Bouncer
After getting a new born baby, a parent wants to be as prepared for the baby as possible.
It is common to come up with a list of the items to purchase in preparation for the newborn.
Among the first questions a parent will ask is what they need to buy to ensure their baby is as comfortable as should be, once they arrive.
The next common question for parents to ask is which bouncer to get to assist you keep the baby comfortable when you are not able to hold them in your arms.
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Baby bouncers are also great for soothing the baby and keeping them entertained.
They range from basic bouncers that have no music or vibration to more advanced ones that are active and have all these music-producing and vibrating gadgets in them.
This article will help you reach a conclusion on the best bouncer to get for your baby.
You are definitely wondering what you need to look out for when buying a baby bouncer.
Here are the guidelines:
Versatility
Some bouncers are more versatile than others. Some can even double up as swings or mimic soothing sounds like car rides.
While it may be difficult to tell exactly how much of this your baby can take, it is also good to understand that the greater the variety in usage, the better.
Seat
Ensure that the baby bouncer you get for your baby has a seat that is easily washable.
You should be able to use a washing machine and even the dryer on it.
The seat should be plush with padding on the frame to keep the baby comfortable.
The head supports should be cushioned and possibly removable to allow the baby to grow with them.
Also, look out for the harness.
It should be three-point or five-point.
The harness is useful in case the baby slides off the bouncer.
It ensures the baby is buckled in the bouncer.
Be on the lookout for the seat incline.
While younger babies may be more comfortable with a reclined position, older ones may prefer an upright position.
Take this into consideration.
Frame
The importance of the frame is that it supports and elevates the bouncer to keep the baby secure.
On this, avoid bouncers with plastic frames for the simple reason that they are less sturdy.
Consider getting a bouncer with a wider frame as it reduces the chances of the baby tipping over.
To avoid the seat moving while bouncing, get a bouncer with feet that are non-slip.
Features
A baby bouncer has different features, depending on whether it is a basic or active bouncer.
An active bouncer may contain a toy bar, sound and music.
It could also have MP3 player, vibrating seat, motion, AC adapter, straps, seat cover among others.
Look out for a bouncer that can entertain your baby with color, pictures, and mirrors among others.
This will keep the baby happy and busy while on the bouncer.
It is also important to consider just how much sound your baby can take, so that on the other hand, you do not overwhelm the little one.
Some bouncers even play music, keeping the baby well entertained.
There are also models which allow you to play your own music by connecting your phone or being able to stream music on them.
In that sense, you have the chance to have your choice music for your baby.
Keep your baby happy!
Price
Just like any other item, baby bouncers come in a range of prices.
They do not all cost the same price.
Some cost fifty dollars while others get to as high as several hundred dollars.
Obviously, the ones that cost higher have more features while those that cost less are more basic and do not have as many features.
Consider your pocket size before purchasing a bouncer.
Get the bouncer that suits your budget but also ensure it will serve you right.
Do not compromise the quality of the bouncer to get a cheaper one.
By the end of the day, you want your baby happy and comfortable.
Things to note when using a baby bouncer
Among the things to note when using a baby bouncer is that you must always use it on a flat and solid surface.
This is because if you use it on an otherwise uneven surface it may not be well supported and the baby may fall over.
At the same time, ensure that it is not placed on an elevated surface.
An elevated surface increases the risk of the bouncer falling over with the baby and causing a bad accident.
You must also ensure that you use the safety harnesses at all times while the bouncer is in use.
Always ensure that the harness and the straps are pulled tight.
Finally, avoid moving the bouncer when the baby is on it.
Only move it when it is empty.
This avoids accidents that may easily occur while moving the bouncer.
Let us now consider each one of them individually.
Among the baby bouncers we will look at are Baby Bjorn, Bright Starts, 4moms and Fisher-Price.
Baby Bjorn
Baby Bjorn is one of the most popular baby bouncers.
It is able to transform in form from a newborn bassinet to a toddler chair if you just flip the cover of the seat.
Features
It has a sleek design through which it is able to soothe cranky babies.
Many parents opt to get it also because of its long shelf life.
It can accommodate children of up to two years of age, hence worth its price.
Besides, it helps in the development of balance and gross motor skills in the child when the baby attains 8 pounds.
This is done by allowing the baby to bounce by using their own movement.
