I hope you’ve been enjoying BC’s Cheapskate Challenge series, where we’ve been exploring how to buy the very best baby items you can on a very limited budget.

The Challenge

Last week’s challenge focused on bouncers, rockers, and swings. I issued the following challenge to readers and asked them to consider the quality of items as well as price:

Scenario 1: You have $50 to spend on a swing, rocker, and/or bouncy seat (or similar entertainment/soothing item) for a new baby. What do you buy? Why?

Scenario 2: You have $100 to spend on a swing, rocker and/or bouncy seat (or similar item for a new baby. What do you buy? Why?

The Results

Read through the more than 150 comments to this Cheapskate Challenge and you’ll see lots of contradictory comments like, “My baby never liked a swing.” and “I couldn’t have survived without a swing.” This is nothing new.

In 2008 I posted a poll asking readers to tell me whether their babies were soothed more by a swing or a bouncer. 1873 readers responded. 43% preferred the swing, 27% preferred the bouncer, and less than a quarter of the babies in question were soothed by both the bouncer and a swing. 6% didn’t like either.

The truth is, there’s really know way to predict whether your child will prefer a swing or a bouncer. You can always buy both, budget permitting, but chances are your baby won’t like one or the other, and one of your pricey purchases will gather dust in the corner.

Consider Second Hand

It makes sense to try to borrow a bouncer and/or swing from friends until you figure out which, if either, your child prefers. If that’s not an option, try to find a gently used one at your local kiddie consignment shop, on Craigslist, or at a yard sale or consignment sale. A quick check of my local Craigslist board today reveals full-sized swings for $35, a bouncer for $12, and more.

Since most swings only get a few weeks of use, there’s generally plenty of life left in them when parents pass them on. You’ll save the most, of course, buy foregoing both types of electronic soothers and relying on pure parent power.

Another thing many expectant parents don’t realize is that most babies will only use a bouncer or swing until they’re about 25 lbs (sometime around a year old for many babies). and will probably enjoy using it for only a few weeks– another great reason to do some serious bargain hunting.

Readers’ Faves

I’ve linked to the following products at Amazon, where you can find out more about them and read reviews.

$50 Budget:

• While not as powerful as full-sized swings, portable swings are less expensive and take up less space than their full-sized counterparts. Bright Starts is known for budget-friendly baby gear. Their Comfort & Harmony Portable Swing lists for around $60, and is easy to find on sale. Holds up to 25 lbs. 4 C batteries.

• The Fisher-Price Take Along Swing retails for $50 to $70, and is also easy to find on sale. It also holds up to 25 lbs and requires 4 C batteries.

• Fisher-Price Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper. The Rock n Play is a favorite with parents that babies can use from day one. List price is about $60, and it’s easy to find on sale. Some parents use this as a travel bed. Maximum weight is 25 lbs.

• The hugely popular Fisher-Price Infant to Toddler Rocker (shown) has a bit more staying power. Listing for about $40, this infant seat morphs into a toddler rocker that will hold up to 40 lbs. Requires 1 D Battery.

• The Infantino Fold and Go Bouncer lists for about $50. It needs 3 AAA batteries and folds up for easy transport.

• Fisher-Price Bouncers range from $35 to $60 and hold up to 25 lbs. (4 D Batteries).

• Tiny Love Gymini Bouncer is also about $50. 1 Lithium Metal battery required.

$100 Budget:

Readers either upgrade to a full-sized swing, or add in the bouncer if they chose the swing or vice versa. One reason for upgrading to a full sized swing is that some of them plug into the wall, eliminating the need for batteries. Some full sized swings also have a slightly higher weight limit, allowing for longer use.

When it comes to full-sized swings, readers love the FP Open Top Cradle Swing (can often be found under $100 on sale) and the Graco Lovin Hug Swing, and the FP Cradle Swing (can often be found under $100 on sale).

Some parents added theFisher-Price Jumperoo, which is fun for babies starting at around 4 months (25 lb. weight limit).

And the winner is

And the winner of the $25 Amazon gift card is… Sarah! I’ve emailed you Sarah. Congrats!