I have owned and used the Sweetpeace for a little over three months now, waiting to write a review until I got to know it well.I have a ten-year-old son.When I entered the market for baby products once again in 2008, I was amazed at how much more complicated things were.When a simple, battery powered open-top swing was the best you could get in 1998, a "Soothing Center" that promised everything next to changing the baby's diaper was on the market now!I was cynical about it all, but must admit that many of the features on this product claimed to make improvements to issues that I remembered learning by trial and error with baby #1 could use improvement.I decided to try it out as the one big nicety of my baby gear shopping.
First of all, the pros:
~ To address other reviews, I hear no difference between the motor noise on this and what I remember my battery powered Graco open-top swing sounding like.If it uses electricity, it will make some type of sound.Perhaps varying factors could affect this, I don't know, but mine is almost silent.
~ I find the music/white noise sounds to be wonderful; rich in sound with decent variation in selection.Someone mentioned as a con to this product that "Flight of the Bumblebee" (one of the song choices) was not a soothing song.It isn't supposed to be; despite the name of the product, not everything on it is there to lull a baby.There are two music buttons.One has slow, soothing music.The other plays upbeat, fun songs which one would use at a non-sleeping time (unless your kid can sleep through anything, like mine thus far).
~ Some have mentioned the volume being only a choice between loud and louder.I disagree!The lowest setting is hard for me to hear it on (and yes, even when my ten-year-old is away at school)!The loud is LOUD, though.Probably too loud for baby when IN the seat.But I've played baby's music for her while we play, and MY music through it while I clean.The sound is clear and rich...almost Bose worthy.
~ The white noise button has fantastic detail.For example, the mother's heartbeat choice not only has a heartbeat, but also the 'swishing' noise of the liquid activity the baby would have probably heard in the womb, as well.I own a few things that mimic my heartbeat for baby, but that is a first.
~ On a last note regarding sound, you are not limited to an I-pod if you want to plug-in to play your own MP3s, either; anything that uses a 3.5mm plug works.I've used my Rio MP3 player an even my laptop.Nice touch in a world where it's getting all too rare to find a product that gives more than a designated I-Pod docking station.
~ The control pad, by the way, is great.Intuitive buttons, backlit with a non-intrusive blue light.When you turn the swing/sounds off, it remembers your setting next time (i.e., if you had the speed set on four, four will be what it defaults to when you press the on button next time).
~ As others have stated, the Sweetpeace plugs in to the wall.That right there sold me, as batteries for my old open-top swing practically sent me to the poor house ten years ago.Unfortunately, the vibration on the seat still uses a D battery.However, that is necessary as the seat comes off to use other places and allow for a Graco Infant Carrier to be placed for use on the swing.
~ Being able to make the seat face backward, foward, right or left as well as in three different recline positions brings MUCH variety for baby.Just when mine seems to get sick of one view/movement, a new position of the chair makes it like a whole new swing.Sanity saver.
Now, though few, I count these as cons:
~ Some of the selling points for this product are gimmicky, in my opinion.Their idea of you sleeping with the swaddling blanket to give it your smell for baby is a sweet one.But my smell is already on much stuff she's near often, namely ME.The swaddle blanket was too cumbersome and small for use with my baby, anyhow...and she is small-ish as babies go...in the 30th percentile in baby size for her age (seven pounds at birth). The teddy bear looking head support (though adorable) was too big for my newborn's head and kind of got in the way.We took it out and used two tightly rolled security blankets on each side of her body to support her instead.I recently gave the head support another chance now that she's bigger.Now it places her neck/head in an uncomfortabe position.
~ It isn't easy to move around the room like I did with the old swing.I have a small living room with lots of furniture to maneuver around, so that tends to be an issue for me.If you are tight on space and need to move the swing to another location in the room in order to store/use it, take that into consideration.It feels very sturdy though, which puts one's mind at ease.
~ The other bother is the lame attempt at activity toys for baby.Mine is only three months old and is already bored.The toy bar consists of a mirror with a rattle that can't be held, and a teether that can't be chilled and will probably still be way too fat for my baby's mouth in six months.Oh, and a third spot that looks like it should have a toy, but which actually has/does nothing.I usually just remove the toy bar all together (maybe that will change when she is older).However, when you remember that this is not an Exersaucer--it's a swing--that drawback is a small one.
This swing is not perfect, but comes very close to it.I was hesitant to buy it, but am very glad I took a chance.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Graco Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center
Product Description:
Life is a new adventure for your little newborn, and she needs all the loving help she can get. You can help keep your newborn feeling as comfortable and secure as possible with the Graco Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center. Designed for babies up to 25 pounds in weight, this innovative, one-of-a-kind tool can help soothe your baby the way you do, through specially designed, calming sensory applications.
- Accommodation for babies up to 25 pounds.
- Simulation of a mother's womb.
- Adjustable seat positions and cradling motions.
- Five-point harness keeps baby snug and secure.
- Connection for MP3 players.
The Sweetpeace can mimic sounds heard in the womb. Innovative Sensory Comforts Based on Scientific Research
The Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center was designed based on significant research into the needs of newborns, as well as feedback from real-life mothers. This unique tool is designed to simulate the comfort of the womb with customizable touch, sound, sights, and movement. Four unique seat positions and four different cradling motions mimic how you cradle and hold your baby, and six speeds allow you to customize the Center's movement based on your baby's mood and needs. A two-speed vibration provides baby with a subtle, calming "massage,Eand a built-in swaddle blanket, head support, and snug five-point harness keep baby feeling extra secure.
Soothing, familiar sounds help to relax your baby as well: choose from low-frequency sounds that mimic sounds heard in the womb; natural sounds such as heartbeat, rain and wind; or lullabies played through the high-quality speakers; or provide your own play list with the included MP3 connection and holder.
Baby's eyes are kept from over stimulation with an adjustable canopy, which controls light and limits baby's line of vision--making it easier for a tired baby to feel calm. A close-by mirror gives baby something interesting to focus on quietly.
Versatile and Convenient
The Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center's removable carrier seat can be placed on the floor to double as a stationary rocker. You can also use the Center with any Graco Infant Car Seat--so you can easily transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the Soothing Center in your home without disturbing his nap. The Center requires no assembly; it can be powered by five D-cell batteries (not included) or with the included AC adaptor.
In 1942, Russell Gray and Robert Cone formed Graco Metal Products, in Philadelphia, PA. For 11 years, the firm fabricated machine and car parts for local manufacturers. In 1953, Gray left the firm, leaving Cone as sole owner. Cone decided to manufacture his own line of products, but had trouble coming up with ideas. Enter David Saint, an engineer, tinkerer, and stained glass artisan who worked for Graco. Saint, himself a father of nine, was intrigued when an associate told him how his wife would soothe their tired and cranky baby while swinging in a backyard glider swing. Acting on this inspiration, he went to the drawing board and 18 months of hard work later, the world's first wind-up infant swing, the Graco Swyngomatic, was born. Graco sold millions of Swyngomatics in the coming years, becoming one of the world's leading manufacturers of juvenile products in the process. Today, Graco is a Newell Rubbermaid company, with 1500 associates worldwide. While a half-century has brought many changes to Graco, their dedication and commitment to designing and manufacturing top-quality products remains, and continues on.
What's in the Box
Graco Sweetpeace Newborn Soothing Center with carrier, and AC adaptor.
Buy NowGet 20% OFF
No comments:
Post a Comment