“Parents need ways to keep their baby eye to eye while they do other things,” Molly O’Shea, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Birmingham Pediatrics in Michigan, explains to Verywell Family. “A bouncy seat is a great way to keep your baby entertained and safe while you either get some alone time or get things done [while still watching them].” When all safety guidelines are followed, these little bouncing seats can do wonders for a crying baby while engaging them in sensory play and promoting their gross and fine motor development. We carefully considered design, value, material, ease of cleaning, and other features when reviewing products. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also says that “bouncers should be placed in stable locations [on the floor, not elevated surfaces], and safety restraints should be used to protect infants from falling.” And you should discontinue the use of the bouncer when your baby “can sit up alone, or weighs 20 pounds, or reaches the weight limit on the label.” The bouncer features a head cushion that can be removed when the baby outgrows it, a three-point harness that can be adjusted to fit the baby, and the lining of the seat can be removed and thrown into the washing machine and dryer. Dimensions: 23 x 19 x 23 inches | Product Weight: 3.98 pounds | Age Range: 0-6 months | Weight Limit: 19.84 pounds | Batteries Required: Yes Dimensions: 23.62 x 15.75 x 16.14 inches | Product Weight: 8.5 pounds | Age Range: NB to 5M | Weight Limit: 20 pounds | Batteries Required: Yes | Price at time of publication: $65 Dimensions: 28 x 18 x 21 inches | Product Weight: 4.5 pounds | Age Range: NB to 6M | Weight Limit: 20 pounds | Batteries Required: No | Price at time of publication: $100 Parents and caregivers will love that this bouncer folds flat for easy storage. And, if you want to raise your little one up to see you better, simply adjust the bouncer’s height with one hand. The bouncer is lightweight, weighing about 5.5 pounds, making it perfect for traveling. Dimensions: 28.5 x 17 x 19 inches | Product Weight: 5.5 pounds | Age Range: Newborn and up | Weight Limit: 20 pounds | Batteries Required: No | Price at time of publication: $110 Once your baby sits up and grows out of the bouncer design, it can be converted to a stationary seat for further use. Also, it has a removable seat cover that can be safely machine-washed and dried. Dimensions: 17.5 x 30.75 x 29.2 inches | Product Weight: 4.1 pounds | Age Range: NB to 12M | Weight Limit: 40 pounds | Batteries Required: Yes | Price at time of publication: $80 Designed to mold to the baby’s body, your baby’s head and back will be properly supported as they grow and develop. The seat cover is removable and can be machine-washed, and when the chair isn’t in use it folds down flat for easy storage. Dimensions: 36.5 x 15.6 x 4.4 inches | Product Weight: 1 pounds | Age Range: NB to 2Y | Weight Range: 8-29 pounds | Batteries Required: No | Price at time of publication: $210 Dimensions: 30.71 x 6.3 x 16.73 inches | Product Weight: 5.5 pounds | Age Range: NB to 6M | Weight Limit: 20 pounds | Batteries Required: Yes | Price at time of publication: $60 The light-up bar and hanging toys across the top keep your baby entertained and encourages visual engagement. There is an adjustable three-point harness for safety, a removable head support cushion, and a machine-washable seat cover. Dimensions: 24.5 x 23.5 x 23 inches | Product Weight: 8.8 pounds | Age Range: 0-6 months | Weight Limit: 30 pounds | Batteries Required: Yes | Price at time of publication: $80
What to Look for in a Baby Bouncer
Safety Features
You want to ensure that the bouncer has safety features , including a strap to keep the baby in place (but that isn’t too tight), has a stable base, and is free of any sharp edges or corners that could cause injury.
Age and Weight Recommendations
Take a peek at the bouncer’s age and weight recommendations, because while they may say they’re safe for newborns, not all newborns weigh the same. You’d want to avoid putting a 5-pound baby in a seat that has a minimum weight of 8 pounds.
Functions
Some bouncers are pretty basic and straightforward while others can be converted, collapsed, or easily traveled with. Make sure to look at all of the different function options to ensure your purchase meets your individual needs.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer, mom to a 1 and a 4-year-old, and she has personal experience in researching and using baby bouncers. Key considerations she focused on when selecting these products include safety features, effectiveness, functionality, and user reviews. Dr. O’Shea tells Verywell Family that baby bouncers can assist parents and caregivers daily. “They are [a] great way for babies who are awake to spend some time on their own while you get other things done,” she says. Just keep in mind you may want to avoid them if your baby has reflux, and a hard surface will be better for them to lie on, Dr. O’Shea explains. “Babies should not sleep in a bouncy seat due to the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Because bouncy seeds are soft and curved, there’s a risk that a baby could turn their head in a way that they would re-breathe their own carbon dioxide which is the way we believe sudden infant death syndrome occurs. Even if you’re sitting nearby your baby is still at risk of SIDS,” Dr. O’Shea says.
