The Papasan Cradle Swing, by Fisher-Price, is a cradle swing that features a motorized mobile with a  large dome mirror, soft clouds, and sweet lambs that entertain the baby from above.  This swing offers three seat positions, as well as both head-to-toe swinging motion, and side-to-side motion.  The Papasan Cradle Swing also features ten musical tunes and three nature sounds to both entertain and soothe baby as she swings.  This swing offers six swing speeds, volume control, and conveniently folds up for storage.

Pros:

• On this swing, not only does the whole mobile rotate, but each individual sheep and cloud moves, to keep baby interested.  There is also a mirror on the underside of the mobile to capture baby’s attention.
• The motor, on the Papasan Cradle Swing, is extremely quiet, as compared with competitive products.
• There is a volume control for the music, or it can be turned completely off, to give parents a break.
• The swing has the option of either side-to side motion or front-to back motion, making it very versatile.
• There is a removable toy tray that fits over the baby’s lap for play time, but it is easy to remove for nap time.  This tray feature also adds another dimension of versatility.
• This cradle swing has a soft, plush cushion and a head support pillow to allow baby to relax in optimum comfort.
• The Papasan Cradle Swing is stylish and blends in with any home decor.
• The seat-belt/harness has elasticized leg openings, so they comfortably fit any baby.  There is no need to be concerned about your baby’s chubby little legs getting pinched by the harness in this cradle swing.

Cons:

• The mobile and music shut off automatically after seven minutes.  This means that the parent has to get up and press a button to get the mobile and music turned back on.  There is not a continuous play mode.  Many people find this frustrating.
• The 2 arch way toys, on the toy tray do not make any noise, they just have a couple of movable flowers each.  If your baby is mainly interested in toys that make noise, he may not be very stimulated by these toys.
• The rattling lamb, in the center of the toy tray, is only attached to the toy tray by a strap, so it often falls off the tray into the baby’s lap, usually requiring a parent to put it back on the tray.  Many people feel that it would have been better if this toy had been mounted to the toy tray.
• The seat has only two positions reclined and upright.  The “upright” position is really only less reclined, but not very upright.
• There have been reports of the swing motor smoking and even catching on fire with repeated use.
• The swing does fold up for storage, but it does not get very much smaller.  You should not get this swing if you intend to store it between each use, as this is a bit tedious.  It is best when it is set up in one location where it can be used regularly.

The Soothe and Glow Seahorse is bedtime toy for babies, made by Fisher-Price.  The Soothe and Glow Seahorse is the perfect size for a baby to hold.  The seahorse  has a light in the belly that light up when hugged, and plays 5 minutes of music or ocean sounds to help baby fall asleep.  The light and music are easily turned on by the light pressure of even a small child’s hug, or a parent’s gentle pressure.  The music is comprised of 2 ocean tracks, and  8 gentle classical lullaby selections.  After 5 minutes, the music and light gently fades away, so as not to disturb a sleeping baby.  Most important, there is a volume control on the Soothe and Glow Seahorse, as well as an ON/OFF switch, for times when parents need a break from the music of the seahorse.

Pros:

• Toy is very cute, comforting, and colors are soothing to most babies.
• Outer cover comes off of the mechanical parts of this toy, so it is safe to wash (preferably by hand).
• Since there is a volume control, the songs can be set to play loud or soft.
• Songs are calming and pleasant sounding to both babies and adults.
• Light is very comforting and interesting to most babies.
• Music and light can be easily turned on and off by gently squeezing the tummy of the toy.  Toy can be turned on by most babies that are 4+ months old without assistance.

Cons:

• There are only 2 volume settings, some have reported them as very soft and very loud, and nothing in between.
• The volume control is very difficult to reach without taking the whole toy apart, as it is on the front of the machine, in the stomach of the seahorse.  You have to wrap your fingers around the machine inside the stuffed toy in order to reach.
• The head of the seahorse is a little bit too heavy for many small babies to be able to hold on to.
• The Velcro in the back of the toy doesn’t always stay closed very well, allowing the mechanical portions of the toy to potentially hang out.
• There is no option to play the music with the light off.  Some children may be so interested in the light that they have trouble going to sleep.

The Rock-A-Stack is a rocking cone and 5 brightly colored graduated rings that fit on the cone, made by Fisher-Price.  The Rock-A-Stack is a toy designed to encourage both motor skills and cognitive abilities, as they learn to stack the rings in the proper order.  All of the bright rings are made of safe, washable, soft plastic that work well for teething babies.  This is a toy that is best suited for children from 6 months to 2 years.

