In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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The Graco Glider Lite LX is a perfect compact solution for parents trying to save on space. With one of the smallest footprints of all the swings in the review, it is our favorite compact soother and has a price tag that will fit most budgets. The unique gliding motion may help soothe even the fussiest of babies. It has all the benefits that would come with a full-size swing, like an AC adapter or battery operation, as well as songs, sounds, a timer, and a mobile, but it has a footprint that is less than half the size of most other options. This swing is not the right choice if you want the standard swinging motion, but the deep seat and cozy fleece fabric make it an excellent place for a baby to relax while giving parents' arms a break.
REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Full features
Less expensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Difficult to assemble
Basic infant insert
Safety Warning
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has posted a safety alert about a few Fisher-Price infant rockers and some baby gear, including similar baby bouncers, rockers, and swings with more than a 10-degree incline. They recommend against using these products for baby's sleep time and encourage caregivers to monitor their baby at all times. It's important for your baby's safety that you do not add any bedding to the device and confirm a baby is properly secured by following the manufacturer's instructions. If a baby falls asleep in a baby product, like a rocker, bouncer, or swing, you should move them to a safe sleeping surface that's flat and firm, like a crib, bassinet, or play yard.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Originally, Graco was a company that manufactured car parts. It began in 1942 by two men, Russell Gray and Robert Cone. In 1953, they decided to expand to include baby products and hired an engineer to design creative solutions to ease a parent's job. The tester product was a baby swing inspired by a coworker's crying infant. The swing was more successful than anticipated and launched Graco into the baby product market. Soon after, they started producing other baby gear such as strollers, car seats, high chairs, and more. With over 60 years of baby gear experience, Graco is a go-to brand for many new parents.
Performance Comparison
The Graco Glider Lite LX has a deeper seat, keeping baby more snuggled.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Soothing
If you have tried other baby swings and had no luck with a more traditional swinging motion, this glider may be the perfect fit for your baby. The motion is very similar to what a baby would feel when rocking in a parent's arms in a glider chair, which may be more comfortable and familiar. It is nearly silent, even operating at full speed, with very few creaks and motor sounds. Although the mobile is very basic, it is attached to the swing seat and moves around when it is in motion. You can choose from six different speeds, ten classical melodies, and five nature sounds to keep your baby happy.
The seat is deeper than many, but it is also much broader. So while it may be cozy for your baby, there is still more room than necessary, and the baby may not feel as tightly snuggled as in other swings. The recline is not adjustable, and while it is at an acceptable angle for younger babies, there is no option for older babies to sit up after they gain better head and neck control. The edge of the seat and the insert are both lined with soft fleece material, and covering the bottom is a smooth-feeling fabric that is wipeable in case of accidents.
The mobile on the Graco Glider Lite LX is made of two simple toys, but they move and swing with the seat when it is turned on.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The controls on the Glider Lite are generally intuitive, except for the timer. We had to review the manual to figure out how to set it, and it takes several uses before getting the hang of it without the instructions. Otherwise, all the buttons have icons indicating their function (below left) and are backlit to help visibility in dark spaces, but to be clear, your baby should never sleep in this device. The mobile connects to the edges of the seat and is easy to pop off when placing the baby inside. The fabric is machine washable but must air dry, so you will want to be sure to leave enough time between uses to allow it to dry completely.
The buttons on the Graco Glider LX are made of a rubbery material that makes no sound when pressed.
It can be a bit difficult to pull the fabric tight enough around the frame on the Graco Glider to button the snap closures.
Users complain that the assembly instructions are not user-friendly, and we agree. We were frustrated with the amount of rereading, reworking and rebuttoning required to assemble this swing. The snaps are particularly challenging because the fabric must be pulled tight around the frame (above right). However, after the initial assembly, the swing is lightweight and small enough to be easily carried from room to room as required.
The Graco Glider Lite LX is electrically powered either through an AC adapter or four D batteries.
The side profile of the Glider Lite is very narrow and doesn't take up much space.
Quality
For the price, this is a good quality swing. The fit and finish of the parts make it look tidy and minimalistic. The buttons are a rubbery material rather than hard plastic and have a silent operation. The mobile is a bit lacking, but we like that it moves when the swing is in motion and is removable.
The infant insert on the Graco Glider Lite LX only adds support around the head.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Safety
The Glider Lite LX, along with every other swing in the review, adheres to the safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The 5-point harness is similar to many other swings in the competition with five separate straps and can be kept out of the way when strapping in the baby. It doesn't have a padded crotch strap, so you'll need to be thoughtful when buckling baby in to avoid pinching. The very deep seat ensures the baby won't roll around during buckling.
