D.R.
We have a swing that swings side to side or front to back. Honestly we never swing it front to back, both my kids loved the swing! If nothing else could calm them down, the swing could. I read in a book, Happiest Baby on the Block (which I recommend to everyone), that the movement on the head side to side actually calms babies down. I guess that is why both my kids liked the side to side swing and never liked the front to back. I hope this helps!
Good Luck,
D.