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Whether you are new parents or you’ve just added a sibling, welcoming a new human into the family can be daunting. Most new parents will spend at least half of their time with a baby in one arm, whilst they try and keep everyday life continuing. One of the most useful accessories you can invest in when a newborn arrives is a baby bouncer.
There are a variety of designs - door frame bouncers, rocker chairs, vibrating or swinging seats and even 360 degree stationary-yet-rotating jumper seats! To help you choose between chic and minimal, flashy and interactive, we’ve created this guide to show you the best options for newborns and toddlers, available in the UK, from Amazon, Argos and John Lewis.
Dr Jonathan Henderson is a consultant paediatrician who practices for the NHS and his award-winning private practice. His medical qualifications (MB, BAO and BCh) were all completed at Queen's University Belfast in 2007. He then obtained his membership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2012 and later became a college fellow in 2019. In addtion to his clinical work, he contributes to e-learning programmes and teaches paediatrics internationally to other healthcare professionals. Dr Henderson, who is on the speciality register of the General Medical Council, has a keen interest in promoting quality improvement in paediatrics and has presented work both regionally and nationally.
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Dr Jonathan Henderson is a consultant paediatrician practising for the NHS, as well as privately. His medical qualifications (MB, BAO and BCh) were all completed at Queen's University Belfast in 2007.
He then obtained his membership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2012. In addition to his clinical work, he contributes to e-learning programmes and teaches paediatrics internationally to other healthcare professionals. Check out more about him on his website.
A bouncer or rocker chair can be relatively simple and affordable, with one position and one rocking motion provided by the baby moving itself. Or, you can opt for a motorised chair, with impressive multiple inclines, movement options, vibrating pads, elaborate toy bars, lights, lullabies and sounds to soothe.
Bouncer or rocker chairs are generally aimed at younger babies, although if there is a high weight limit and multiple positions then older babies can still enjoy them. However the wide base of these chairs, which helps with stability, means they will take up a fair amount of floor space.
I find bouncer or rocker chairs great for your kids to look around and take in their surroundings rather than just tummy time alone. This also helps with moulding their head shape as they could look around themselves whilst using the entertainment options for developing their coordination, fine motor skills, finding their hands and feet and listening to their surroundings.
This also prevents them from needing to be cuddled all the time, as they feel supported and can still see you while you get on with that task list in the same room.
Jumpers are usually aimed at older babies from 5-6 months, or at the age from when the child can comfortably support their head, so they are not immediately useful to brand new parents. They can be (compact) door jumpers or stationary-yet-rotating floor-based jumpers (which will admittedly take up a lot of room).
When it comes to door jumpers, as the name suggests, you’re going to need a sturdy and standard-construction door frame. This is because the swing will be clamped to the frame, and the baby will then use their leg muscles to push against the floor and create movement. This sensation delights babies (which is a joy to watch) and gives them their first sense of autonomy. However over-use of door bouncers can lead to serious hip joint complications, so use sparingly.
The stationary floor-based jumpers are suitable for longer periods of jumping fun, as your baby is very well supported in the seat. They have 360 degree movement thanks to a clever rotating seat insert, allowing them to access the toys placed around the perimeter of the jumper, and overhead!
Door jumpers might provide a sense of autonomy, but they are not the safest option. A stationary entertainment station would be more appropriate than a door jumper. There are reported concerns that unnecessary strain is applied to the hip joints, which can cause developmental hip disorders as your child grows and may not be evident until later (over 10months of age and above).
If you’re looking for a bouncer chair that is going to last you longer than a few months, you’ll want to check if the seat has different incline positions. This is because newborns need a reclined position, whereas older babies prefer to sit more upright. So, if you make a purchase that has multiple reclining positions, it can adapt as your baby grows, and save you having to buy a new one further down the line.
Here are other mybest recommended baby products you may be interested in - swaddle blankets, nappy rash creams and nursing covers for breastfeeding.
Life with a baby isn’t static – when meeting with family members and other new parents, having a portable bouncer can be handy. Some can fold away, whether flat or just a little smaller, which is great for transportation. It’s also a feature worth considering if you live in smaller accommodation because, as we mentioned, bouncers can take up a lot of floor space with their wide base.