It is also JPMA certified therefore you do not have to worry about neck placement.
The bouncer is able to support the baby properly.
The bouncer has four angles in which it can be put, right from fully upright to a folded flat angle.
Besides, it feels quite sturdy on the floor and it is easy to keep the baby secure simply by pressing the three-point button.
It is common for blowouts and spit ups to happen.
A Baby Bjorn bouncer is good for this because it has a washable cover which helps you ensure that it is clean throughout.
This is important because your baby should be kept within the most hygienic places.
The bouncer is movable in four directions which are dependent on whether the baby is playing or resting.
It is also foldable for times when it is not in use or when traveling or when you wish to store it away.
Another plus for the Baby Bjorn bouncer is that it comes in eight solid colors which are great and blend easily with your decor.
Pros of Baby Bjorn Bouncer
It has a clean and modern design which makes it adorable both to look at and to use.
It can be folded flat to save on space, especially when you are traveling. This comes handy because you need the most space freed up for comfortable travels.
It allows the baby to sit on it in three different angles. It has been made with a lot of creativity and putting the child’s welfare in mind.
It is washable using a machine, making it quite easy to wash and keep clean.
It has long shelf life because a baby can use it up to when they attain two years of age. This is a plus compared to other baby bouncers that last six months or so or go with the baby’s weight.
It does not take up a lot of space like most other baby bouncers. It is ideal for small spaces as it does not require too much space to be set up.
You do not need batteries or power to have the bouncer running because it does not produce vibrating movements or music. You therefore save up on money you would have used to purchase batteries.
It comes in a variety of many solid colors, giving you an array of options to choose from. The many colors also make it possible for the bouncer to blend easily with your décor in the house.
It is also light, which makes carrying it not to be very cumbersome. It weighs about 5 pounds only! The other plus to this as mentioned earlier is that it is foldable. These two factors make carrying the bouncer quite easy, especially when traveling.
You can use it for multiple babies, meaning after one baby outgrows it you can use it on another one if you have one. This is made possible by its durability and the fact that it can be washed and folded, and folded nicely for storage. In the end this saves on your budget.
It can be used for newborns because of its great design that ensures neck support for the baby. You should however note that for newborns it is advisable to use only the lowest recline until the baby can comfortably hold his head up.
It also helps develop the baby’s motor skills and balance by allowing him to rely on natural bouncing.
Cons of Baby Bjorn Bouncer
It is sold separately from the toy bar. This causes you to spend more money as compared to other bouncer models which come with their toy bars. Mind you, the toy bar is quite expensive – goes at 60 dollars- which makes many parents who use Baby Bjorn not to onside getting one.
It is noiseless and does not vibrate, which makes it not ideal for babies who enjoy the vibration and noise. It may not soothe the baby easily as compared to other baby bouncers that have vibration noise and music.
It is rather expensive compared to other baby bouncers. It costs about three times other ordinary swings, getting it to be among the most expensive baby bouncers. If you wish to go for it you have to work on your budget and ensure you have enough money to purchase one.
It only comes in eight colors. If you would like to have a color that is not among the ones it comes in, then you may find a bit of trouble. It is a bit limited in its colors.
It does not totally act as a swing too, requiring you to get a separate swing for the baby. You might still need an electric swing to help the baby go to sleep or sleep longer.
Bright Starts Playful Pinwheels Bouncer
This is basically an activity baby bouncer which means that it has features such as a vibrating seat, a music station, a toy bar and such.
Bright Starts is good if you are looking to spend less and save more.
However, you must be warned that it has shorter shelf life as compared to other bouncers.
This means in the end you may need to buy another bouncer if you need one for a new baby.
Features
It uses batteries to soothe the baby vibrating.
Its design is bright and colorful, helping to keep the baby engaged with toys in its toy bar.
There is also a mirror that helps with coordination and motor skills.
The bouncer has a three-point harness which holds the baby safely for up to six months.
The cover is also washable, which ensures that it is clean all the time despite the messes the baby might make on it.
Pros of Bright Starts
It has a mirror, which helps with keeping the baby busy.
It is good for helping the baby with his fine motor skills because of its design and functionality.
It has a vibration mode which soothes the baby and helps them go to sleep easily. The vibration also entertains the baby. It is good for children who enjoy sounds and noise.
