Infants under 12 months should not be in a bouncer for more than one hour at a time. Children who spend less time restrained in a seat get better quality sleep and have more time for active play, like tummy time. We’re not implying you have to hold your baby 24/7 (because that’s unrealistic); you’ll just want to watch the time to ensure your little one moves throughout the day. The seat has great depth, and the straps on the restraint system can be changed effortlessly between two sizes for babies 8 pounds and up—though we wish the straps could tighten more to accommodate smaller babes. Another great idea for your baby to help them have lots of fun and aid in their physical development is a baby door bouncer. As your little one grows, they'll instinctively push against a hard surface with their legs to build strength and find their feet, and these bouncers are the ideal way to help them out with this crucial phase. They hang securely from a door frame via a clamp - and if you'd prefer a free-standing design you're in the right place for those too. And to help them take their very first steps, a baby walker is the way to go. To find the best baby bouncers, we researched safety guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We also spoke to parents and medical professionals, including Elizabeth Murray, DO, MBA, FAAP; Benjamin Hoffman, MD, CPST-I, FAAP; and Molly O'Shea, MD, FAAP. Moreover, we tested baby bouncers in the lab with the help and input of Ebony Barrett, PNP, a board-certified neonatal nurse practitioner. With their guidance in mind, we researched dozens of top-rated baby bouncers in the market and considered their safety features, design, and value. We then narrowed our list to 16 baby bouncers, which we put through multiple tests at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City.

Our least favorite part of the bouncer is its assembly: It arrives in more than five pieces and they all require some assembly. For example, the frame pieces installed into the feet and the seat cover needed to be put on, which was the most complicated step. It took us several tries to get the cover on without looking at the manual first. Once we looked at the instructions (which are super straightforward), the step became much easier, with the secret being you need to angle the bouncer. Once fully assembled, the bouncer is solid and sturdy and doesn't wobble from side to side with or without its sandbag weight. American Academy of Pediatrics. Inclined Sleepers, Crib Bumpers and Other Baby Registry Items to Avoid. Unfortunately, the Cybex Lemo does not fold for compact storage, but its slim design makes up for it. We carried the bouncer and a sandbag (one in each hand), and it always felt manageable. While not ideal for travel, it's a solid option for its simplicity and adaptability that grows with your child, allowing you to use it as long as possible at home or grandma and grandpa's house. John Lewis plc, registered office: 171 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5NN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register no. 724309) for the purpose of introducing the credit provided by Creation Consumer Finance Ltd, registered office: Wellington Buildings, 2-4 Wellington Street, Belfast BT1 6HT. No batteries are necessary to make the Ergobaby Evolve Bouncer do its thing; a baby’s natural movement bounces the unit, but adults can manually bounce it for newborns, too.After studying the pros and cons of dozens of baby bouncers on the market, we narrowed our list down to 16 options that met the safety criteria and guidelines suggested by our experts. Then, seven parenting editors evaluated them at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City, with the help of Ebony Barrett, PNP, a board-certified neonatal nurse practitioner. We assessed each baby bouncer on several attributes, including assembly, design, stability, ease of use, portability, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Large items (delivered by two people, such as appliances and furniture) can be returned using our Home Collection service. We love the slim profile and modern, high-end look of the Cybex Lemo Bouncer. It's ideal for small spaces, measuring 24 x 17.3 x 21.7 inches, and doesn't plug into an electrical outlet or require batteries—babies can bounce naturally by moving their bodies, or adults can lend a hand with manual bouncing. However, we need to note that the tag on the bouncer states babies can sleep in the bouncer, but the AAP and our experts advise against that. The company's warning manual also states the bouncer "is not intended for prolonged periods of sleeping." We, our experts, and the AAP do not recommend babies fall asleep in a bouncer due to the risk of suffocation and potential death.

Most of the time, you can wipe down the baby bouncer’s frame, but refer to your unit’s manual first. Some baby bouncers feature a wooden frame, so you may not want to use certain cleaners on the material. Following the incline test, we removed the sandbags from the bouncers and folded the units when possible. We looked for ease of use or difficulty, folded sizes, and if the bouncer was effortless to carry from one end of the lab to the other. Baby Delight Alpine Wave Deluxe Bouncer: Our favorite feature of the Baby Delight Alpine Wave Deluxe is its portability. The bouncer folds flat, which is seamless, and stores under a couch with room to spare. Unfortunately, the seat cover is not removable, so you must spot clean messes. And the bouncer feels more flimsy than sturdy—we thought the bouncing feature needed to be more moderate. One of our editors used this bouncer when her child was a baby and said her little one fell out of the bouncer despite being strapped in properly. Stokke Steps Bouncer: The Stokke Steps Bouncer has many great features we love, like its cushiony padding, adorable design, and a five-point harness—and it all arrives fully pre-assembled. However, we encountered too many problems with this bouncer during testing; from its confusing instructions to instability, the whole unit was difficult to use. If your baby falls asleep in a bouncer, immediately move them to a safe sleep space (crib, play yard, or bassinet). Dr. O'Shea warns that even if you’re sitting nearby and watching, your baby is still at risk if they sleep in a bouncer.Another highlight of this bouncer is its ability to play music and vibrate, which requires three C batteries (not included). You can't do both simultaneously; however, you can alternate between the two with the push of a button on the front of the bouncer. Choose from five songs or three vibrations speeds to help soothe a crying baby. Unfortunately, baby swings don’t typically fold, so they’re not travel-friendly like baby bouncers, which often fold to compact sizes. On the other hand, baby swings take the manual work out of pushing a baby bouncer. However, both options require you to keep an eye on your little one to ensure they don’t fall asleep in the unit. If you want a baby bouncer that blends with your nursery or home decor, the Childhome Evolux Bouncer is great. Its simplicity and wooden detail set it apart from other bouncers we tested. The Ergobaby bouncer arrives folded in a box, ready to go. As part of our testing, we removed the bouncer from the box, unfolded it into position, and placed a sandbag into the seat to replicate a baby’s weight. This bouncer’s stability shines—it was the sturdiest bouncer we tested in the lab, thanks to the rubber on its base to prevent the unit from slipping and sliding on the floor. When loaded with a sandbag, the bouncer remained smooth, and the sandbag never moved or fell out when we bounced it. Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 3-year-old son. Katrina used a now-discontinued Graco baby bouncer and swing combo when her son was born. She appreciated having a spot for her son to sit or swing in while she finished dishes or folded laundry.