Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Good, better, best: 3 baby bouncers your little one will love

A baby bouncer is one of those items you don’t absolutely “need,” but trust us when we say there will come a day when you desperately want one. It’s nice to have a place to put a fussy or bored baby; like all of us, a little one can benefit from a change of scenery and a fresh perspective. A bouncer gives them a designated place to recline, play, and, yes, bounce to their heart’s content (aka burn energy so they’ll nap later).

Of course, there are lots of baby bouncers to choose from. While some might be grouped with swings and fancy 360-degree rotating options, we’re going to distinctly classify them as a simple seat that bounces up and down and/or subtly sways. They may be battery-operated or propelled by a gentle push from Mom or Dad (or, better yet by the crazy kicks of an excited infant). Pretty straightforward, right? You can find bouncy seats at a wide array of price points — and it’s hard to decide whether to go simple and affordable or sleek and splurge-worthy — so we’re breaking down the choices.

Related Videos

Good: Fisher-Price Comfort Curve Bouncer

Your little one’s natural wiggles will make this seat gently rock and bounce. Self-controlled motion encourages fine motor movement, while two cute and colorful overhead toys stimulate Baby’s visual-tracking skills. The seat features a three-point restraint harness for optimal safety and security. (It should be noted that while this seat is not battery-operated for bouncing, it does have a separate vibration feature.) This seat can be used for babies weighing up to about 20 pounds.

Better: Ingenuity DreamComfort SmartBounce Automatic Bouncer

If Baby doesn’t seem keen on self-soothing or bouncing, try an automatic bouncer option that works to mimic your natural movement. Created with multiple speed settings, you can find the “bounce” that makes your baby happy or relaxed. The super-soft and snuggly fabrics promote airflow, while a removable head-support bolster cushion secures a newborn cozily in place. There are two plush overhead toys, and this bouncer can even soothe your sweetheart with 12 tunes and four white noise/nature modes. This can be used for babies 5 to 20 pounds — or approximately until 6 months of age.

Best: BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft

Ergonomically designed for comfort and efficiency, the BabyBjörn bouncer is soft and cozy. It’s designed to support a little one’s head, neck, and back, and to evenly distribute weight for optimal comfort. At first, your infant might just sit in this bouncer and enjoy the new angle and perspective, but soon enough they’ll learn how to get the bouncing party started (you’ll be amazed at how quickly they get the hang of it!). It is a decisively low-tech option, but one that provides hours of endless engagement. What’s more, this “do-it-yourself” bouncer helps Baby develop those all-important balance and motor skills. It offers three positions for playing, resting, and portable transporting — yes, you can fold it flat and take it on the go! It’s suitable for babies weighing 8 to 29 pounds.

Whatever your budget, your little bouncing baby will enjoy having their own special seat for playtime and relaxation. It can calm your cutie-pie down or rev them up and help them channel that extra energy. Either way, it’s important to remember that a bouncer is not suitable for overnight or nap-time sleep — especially once a little one starts rolling over (this can present a major suffocation risk). As a busy parent, you will likely appreciate having a bouncer as much as your baby does; it’ll free up your arms for a bit, so you can get stuff done around the house. It’s a win-win, really — so start browsing our picks and bounce on over to buy one.

Editors' Recommendations

Your baby fell off the bed! Do these 3 things immediately to ensure proper care for your child
Follow these three steps if your baby fell of their bed
Baby girl taking a nap on the bed

Believe it or not, it can happen to anybody. In fact, babies falling off beds is the leading cause of injuries for children. You happen to have your baby laying on your bed — away from the edge, no less. You turn around for just a few seconds and then… your baby fell off the bed. What do you do? First off, you’ll need to keep from panicking, as difficult as that may be. Taking a deep breath and making some initial observations is a vital step to ensure your baby gets the right help. Additionally, we have some advice for you to follow in case this unfortunate accident happens to your child.

What to do if your baby fell off the bed to avoid further injury
Remain calm and gauge the situation
The first step poses a challenge to any parent’s natural instinct to want to pick up their child. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, one of the most important pieces of advice for what to do if a baby falls off the bed is to not pick them up. In fact, moving your child could make things worse if they sustained a head or neck injury as a result of the fall. Therefore, unless your child is at risk for further injury, you should not move him or her.

Read more
7 avocado-based baby food combinations your baby will love
These simple avocado baby food recipes are lip-smacking good
Baby in highchair eating avocado puree

Avocado baby food offers a nutritious first step in solid foods for babies. To begin with, avocados contain 20 vitamins and minerals, including folate, potassium, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E, and K, plus several variants of vitamin B. In addition, avocados are packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats without no cholesterol or sodium. Avocados are very low in saturated fat, too. Babies need omega-3 fatty acids to promote brain and eye development, and avocados are one of the fattiest plant foods that are a great source of oleic acid, an important omega-3 that's also found in olive oil.
Conveniently, avocados are also soft and easy for babies to gum and swallow. They're simple for busy parents and caregivers to mash with a fork or puree in a food processor. Plus, avocados are easy to combine with other healthy foods for simple baby foods. So, which avocado baby foods should you make at home? Here are seven simple recipe ideas for your little one to enjoy that are a snap to make.

Easy, fun-flavored yummy avocado/fruit puree
For a quick avocado baby food meal, puree avocado in a food processor or small blender with a sweet fruit, and your baby will gobble it up. Here are some fruits that make a tasty combination with avocado:

Read more
One of these cool science baby names options will be perfect for your future scientist
If a science baby name is the unique path for you, look at our list
A baby laying on a chalk drawing of outer space

After being asked if you know if your baby will be a boy or a girl, the next question is usually about what name you've picked. Choosing a name for your baby is one of the first major decisions you will make as parents. Deciding between a unique name, incorporating a family name, or keeping up with the hottest name trend can be tough.

If you hope the name you choose will help shape who your child becomes, a science-themed baby name will give you an endless list to choose from. Find a name with a deeper meaning or a scientific role model for your kid to look up to. Whether you love nature, innovation, or space, there are a ton of inspirational options for science baby names. And we have a list of the best ones for your little one.

Read more