It has a toy bar which is good for babies as it keeps them entertained. The good thing also is that you do not purchase the toy bar separately, saving you a lot of money.
It has a breathable cover which allows for air flow. The cover also ensures that the baby is comfortable at all times when on the bouncer.
Its seat is removable and the machine is washable. This helps keep it clean and available for use from time to time. The cleanliness is also good for the baby’s health.
It is relatively cheaper as compared to Baby Bjorn which saves you some money while at the same time you get a variety of service and are able to entertain the baby.
It has great safety features which makes it rank above other baby bouncers.
Cons of Bright Starts
It is much heavier as compared to Baby Bjorn which has less gadgets, hence is lighter. Bright Starts has gadgets that make it heavier. It can be a little cumbersome to handle because of the weight.
It does not bounce as high as Baby Bjorn, which is more of a basic bouncer, due to its additional weight that is produced by the gadgets that make it an active bouncer.
It is not so easy to carry around as compared to Baby Bjorn and other basic baby bouncers. It is a bit cumbersome when you want to move it from one point to another.
In order to keep it vibrating, you need to have a constant supply of batteries which increases the budget and makes you spend more as compared to using basic baby bouncers such as Baby Bjorn.
It requires the baby to be able to support his head firmly before using the bouncer. It is not good for very young babies, especially newborns. This is unlike Baby Bjorn which offers great comfort for toddlers.
It has shorter shelf life as compared to other baby bouncers. It lasts about six months of usage. This could eventually have an impact on your budget.
4moms rockaRoo Classic Infant Seat
4moms rockaRoo is arguably the most technologically advanced baby bouncer.
It almost seems like a spaceship.
It is called a seat (because technically it is a seat) but it also doubles up as a baby bouncer.
Features
It has five motion settings which mimic sounds like a kangaroo, a car ride, a wave, a tree swing and a rock a bye.
You also have the option of choosing from four sounds that are in-built or connecting it to your smartphone so that you can play music.
You may also use it to move the seat. The toys that are overhead are reversible.
The seat can also be reclining to a sit up position or a rest position.
The bouncer is a 3-in-one item as it allows for bouncing and swinging and also comes as a seat.
It requires plugging in to a power outlet but the good thing is that it does not require batteries.
It accommodates babies of up to 25 pounds.
The baby can also outgrow the bouncer once they are able to sit up.
Pros of 4moms rockaRoo Classic Infant Seat
It has sounds that help keep the baby entertained. Also, to the baby’s advantage, you get to choose the sounds suitable for your baby from its variety. It has cricket sound, ocean wave sound, the sound of running water and two white noise sounds. This variety is good as it ensures the baby never gets bored.
It uses an AC adopter, making you not worry about getting replaceable batteries from time to time. This saves you money as you only get the adopter once and use it from there henceforth.
It is Bluetooth enabled, making it easier for you to control the sound and motion on it using your smartphone or other device.
It allows for kids to use it until they weigh 25 pounds. This will take some time of usage.
The seat also allows for reclining to any position beneath the seat curve.
It comes in six designs and colors which provide you with a variety to choose from, giving you more options as compared to other bouncers which are more limited.
Its footprint is way smaller as compared to that of other bouncers.
It acts both as a bouncer and a seat, saving you money if you had to buy the two items separately. It doubles up so well and even saves on space that you would have otherwise used had the two been separate.
Cons of 4moms rockaRoo Classic Infant Seat
It turns off automatically after four hours of usage, which may be disadvantageous if you wish to use it longer.
It comes in six colors only. This may be limiting if it does not come in the color you prefer or the color that matches with your décor.
It is quite expensive, perhaps because of its technological advancement, but it is totally worth the price.
Its seat is shallow. This makes the possibility of accidents and the baby falling over from the seat to be high. Remember when we were looking at what you need to consider before purchasing a bouncer, we said the seat must be comfortable and not too shallow.
The bouncer’s speed is much slower as compared to that of other bouncers. This may not give the baby all the fun and comfort that they need. It may actually not be very entertaining for the baby.
Technology upgrades are generally expensive compared to other bouncers that do not use so much technology like 4moms.
Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Deluxe Bouncer
This bouncer comes in handy when you are tired of holding your baby in your arms.
It comes in handy to help you free your hands and manage other tasks or simply rest alongside the baby.
It is very cute just as much as it is safe.
Features
It is battery-operated, but is an amazing substitute because of its unmatched coziness.
