A baby swing is a great hands-free helper in the house, but it can be great to have your infant entertained while you’re otherwise occupied out in the garden, as well. Safety is the most important concern when it comes to an outdoor baby swing, just like any other baby toy. There are some things that you should make sure of before putting your child into a swing.

1. Make sure that any swing you consider buying for your child is certified as safe. This should be declared on the packaging, or you can visit the brand’s website to get in contact with the manufacturer to ask directly.

2. A swing made to be put on the ground should have a sturdy frame with legs wide enough that it won’t tip over. Foldable and portable swings are convenient, but they can also tip more easily, especially if on unlevel ground. Test the swing before putting your baby in it by setting it to swing on high by itself for a while. If it doesn’t budge at all, it’s sturdy enough to put your child in.

3. Outdoor swing models that are meant to be hung from something, such as a tree limb, with rope or wire should be balanced. Make sure it won’t overturn when your child moves. The wire or rope meant to suspend it should be sturdy and resistant to fraying. They should support an adult’s forceful tugging when attached.

4. Make sure that the seat itself is sturdy enough to withstand the outdoors and doesn’t have any gaps between the assembly points. There should be nowhere for your child to pinch him- or herself in a seam. Ideally,

5. A baby swing should always have safety restraints that are adjustable over a wide range. A seatbelt or harness is important in keeping your child from falling or climbing out, or leaning too far over the side and overbalancing the swing. Be sure that any swing you choose has at least a waist-crotch combination restraint, but a 5-point harness is best.

6. Infant/newborn swings are made differently than those for toddlers. Be certain that you have the correct model for your baby’s age. Swings for younger babies recline further, while those for older babies allow the child to sit up straighter.

7. The baby swing that you choose should be padded. A seat that is padded appropriately will provide your baby proper support and keep him or her from sliding too far down in the swing seat. For small infant swings, the pad should have head support to keep a baby’s head steady. Just be sure that the pad cover is removable for washing – spit-up and potty accidents are almost guaranteed to happen.

8. Built in toys can keep your baby entertained. Look for toys that are removable and can be cleaned easily. If they can’t be removed, they can’t be washed properly, and any baby equipment that goes outside is bound to become dirty.

9. Check that it will be easy to put your baby into the swing and get him or her out. You shouldn’t have to contort yourself or your child to use a swing. Any toys should be easily moveable and any overhead framework should be wide and tall enough to give you easy access.

10. Before purchasing any swing, look it up online and read reviews on it by people who have used it. There’s no better way to confirm whether a piece of baby furniture is great or shoddy than reading what real owners have to say about it. Ask the store or online shop that you buy your outdoor baby swing from about their return policy and malfunctioning or broken items.