Nuna has long been known for their car seats but in recent years, they have expanded to offer other sought after baby products like strollers, carriers, high chairs, play yards, diaper bags, and my favorite, their baby seat. Enter the Nuna Leaf.
The Leaf is a whole new type of minimalist baby seat: first, it’s shaped like a chic “leaf” shape, it blends into practically any living space, and it requires precisely zero electricity to run. Read on for our full Nuna Leaf swing review.
In this article:
- Nuna Leaf swing overview
- Pros + cons
- Features of the Nuna swing
- Specs + sizes
- Swing vs. sway: which will your baby prefer?
- Nuna Leaf vs. Nuna Grow: what’s the difference?
- Before you buy
- Final verdict
Nuna Leaf Baby Seat: No Power Needed
You won’t find a single cord or silly song on the Nuna Leaf. Instead, the Nuna is powerless: no batteries, cords, buzz, or noise. Caregivers give a simple push to begin the side-to-side sway that will rock for up to two minutes.
When it comes to safety and comfort, the Nuna LEAF Baby Seat goes the extra mile with its removable (and thus washable) certified organic insert. The three-point harness is thick and padded enough to provide ample support without pinching or rubbing and is fully adjustable; even suitable for the chunkiest of babes. You can also lock the base when using it as a seat and the mesh backing offers excellent temperature control.
Best of all though, the LEAF will hold shape in your space for much longer than a few months like traditional baby swings. Created to cradle a newborn first, the LEAF transitions to a unique toddler seat and beyond. Just remove the included toy bar and your baby swing turns into a cozy children’s chair that can still sway or be locked stationary.
Children up to 130 pounds can snuggle up in the Nuna LEAF long past the baby swing days.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Modern design No batteries, cords, buzz, or noise
Functional from birth to 130 lbs.
Low to the ground
Cons
May be higher than some parents’ budget
Movement only lasts two minutes
No motor
Nuna LEAF Baby Seat: Features You Will Love
When it comes to baby swings there are quite a few options out there. But the Nuna LEAF is exceptional for a number of reasons:
The modern design
Walk down the baby aisle and you might cringe a little at all the themed baby gear. It surely doesn’t match the aesthetic of your living room, does it? Nuna circumvented that issue when they designed the LEAF. With soft, neutral colors and a nature-inspired leaf shape, this swing is welcome addition to your family’s space. Truly, there isn’t a more pleasing to the eye baby swing out there (and trust me, I looked.)
Baby to big kid
One of the biggest reasons I skipped buying a baby swing with my first was because it is such a short-lived piece of equipment—you typically only get a few months of use out of it. The Nuna LEAF, however, has a weight capacity of 130 pounds, so all of my kids can comfortably sit in our LEAF. In fact, it is considered prime real estate in our living room.
Calm, quiet, and natural
Parenthood is naturally loud. Trust me when I say: you don’t need to invite extra noise into your home, visual or audio. Instead, seek calm and quiet when choosing baby gear.
I admit, I was hesitant to choose a baby swing without an on/off switch, but it has been a brilliant choice. The organic fabric and nature vibe of Nuna’s gentle sway and appearance is the perfect” leaf in the breeze” experience for babies and big kids alike.
Lots of little extras
When you are committing to a baby piece that claims longevity you come to appreciate all the little extras. I love that the baby insert is easily washed, the toy bar is included and removable, it can lock into a stationary position, and the base and seat come apart for more compact storage.
Nuna LEAF Baby Seat Size Specs
Size matters, so here’s what you’re getting with the Nuna Leaf baby seat:
Capacity
- LEAF: birth to 130 lbs.
- LEAF Grow: birth to 130 lbs.
Weight
- LEAF: 12.5 pounds
- LEAF Grow: 15.4 pounds
Dimensions
- LEAF: 28.7” long x 28” wide x 17.7” high
- LEAF Grow: 28.7” long x 28” wide x 17.7” high
Swing vs. Sway: Which Will My Baby Prefer?
Obviously, when you’re looking at if the Nuna Leaf is right for your family, you’ll want to consider the swing vs. sway motion. It’s hard to know if your baby will like the Nuna Leaf or prefer a more vigorous traditional swing moment.
It’s hard to say, but I will say that what you introduce your baby first to might make a difference. For instance, I have actually come to like that my baby isn’t being conditioned to be constantly in motion. In the LEAF, they’re cradled just fine and the beginning sway that gradually tapers seems to be the perfect medium.
The Nuna Leaf combines the best of a lot of baby equipment. Personally, I think it is the piece of baby equipment to gamble on if you are deciding between a swing, a bouncer, and an exersaucer activity center.
Nuna LEAF vs. Nuna LEAF Grow: What’s the Difference?
There are two types of Nuna Leaf swings available: the original Leaf and the Leaf Grow.
Both are available for purchase, depending on the features you find most important. However, the Grow is about $100 more than the original Leaf.
Both seats have exact same dimensions, but there are some differences:
- Infant insert. The infant insert is removable in both, but in the Grow there is a separate body and head piece for a more custom fit as your little one grows.
- Safety harness. The harness functions the same in each too, but with the Grow, you can completely remove the harness for a more streamlined look when it is acting as a child’s seat. With the LEAF, the harness just folds and nests into the seat and the child has to sit on top of the pieces.
- Positions. The LEAF has only one position–a moderate recline—while the Grow has three positions.
- Weight. The base of the LEAF is thinner and thus, lighter. The overall weight of the original Leaf is about three pounds less than the Grow.
- Nuna Wind attachment. One final consideration between the Nuna LEAF and LEAF Grow is the Wind attachment that can be purchased separately. The Wind is a small motor that attaches to the base and provides a continuous sway. The Wind functions with 2015/2016 and newer models of the Nuna LEAF (SE-20-XXX and SE-31-XXX) and is currently discontinued in the US, but available in both Canada and Australia. It is not compatible with the LEAF Grow.
Nuna LEAF Baby Seat in Action: What to Consider Before You Buy
No review is complete without noting a few things parents might want to consider before investing in a piece of baby gear.
Here are a few things you will want to think through before adding one of the Nuna LEAF models to your home:
Two models with varying features
The first thing you’ll need to decide is if you want the original Nuna Leaf swing or the LEAF Grow. The GROW offers a few features that allow it to more easily grow with your child (hence the name.) The main difference is the recline positions and removable harness.
Swing vs. sway
Although it is categorized as a swing, the LEAF doesn’t offer a traditional back and forth swinging motion. If this is what your baby loves, the LEAF might not cut it when it comes soothing them. Then again, when you think about how you rock your baby when they’re in your arms, it is more of a side-to-side sway—which is exactly what the LEAF offers.
Final Verdict
If you are looking for a simple, no-frills baby seat that doesn’t require electricity for power, you will adore the Nuna LEAF. The darling leaf design and gentle, quiet sway will bring a calming peace to your home that baby products tend to discredit.
Additionally, the quality is impeccable and thanks to its unique design, the Nuna LEAF can be a long-lasting piece of baby gear that lasts far beyond those early months. In my book, that makes the investment worthwhile. In fact, just today, my five-year-old grabbed his blanket and settled in.
All in all, our family gives the Nuna LEAF major props. From design to function, the LEAF is a wonderful piece of baby gear for parents to consider.
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