Look for fabrics that are soft and breathable to avoid overheating. Additionally, make sure the lounger’s design props your baby up safely to avoid the risk of suffocation. We carefully considered design, materials, value, ease of cleaning, age and weight recommendations, and ease of use when reviewing products. Here are the best baby loungers for supervised awake time. According to Alisa Baer, MD, a pediatrician and member of the Verywell Family Medical Review Board, loungers should only be used when the baby is awake and fully supervised. She recommends loungers be placed only on the floor and never on a couch, on a bed, in a crib, or on any other surface. The Boppy Original Nursing Pillow & Positioner earns our top spot because of its versatility. While it’s recommended for babies from birth to 12 months old, older babies get the most out of using it for tummy time, and it offers support for older babies who are learning how to sit independently. The original pillow’s shape is always the same, but there are a variety of cover options to choose from. Plus, both the pillow and covers are safe for the washer and dryer for easy cleanup. While the Boppy also serves as a good prop for adults and kids who are feeding or holding the baby, little ones should never sleep on the Boppy. The company says Boppy pillows are designed for adult-supervised awake-time only, and improper use of the product may result in injury or death. Price at time of publication: $45 Price at time of publication: $45 Price at time of publication: $109 The outer cover has a baby-safe zipper, so it can be removed and tossed into the washing machine when it needs cleaning. You can also travel easily with this lounger because it’s lightweight and has a carrying handle. Babies can safely use this lounger from birth to 12 months old for supervised awake time, and should never use it as a sleep space. Price at time of publication: $60
What to Look for in a Baby Lounger
Materials
Look for fabrics that are soft and breathable to avoid overheating. Keep irritants, like chemically treated fabrics and dyes, in mind when you’re shopping. Opt for hypoallergenic materials whenever possible. Also, make sure the materials can be easily cleaned, because spit-ups and spills are bound to happen.
Design
Make sure the lounger’s design props the baby up safely without risking suffocation. Also, look for a lounger that doesn’t have loose fabric around it, because it can bunch up and become a hazard.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 1- and a 4-year-old with recent personal experience researching and using baby products. Key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include safety, longevity, pricing, and purchaser reviews. Alisa Baer, MD, a pediatrician and member of the Verywell Family Medical Review Board recommends using baby loungers only when your infant is fully supervised and awake. She also cautions that these products should be used on the floor only—never in or on any other surfaces (including beds, couches, cribs, or coffee tables). “One of my key concerns with these products,” she says, “is that the parents who are using them are the most sleep deprived. I worry that when they use these and the baby gets sleepy and fall asleep, most parents are reluctant to move a sleeping babies out of these and into a safer sleeping environment.” The bottom line: If your baby happens to fall asleep in the lounger, you’ll want to transfer them to their crib or bassinet as soon as possible. Also, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons suggests parents regularly change a baby’s position when they’re awake and lying on their back to avoid positional plagiocephaly (flattening of the head).
