Baby bouncers (also called baby rockers) are a great way to entertain your baby, help them get to sleep and keep them safe while you get on with other things. They are usually suitable from birth and while some are simple chairs that keep infants secure and enable them to have a bounce if they want it, others are more elaborate, with built in rocking motion or vibrations. Some even have sounds and toy bars, many of which are removable. When you’re looking to buy one, think about whether you want a natural bouncer, or one that uses batteries or mains power. Also consider whether you want several recline positions and how long you into childhood you want it to last. This one feels solid and has a two-position recline, as well as a toy bar to keep them entertained. The harness, with five adjustment points, and the supportive head rest, will keep baby secure and the bounce is smooth enough to calm the most active little ones. Babies seem to love rocking back and forth in this super-comfy chair, activated with a push.
There are lots of sounds, so no one has to listen to repeats of the same old melody. It vibrates and reclines and has a toy bar. We like both designs: “Ollie Owl” and “Hoot”. Suitable from birth to 9kg. 3. Chicco Balloon: £69.99, argos.co.uk Clever features include the adjustable headrest, entertaining toy panel and range of songs and sounds. Cleverer still is the fact you can do your own 30-second voice recording – ideal for tired new parents. It comes in four colours and will last them up to six months. 4. Nuna Leaf: £160, very.co.uk This award-winning, innovative rocker requires just a gentle push to move unassisted for over two minutes, with no need for batteries. It looks great, so you won’t feel you need to hide it away when not in use, and it can be used as a chair for toddlers and even older kids. For those on a tight budget, or parents looking for something to keep at Granny and Grandad’s, this is a good-value option from Mothercare. The harness keeps them safe and the non-slip rubber feet make sure it stays put.
It’s probably not one you’ll hand-down, but it will do what’s needed from birth until baby’s around six months old. Stokke excels when it comes to modular systems, with many a family home having made use of its Tripp Trapp highchair that grows with your child. This is based on the same concept, changing from a bouncer with cradling motion to highchair and later a versatile seat for use throughout childhood. This one is super-easy to use. Once you’ve inserted your three AA batteries, you can make great use of the vibrating and musical functions. It has more padding than some, a secure harness and a toy bar with three cute toys. 8. Fisher Price Sensory Stages: £57.99, amazon.co.uk How about this for a cheery-looking bouncer designed to evolve as your baby develops (use until they sit up unaided)? The black, white and red toy bar, with mirror, provides visual stimulation, while lullabies, soft light and vibrations soothe. On the other side of the bar, older babies will like the animals and upbeat sounds.
9. Swoon Up: £119.99, babymoov.co.uk Nobody puts baby in the corner. And there’s no need to with this height-adjustable design that keeps little ones away from the worrying drafts and wagging tails of dogs. Set it to sofa or table-height and get them involved in family life. This state-of-the-art piece of kit mimics the natural motion of parents; lightly bouncing and swaying, rather than vibrating or swinging. The babies we tested it on took to it immediately, and there’s a range of settings to relax, calm or entertain. We think the Nuna Leaf is the most innovative baby bouncer on the market, as well as being the most stylish. For one that’s got all the bells and whistles, we love the Chicco Balloon. IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing
Home / Pregnancy / PlanningYou will log countless hours in your rocking chair feeding, shushing, singing and reading to your baby. Rocking chairs are not one-size-fits-all, and you'll want to pick one that suits you so you can enjoy your time there. Here are some chairs we love. ‹ prevnext › Best gliderAt first glance, it might seem that every glider in your local baby store is the same, but this Status Roma Glider has a few extra features that makes it stand above the rest. Its nice, high back gives you plenty of space to lean back and rest your head during those nighttime feedings. Pockets on the side give you places to stash your phone, magazines or a few burp cloths so you'll have everything you need when you sit down with Baby.Price: $255 Easiest to cleanWhether you love it or hate it, the Eames Style RAR Rocking Arm Lounge Chair definitely is a conversation piece. Your rocking chair will see it all, from spitup to diaper explosions. This chair wins our award for easiest to clean because you can simply wipe it off.
No muss, no fuss, no trips to the washing machine at 3 a.m? Price: $129.99 Most modernWe love the clean lines of this Nurseryworks Bungalow Rocker and that it doesn't scream "nursery." After you have logged numerous hours with your little one, you can easily transition this chair to another space in your home.Price: $399 Very vintageIf you are a mama with a passion for upcycling and DIYing, you might find your perfect rocking chair somewhere other than the local baby store. Check out your grandparents' home, garage sales or local thrift shops to find something that you love and is sturdy. The nice thing about upcycling a chair is that you can paint it to match your nursery theme exactly, and you can add fabric cushions to maximize the comfort level. Check out how Sherry from Young House Love revamped a rocking chair. Out of the boxWhen searching for your rocking chair, keep an open mind. Just because it was originally designed for living room use doesn't mean you can't drag it into the nursery.
A La-Z-Boy reclining rocker is super comfortable and a great place to sleep during nights when your baby is sick or extra fussy. Most comfortableThis Small Swivel Rocker and Ottoman from Pottery Barn makes us want to grab our littles and snuggle up for storytime. No matter what rocker you choose, comfort should always win. When it is 3 a.m., you have a teething baby and you haven't slept four consecutive hours in more than a week, a comfortable rocking chair is much more valuable than one that matches your nursery decor.Price: $749 Best for multiplesIf you are preparing for twins or more, you will need to increase the size of your rocking chair. This Eddie Bauer Chair and Half Rocker will keep your little ones from fighting for lap and chair space. The extra room will allow for more comfortable nursing, and the high back will support you as you support them.Price: $399.99 Best reclinerThis Little Castle Monaco Recliner is sure to help you and Baby get the most rest possible.