Being able to store away clutter or bulky items not being used can help reduce accidents in the home. Where rockers may not be taken to other households as commonly as other items for a growing child, a foldable yet stable rocker is a good option to consider.
You’ll want to consider is the weight limit, as each bouncer and swing will come with a maximum capacity that has been determined by the manufacturer. The weight limit will also give you a good indication of how soon your baby will outgrow the chair - a higher weight limit will mean that they get more use out of it.
Below we've provided some average weights for babies in the UK. Hopefully, this will help you gauge how long each product will last:
Always be sure to check the manufacturer's guidance that has been tested for your child's safety. This will reduce the chance of accidents or harm coming to you or your child when using and enjoying the bouncer.
The entertainment features are important because all that bouncing and jumping can be tiring for those little limbs, so with additional toys, your baby will be able to stay amused a while longer. Be aware though, some of these may require batteries or a plug socket. Toy bars are the most common addition, they provide some fun and also help your baby hone their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Lights (flashing or mellow) and sounds such as music, lullabies or simply nature sounds can be soothing or energising, but either way they will provide entertainment. The premium products will also have rocking / vibration options, which many babies find very comforting.
Those first few years of life are so crucial for child development. Don't worry about trying to get everything on the entertainment panel. Look for sensory items - lights, sounds, fabric with texture, beads, and mirrors, for example, that help with those early fine motor, sensory, coordination and play skills that are a joy to watch and interact with.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4Moms MamaRoo Rocker|Classic Grey | £249.00 High | A Premium Rocker Which Moves Like You Do | ||
2 | Graco Bumper Jumper Doorway Jumper|Bear Trail | £39.99 Low Mid | A Door Bouncer With a Bumper Tray for Added Safety | ||
3 | Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo | £79.99 Mid | Colourful 360 Degree Rotating Seat Bouncer to Entertain and Delight | ||
4 | Ingenuity ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat | £69.99 Mid | A 2-in-1 Vibrating Chair to Bring to Comfort Fussy Babies | ||
5 | BABABING Float Baby Bouncer | £39.99 Low Mid | Simple Lightweight Bouncer for Use Up to 6 Months | ||
6 | Munchkin Bounce and Play Door Bouncer | £29.16 Low | A Cute, Crinkly Budget Door Jumper | ||
7 | Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker|Pacific Pebble | £49.99 Low Mid | A Bouncer-Come-Toddler-Seat With an Impressive 18 kg Weight Limit | ||
8 | Maxi-Cosi Kori Rocker | £97.00 Mid | A Great Choice if You Need Something Foldable and Travel-Friendly, Which Looks Stylish Too | ||
9 | Baby Einstein Neptune's Ocean Discovery Activity Jumper | £100.00 High Mid | For Those Who Value Entertainment Features the Most | ||
10 | BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss 3D | £189.00 High Mid | Stylishy Offers Plenty of Incline Positions - Usable From Birth to Toddlerhood |
The chic looking, hi-tech MamaRoo seat is an investment but it is unquestionably worth it if you have a baby who won't settle unless in your arms. The 5 rocking and swinging motions mimic the ways we naturally rock a baby plus there's even a 'car ride' option! Movement speed can be altered, using the buttons or via Bluetooth on your phone, so as not to disturb your baby.
The entertainment options also include four soothing sounds of rain, ocean, heartbeat and fan, there is also a colourful mirrored toy suspended over the chair. The seat can recline to multiple positions, allowing your baby to sit up and watch you or recline and chill out. You do need to purchase the baby insert separately however, if you'd like to use this seat with a newborn.
Graco's design features an ingenious tray attachment - allowing you to place more toys on to extend play times. Bets of all the padded edges of the 'bumper' tray help to stop bashes into walls, which can often occur with a standard door bouncer.
There is a soft high-back nylon seat (which is luckily easily removed and machine washable), a sturdy-but-bouncy spring and super strong clamps (with a hidden safety cord). The inclusion of non-twist straps make getting your baby in and out a straightforward experience.
The rainforest Jumperoo is an excellent choice for alert babies with good head control and suitable core strength (so 4 months +). They will learn to rotate themselves 360 degrees to access all 12 of the colourful, noisy ad light-up rainforest toys on the surrounding tray. The clever placement of the toys encourages jumping and stretching, making this an excellent way to tire out your baby!