It has been specially designed to offer the baby coziness and to be snugly.
The seat is deep and plush and it has a headrest that is supportive for the baby.
Its chair has a vibration which is very gentle, and it plays music for twenty minutes.
There is also a removable mobile with a puppy and kitty to help keep the baby entertained.
The bouncer accommodates babies of up to 25pounds or until they can sit up without assistance.
If you keep them longer after they can sit up independently, they suffer the risk of tipping over hence you should be on the lookout for this.
This bouncer also requires to be assembled before you start using it.
As such, you should do this before the baby is born.
It is also notable that it is a big model so if you do not have much space in your house this may not be the best option for you.
Pros of Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Deluxe Bouncer
It has the ability to play sounds for up to twenty minutes, which is enough time to keep the baby distracted while you go about your other business.
It has a volume control option at the sound machine. This helps you adjust the level of the volume you want the as the music plays.
It has a removable overhead mobile which also has plush animals. All this keeps the baby entertained.
Its seat is plush and cushy, ensuring that the baby is very comfortable while on it. It also has extra support for the head where needed.
It is made with a vibrating mode which is essential both for soothing and calming the baby.
It is machine washable and easy to clean on the seat pad. This makes it more comfortable for the baby and easier to handle for the parent as it is removable.
You do not have to worry about the baby’s security as its three-point harness holds the baby firmly in place.
Its legs are also slip-resistant, which is a plus on the baby’s security side. It ensures that the baby does not fall over with the bouncer.
Cons of Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Deluxe Bouncer
It requires batteries for the vibrations and sounds to play. This gives you an additional expense to your budget that you will have to plan for in order to keep purchasing batteries.
It may not be very ideal for an older baby since it does not have very many additional items to entertain them. They may find it a bit boring, forcing you to have to buy them a more entertaining one or other items to keep them entertained.
It is a bit more costly than many other bouncers for its simplicity and cuteness.
It is rather big therefore may not be good for you if you have limited space in your house or the baby’s room.
Being big, it is a bit cumbersome to keep carrying from one place to another.
It is limited in use in that it only accommodates babies of up to 25 pounds in weight. It does not have such a long shelf life as some others like Baby Bjorn bouncer.
Infant-to-Toddler Rocker – Fisher-Price
The Infant-to-Toddler bouncer is the best when it comes to shelf life.
It has long shelf life which means it can accommodate your baby up to the time they weigh 40 pounds!
Features
The long shelf life is possible because the toy bar is removable, giving your toddler space to sit and use it as a rocking chair for much longer.
It therefore acts both as a bouncer when the baby is an infant and when they grow into a toddler.
A plus to this is that the toy bar has toys that encourage your infant to reach out to them, which helps in sharpening their motor skills.
For fussy babies, it is possible to soothe them by turning on the music in the bouncer.
The machine is also washable therefore it can be kept clean and be used for its long shelf life.
Pros of Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker
Its long shelf life is the most obvious and most remarkable pro. It ensures that the baby uses it even as they outgrow the infant stage into more of a toddler. It is possible to convert it into a toddler rocker as the baby grows.
It has a deep cradle seat which ensures safety for the baby. It ensures that the baby does not easily fall off the bouncer.
It has vibrations which are soothing and calming for the baby.
Its overhead toy bar which has bat-at toys helps the baby exercise their motor and balance skills as the baby tries to reach out, play and bat with them.
Its seat pad is easy to wash and actually machine washable. This keeps the baby comfortable and happy.
Cons of Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker
It is a bit big and therefore may be a bit cumbersome to store away and move around from place to place.
It requires you to keep getting batteries for the music to continue playing.
Its vibration may not be ideal for a baby who does not enjoy it.
Is the Fisher Price bouncer safe?
Yes, Fisher-Price bouncer is totally safe for your baby.
It is made with the best material available which makes a soft and durable product for your baby’s long-term use.
Its automatic bouncers are ideal and perfect for the baby’s play and resting.
Conclusion
Baby bouncers are great for keeping the baby entertained or soothing them when you are not available to do it physically.
They are a must-have item for any parent who has small babies.
They come in handy when you cannot hold the baby in your arms or when you are tired.
They also help when you need to perform some other tasks.
As such, you better do your research well before getting one because you most definitely want a bouncer that will serve you well and for long.