Pros:

• Because of the stacking order of the graduated rings, the child learns logic as well as developing memory, and problem solving skills.
• The rings and base are light in weight, easy for a small child to carry around with them.  More importantly, if they are dropped, they are light enough that they will not cause injury to a baby’s feet or toes.
• A great learning toy for many stages of development, as it can teach colors, coordination, and balance, in addition to the other skills of logic, memory, and problem solving.
• The toy is very easy to clean, durable, and not too large to take along on road trips.

Cons:

• There have been some issues (in early 2009) with blue dye rubbing off of the blue ring and getting on things, including the baby.
• For some babies, the task of choosing progressively larger rings may be more frustrating than fun, so this toy may not be for everyone.
• The rocking bottom of the cone is hard and can cause injury if used as a weapon.
• Do not let children chew on the rings unattended, as there have been cases where small pieces were broken off, causing a potential choking hazard, as well as jagged edges that can cut little fingers.

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby’s First Blocks is a set of ten brightly colored blocks of different shapes and a storage bucket, made by Fisher-Price.  The bucket features a shape-sorting lid to teach baby hand-eye coordination and shape identification.  Baby can fill the bucket with blocks, dump them out and start all over again, for hours of learning and fun.  The blocks are also stackable for very young architects.  This a a great set for fostering early developmental skills in babies from 6 months to 3 years.

Pros:

• Entire set can be easily washed in the kitchen sink with soap and water.
• Blocks are small and easily held and manipulated by little hands.
• The entire set is light-weight and the handle of the bucket makes it convenient for little ones that want their blocks as they move around the house.  It is also easy for parents to pack in the car for outings at Grandma’s or with friends.

Cons:

• Shape-sorting lid does not snap on, so babies can remove it.  Some babies learn to put the blocks in by simply removing the lid, since it is more difficult to put them through the shape-specific holes.

The Zen Collection Cradle Swing is a fashionable cradle swing complete with two different swinging motions, 14 different songs, and a mobile that swings along with baby, all to provide multiple ways of soothing to an infant.  The Zen Collection Swing is made by Fisher-Price.  This swing features a seat that rotates 90 degrees to provide either a side-to-side cradle motion or front-to-back swing motion together with a variety of speeds.  This swinging cradle is designed to hold infants up to 25 pounds that are not yet able to sit-up on their own.  The unique basket shape is designed to create a feeling of support and security for even very young babies.  The seat position is adjustable to either recline or sit-up, and comes complete with padded head support, built-in cover, and a plush seat cover to keep baby comfortable.  The swing seat turns 90 degrees, so that the swing can move the seat from side-to-side or front-to-back, and the speed of the swing is controlled by a graduated speed dial, to allow for a varied selection of swinging speeds.  The swing has the power options of either being plugged in (A/C adapter), or battery powered, for times when there is no power outlet near by.  While baby is swinging, he can listen to one of 14 different calming sounds with adjustable volume, including calming sounds from nature (like babbling brook, and chirping birds), as well as  musical remixes of classical tunes.  The mobile also sways along with the swinging motion to keep baby entertained while awake.  Best of all, the seat is removable from the swing, so when baby falls asleep, there is no need to wake him, simply remove the seat from the swing and carry it to different rooms of the house with you.

Pros:

• The swinging action is very smooth and quiet.
• The mobile easily rotates out of the way, making it easy to put baby in or take baby (and seat, if you desire) out of the swing.
• The colors of the fabric of the swing are classy and go well with any home de?cor.
• Because the seat can be turned 90 degrees, the swing is able to either swing side-to-side, like a cradle, or front-to-back, like a parent.  This creates great versatility.
• The seat is removable, so make a great baby carrier for those time baby falls asleep in the swing.
• The seat cover, attached blanket, and pillow are all removable and machine washable.
• There is a volume control knob for the music and nature sounds, allowing fine adjustment of volume.

Cons:

• Assembly instructions are not as thorough as one might hope, and can make assembly more difficult that it would be it the instructions were more detailed.
• Mobile does not move on its own, although it does sway along with the swing, but does not twist or move any other way by itself.
• The underside of the parasol toys are plain brown, instead of striped like the top.  So, baby’s view is plain brown, but parent’s view is striped.  There are, however, other toys that hang from these parasols, so baby will likely be entertained regardless of the color of the inside of the parasols.
• The base of the swing is rather large, so it will take up quite a bit of floor space.
• The seat does not sit up very far, so could be frustrating for older babies that like to look around, or that are no longer amused by the mobile.
• There is no bounce or vibration in the seat, and when it is removed from the swing, it is just stationary.
• The slowest swing setting may be too high for some new-born babies.