The music is varied and catchy, or there is a sound setting activated by your child moving / interacting with the toys. The footprint of this bounder is large (making it very stable) but it can be dismantled easily to transport - as once you have a Jumperoo you wont want to be without it! The height adjusts, ensuring babies and toddlers can use it with their feet just touching the floor.
This swing seat from Ingenuity offers your baby with a comfortable swing seat, or, if they're not in the mood, it has an EasyLock system which converts it into a static vibrating chair. Both modes are popular with reviewers, so it's just a case of choosing which your baby prefers at the time.
Alongside the vibrating function, there is also a sound entertainment feature with 12 melodies and 4 nature noises – which should spare you listening to the same sounds on repeat! Ingeniously this swing seat easily folds flat for storage and travel.
This simple bouncer is extremely light weight (yet stable) so can be easily moved from room to room around the house as needed - always remove the baby when doing so though. The toy bar has cute dangling elephant toys, which match the contemporary print on the seat itself. The cover is easily removed, machine washable and quick drying.
This no-frills yet attractive bouncy chair is an affordable buy which can be used from birth up to 9kg (about 6 months). The three point harness and the non-slip feet provide a safe and comfortable place for your baby to rest or bounce. Do read advice from reviewers before assembling though, as the instructions can be confusing.
This cute doorway jumper from Munchkin comes with a special pal, Lenny the Lion. Lenny has a crinkly mane, squeaky nose and teething rings, so your little one can have some sensory play as well as jumping time.
The seat is cushioned (and machine washable) ensuring a comfortable play session, and there is height adjustability within the straps so the jumper can grow as your child does (up to a maximum weight of 12 kg).
This bouncer has a deep and padded seat and comes with a removable toy bar. We really love that this seat can be used by babies and toddlers, up to a limit of 18 kg, initially as a fixed recliner with optional vibration setting, then as a rocker (which rocks gently as the baby moves) and finally as a toddler seat.
As we'd expect from a Fisher-Price product, the chair is easy to assemble. Reviewers love the longevity of this seat, but report that newborns don't find it the most comfortable of baby seats, due to the lack of any specific insert.
This rocker has great looks and high-quality, soft materials and it's full of practical functions too. Our favourite is the intuitive one-hand incline mechanism that is easy to use and allows for the accessory to grow with your child.
Plus, the chair folds away to practically nothing so it's easy to stick in the car when you're going for a weekend away or to stuff under the bed when it's not in use. Unfortunately, there are no entertainment features, which means you'll have to buy some separately or place your child where they can see what you are doing.
This offering from Baby Einstein is bright, flashy, interactive and entertaining. The nautical theme will delight your baby once they can sit up with good neck control. There are plenty of toys to grab at and interact with - the electronic sea turtle attachment is removable so can be played with on the floor too.
The noisy options are to play music and (in three different languages) counting and phrases. This is a bulky and room-dominating piece of kit and some reviewers note that the seat is a bit stiff for younger babies to turn, but older babies certainly love it.
This stylish number is from the known-for-quality brand BabyBjörn. This bouncer chair is incredibly simple and elegant, and while the look of it is a big selling point, it does still have a lot of other positives, such as the generous weight limit (up to 13 kg) and the four different incline options.
We love the fact that you can easily fold this bouncer completely flat for easy storage and transport - it would be a dream to pack for a holiday. However, we feel that having to buy a wooden (and admittedly chic) toy bar separately, is a real drawback, at this price point.
Baby bouncers which encourage babies to stand on their tiptoes, can delay walking if your baby uses them a lot, door bouncers in particular shouldn't be over-relied upon as they can cause hip problems only realised later in toddlerhood. Baby bouncers which are reclined can delay your baby's ability to sit up unaided if overused.
It's a good idea to keep swapping your baby between play mat, bouncer and arms regularly, to keep them entertained and to ensure that certain muscles don't get over- or under-used. The NHS suggests that if you do use a baby bouncer or seat, do so for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
No. 1: 4Moms|MamaRoo Rocker|Classic Grey
No. 2: Graco|Bumper Jumper Doorway Jumper|Bear Trail
No. 3: Fisher-Price |Rainforest Jumperoo
No. 4: Ingenuity|ConvertMe Swing-2-Seat
No. 5: BABABING|Float Baby Bouncer
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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