Hello,
Well, you could use a convertible carseat (goes rear facing and front facing), but I liked the infant seat beacause it was easier when we went out. He was too small to sit in highchairs at restaurants and with the infant carseat when we were at a friends house he could sit and sleep in it. The swing on the other hand you could probably do without, although my son will be 9 months in a few days and still likes it once in a while
Hope it helps
best wishes,
Jen C.