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How to Fix a Baby Swing: The Complete Guide
Parents know how important a baby swing is. For the better part of those early months, your baby will probably be spending a lot of time in one. But sometimes it’s the baby swing that’ll act up. So, what can you do if your baby swing breaks down or has some issues that need fixing? You want to make sure you set your baby swing up to last as long as possible. That’s why we put together this complete guide on how to fix a baby swing.
You don’t necessarily need to replace it or seek professional help to fix a baby swing. You can do this yourself.
Wondering how to fix a baby swing? In this article, we’ll look at some common problems you may face with it and how to solve them.
A Guide to Fixing a Baby Swing
Like your tiny one, the baby swing has various needs to operate properly. In some cases, it just needs a simple fix. In others, it may need a more elaborate solution. You may notice issues with the swinging mechanism, motor, or gears. Let’s find out possible solutions to these common problems.
Swinging Problems
If your baby swing isn’t swinging, it may be due to one of the following reasons:
Reasons 1: Alignment
If the swing is tilted or incorrectly leveled, then it may stop swinging. You’ll need to re-align the baby swing to fix it.
How to Fix It
Simply, you just need to adjust the legs, ensuring they’re appropriately aligned on the floor. Also, if your little one is old enough to sit up, make sure they aren’t leaning on the swing side, causing an imbalance.
Reason 2: Battery
Many swings are battery-operated, so check the batteries.
How to Fix the Baby Swing
Use a Phillips head screwdriver to open the battery compartment. Make sure the batteries are placed correctly. If that doesn’t work, then try changing them.
In some cases, batteries erode, making rust and rendering them unusable. In these situations, you need to take out the batteries and clean up the residue rust to avoid any further complications. Now, just pop in the new ones, and you’re ready to go.
Noise Problems
Although it’s normal for a baby swing to produce some sounds, there are times where these sounds are weird or alarming.
There are three types of noises a swing is likely to make: a clicking sound, a squeaking sound, and a grinding sound.
Reason 1: Changing Gears
When a swing reaches the top, it needs to change gears to swing in the other direction. When switching gears, a swing will often make a clicking sound.
How to Fix It
Unfortunately, if the clicking noise is due to changing gears, then there’s nothing you can do about it. It might be annoying, but there aren’t any underlying issues.
From experience, I can tell you that you may get used to that sound after a while. You may even come to like it. The monotony and repetitiveness, like white noise, can aid in calming your baby or help them fall asleep.
Reason 2: Imbalance
Another reason for clicking noises may be that your baby swing isn’t appropriately balanced.
How to Fix the Baby Swing
You just need to make sure that the swing base and legs are properly fixed, aligned, and on a flat surface.
Reason 3: Baby is Too Heavy
If your swing is carrying more than the maximum weight, it may produce a squeaking sound.
How to Fix It
Alas, all good things must come to an end. In this case, your only solution is to upgrade to a bigger swing to make sure that your little one is safe.
Reason 4: Wear and Tear
You may have had your swing for some time. Like all things, as it gets old, it’ll start to squeak, especially in the joints and gears.
How to Fix the Baby Swing
Try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. Usually, if you oil that part, it’ll fix the annoying sound. Better yet, lubricate all the visible joints for a smoother performance.
If the sounds continue, you should consider upgrading your swing for your baby’s safety.
Reason 5: Assembly Problems
Are all the nuts and bolts tight? If not, this may be the reason for a squeaking swing.
How to Fix It
Tighten any loose screws or bolts. We suggest you place the swing on a flat hard surface while you do that, like a polished wooden floor, for example. That’ll help ensure that your examination is thorough.
We recommend you do that periodically, even if there is no squeaking sound, for your baby’s safety.
Reason 6: Gear Problems
Sometimes displaced gears trigger grinding noises.
How to Fix the Baby Swing
If the problem is the gears, you can try weighing down the swing, which may help click the gears back into place. To do that, place something heavier than your baby in the swing. You could use a melon or even a medicine ball for weight.
Turn on the swing and after you remove the weight, if the problem was in the gears, the sound should be gone.
Beware, though, a grinding sound is likely a cause for alarm. It can be an indication that there’s a serious issue with the motor that needs immediate attention. We recommend you reach out to the swing’s manufacturer for solutions to make sure that it’s safe for use.
Motor Problems
Apart from a grinding noise, problems with a baby swing motor can manifest itself in other forms. Your swing may not turn on or have slow performance.
To go about this DIY project, you need to have a few things on hand:
- An automatic air freshener dispenser, which will be used for the replacement motor
- Screwdriver
- Soldering Gun
- Electrical tape
Before you start, make sure that the power isn’t connected to the swing.
Step 1: Take Out The Air Freshener’s Motor
Using the screwdriver, pop out the screws on the back of the dispenser. Inside you’ll find a couple of gears held in place by screws. Unscrew those as well, and pop the gears off. This should reveal the motor.
Remove the motor by unfastening it and cutting off the plastic clip. Set the motor aside till it’s time to place it in the swing. This may differ from one dispenser type to the other, but the steps should remain more or less the same.
Step 2: Take the Baby Swing Apart
Using the appropriate screwdriver that fits your swing’s screws, carefully take them out. If the screws are different sizes, lay them out in such a way so you can easily put them back where they belong.
Lift the top carefully, so as not to disturb the wiring. If you yank it too hard, you may cut off the wires as they’re only a few inches short. Depending on the swing model and brand, you may need to unscrew and remove a few more parts inside to reach the motor.
Step 3: Replace the Motor
To replace the motor, you need to desolder the capacitor, diode, and wires from the old motor and attach them to the new one. Use a soldering gun to detach them, then secure them with electrical tape to the new one.
Pay attention to the polarity to ensure it matches the old motor’s polarity asl well.
Step 4: Put Everything Back In Place
Repeat all you just did backward to assemble the baby swing again. I like to record the dismantling process so I can go back to check where everything goes.
Step 5: Check the Swing
This is the most important step. Test the swing to make sure that it’s functioning properly before you place your baby in it. If you prefer to use an original spare part, then you can always purchase a replacement motor for your swing. Most name brands, such as Graco and Fisher-Price, offer this option.
However, in some cases, a DIY solution may not cut it. You may need to contact the manufacturer for servicing. On other occasions, you could potentially need to replace the whole swing.
Safety Tips
Your baby’s safety should always come first. The American Academy of Pediatrics has some general rules to help ensure your baby stays safe.
Here are a few tips that’ll help keep you on track.
Always Watch Your Baby
Although you may be tempted to leave your baby in the swing and go about your daily chores, we advise against that.
Even though your little one is most likely safe in the swing, you should always keep your eye on them in case of any mishaps.
Keep It on the Floor
Placing the baby swing on a table, couch, or any other place other than the floor isn’t a wise move. Always make sure to place it on the floor and ensure that it’s leveled
Use the Safety Harness
Properly strapping in your baby helps ensure their safety. They’re less likely to bump themselves or fall out of the swing.
Follow the Weight Limit
Make sure that you don’t exceed the swing’s weight limit to avoid any accidents.
Final Thoughts
Baby swings are a blessing to any parent, so knowing how to fix them is quite the perk. Problems with your swing can have simple solutions such as a balance fix or a quick battery change.
In other instances, the solution may be a bit more elaborate, such as needing to fix the motor. Always follow the safety instructions and check that the swing is secure to help ensure your baby is safe and happy!
We hope you found this article on how to fix a baby swing informative and useful. Baby swings provide parents with precious time, and we want to make sure they stay functioning as long as possible.