? You bet! Now, of course she was excited, sitting forward, and moving around so it wasn't the smoothest ride, but that is to be expected. Next we strapped in her baby doll to watch her swing and it was a nice, calm, smooth ride!

The swing works very quietly, unless of course you want to put on the music and nature sounds this swing plays, which are lovely! You will notice a very slight increase in sound from the swing motor when you adjust the speed. Once the swing settles in to the correct speed (which is just a few seconds) the sound is VERY minimal. I actually found the slight sound of the motor to be soothing and calming myself. Unless you are standing directly next to the swing though, you shouldn't notice any sound coming from it if you have the music/nature sounds turned off. If you do however decide to turn the music/nature sounds on, there is also a volume adjust button so you can get that just right.

Like I said, one of my favorite features of this swing is that it comes with an AC adapter. It does however give you the option of putting batteries in as well, if that is your preference. The cord is really thin and hardly noticeable!

This swing also pivots so you can have your child swing forwards and backwards or side to side. The cute animal mobile easily pushes out of the way when you need to take your child out of the swing.

I love this swing! I couldn't ask for more and I can't wait to use it with our son! Not only does it have all of the features I'm looking for, but it also is priced at under $100, which I certainly appreciate! I'm actually really glad that I have it set up and ready to go a few weeks early too. I'm going to keep it in our living room so that Maggie and I can practice with her baby dolls on letting the baby sleep in the swing. Hopefully by the time the real baby comes along, she'll have it down!

Bright Starts has generously offered to give one of my readers their own swing! This is an amazing prize and I'm so happy to be able to share it with one of you! If you'd like a chance to win it, just use the easy Rafflecopter entry form. Good luck!

~Like this giveaway? Please click the Top Mommy Blogs banner below. This casts a vote for my blog today and helps me continue to get great giveaways to share with you!~





a Rafflecopter giveaway