The Rainforest Melodies and Lights Deluxe Gym is an activity gym designed to excite babies with interactive games, lights,  fabric textures, music, and nature sounds.  The Rainforest Melodies and Lights Deluxe Gym is made by Fisher-Price.  This Deluxe Gym comes complete with a floor quilt for the baby to lay on while looking up at colorful arches that suspend a variety of toys for baby’s amusement and learning.  The hanging toys include  a shiny mirror , a mobile of spinning butterflies , a spinner with rattling beads, a crinkly leaf that can be used for peek-a-boo, as well as a variety of movable and stationary activity toys.  This Deluxe Gym also has sound settings:  a  20 minute setting of parent-activated continuous music, a baby-activated mode with 8 to 12 seconds of lights and music, or a 20 minute setting of parent-activated rainforest sounds.  All of these sound settings not only stimulate a baby’s auditory senses, they also help to soothe and comfort a baby.

Pros:

• Upbeat  music for when baby is active and playing, and quite, soothing rainforest sounds for when baby is sleepy.
• Many of the toys are removable.  They can be moved from the arch to the mat, or taken out of the gym for a bed-time buddy or car ride entertainment.
• The removable toys and the mat are all washable.
• The music is not irritating to adults, so the whole family can listen to the music while baby plays,  and the rainforest sounds are soothing  to babies and parents, alike.  Best of all, there are two volume settings.
• Simple to assemble, and easy to change out batteries.

Cons:

• Some people find this toy difficult to fold-up for storage unless it is taken apart.  It will not fit into the bag that it came with, unless it is completely taken apart.
• The mirror attached to the giraffe may not point into the center of the mat.  This may mean that a parent will need to hold the mirror for the baby to be able to see into the mirror.
• It has been reported that the mirror has fallen out of the frame in some situations, and can present a danger if a baby tries to put the round, bare mirror into his mouth.
• The butterfly mobile does not spin on its own, it either has to be spun by a parent or a baby.  This could, clearly, be hard for a baby that is unable to reach the mobile.
• This gym is not readily portable, so it is not easy to take it with on an outing to keep baby entertained.

The Rainforest Jumperoo is an interactive jumping toy made by Fisher-Price.  This toy is meant for children old enough to support their own heads, but who are not yet able to climb out of this toy or walk yet.  The Rainforest Jumperoo is designed to create a secure, safe atmosphere, while introducing your child to stimulating interactive play.  All facets of this toy encourage healthy growth and development.

Pros:

• The seat of the Rainforest Jumperoo rotates 360 degrees.  There are toys on all sides, so this allows for a constantly changing view for the baby.  This keeps the baby entertained for longer than the old non-rotating jumper toys.
• There are animals hanging above the from the leaves that encourage the baby to jump and try to reach them.
• The music & sounds are rainforest-like and stimulate the baby’s auditory senses as well as reward the baby for bouncing and spinning in the seat.
• The round shape takes up less room than the older style A-frame jumper toys.
• The Rainforest Jumperoo  is attractive and well constructed.
• The Rainforest Jumperoo has  many animals and toys, including a parrot hanging from a bead bar, a monkey swinging from a vine ,a tiger that plays hide and seek, a spinning lizard that makes rattling sounds, a bobbling elephant, and a  tethered chew toy, all brightly colored to keep baby’s attention.  There is also music triggered by baby’s jumping and lights that flash to the beat of the music.
• This toy is easy to put- up, take-down and only weighs 19.6 pounds, so it is easy to transport and use anywhere.
• The springs are covered with fabric to protect baby’s fingers from being pinched.
• Seat is easily removable and machine washable.
• The Rainforest Jumperoo has three height adjustments to accommodate a baby as it grows.

Cons:

• Some may find this toy large, bulky and difficult to  move from room to room, as it does not slide or roll across the floor very easily.  It also does not fit through doorways when fully assembled.
• Some people may find the seat cover on the Rainforest Jumperoo more difficult to remove than other Fisher-Price Jumperoo models.
• Dangerous for babies that are not able to support their own head yet.  The bouncing creates a lot of jiggling motion and can be damaging to a baby’s neck.
• Some people may find the animal sounds irritating.
• The bobbling elephant is difficult for a child to turn by himself.  This can frustrate some children and make them fussy