K.R.
I love the papasan swing. I also got another swing I forget the name but it has fishes on it and it has a globe that lights up with little fishes in it. My baby loved that one because of the colors. There was a whole line of aquarium themed stuff last year but it was great. She also loved the papasan which was at my mother in laws house. The swing was a life saver. Swing sideways or front and back, well that does not matter to much at least to my little girl, but each baby is different. Good Luck. FYI: I bought both at Babies r us.