A baby bouncer is a versatile piece of equipment that provides a safe, comforting space for your little one while giving you the opportunity to grab a bite to eat, take a shower or just catch your breath.
Baby bouncers are lightweight, easy to set up and are available in lots of styles.
A bouncer usually offers a few reclining positions so your baby can sit or lay down comfortably while enjoying the soothing movement of bouncing or rocking.
There are lots of benefits to a baby bouncer but it can be difficult to narrow down your list with so many great options on the market.
The following reviews and buyer’s guide will help you find the best option for your newest family member.
Here are our picks for the best baby bouncers in Australia:
1. BabyBjorn Bouncer Bliss Baby Bouncer (Top Pick)
The sleek, stylish and modern Bouncer Bliss from BabyBjorn is ideal for use with newborns and can be used up to 2 years old. The ergonomic design combines safety and comfort as it properly supports your baby’s neck, head and back.
The Bouncer Bliss has 3 different positions including play which is the most upright position, rest which is a slightly more inclined position and sleep which allows your baby to lay comfortably while being fully supported.
This model can also be folded flat to make it more portable for packing away or transportation.
When your baby moves, the bouncer rocks gently. The fabric cover can be removed and is machine washable making it easy to keep clean.
This baby bouncer has a breathable design and is free from health hazard substances so you can rest assured your baby is safe, comfortable and supported.
What We Like:
- Looks great
- Easy to store and transport
- Supportive ergonomic design
What We Don’t Like:
- Toy bar costs extra
2. Chicco Hoopla Rocker Baby Bouncer
The Chicco Hoopla Rocker is a comfortable chair that can be used from birth up to 9kgs (around 6 months). This is a robust, high-quality rocker that can be used time and time again as both a rocker and a chair.
The Hoopla is a cozy and comfortable bouncer chair that embraces your child. The cushion is ergonomic and ultra-soft for the comfort of your baby. It can be adapted as your baby grows to ensure comfort.
The backrest of this rocker is adjustable so you can use it for playing, feeding or relaxing, the position can also be set to be fixed or rocking.
There are three hanging soft toys that come with this set to help stimulate your little one’s tactical, visual and hearing skills.
The toy bar is removable to make it easier to place your baby in the chair and the rocker folds flat for convenient storage and travel.
What We Like:
- No assembly required
- Can be fixed or rocking
- Ergonomic and adjustable
What We Don’t Like:
- This rocker is quite large in size
3. Fisher Price Colourful Carnival Baby Bouncer
The Fisher-Price Colourful Carnival Bouncer is a sleek, all-in-one design that is great for relaxing and playing and is suitable for babies from birth until they can sit up unassisted.
The seat gently bounces when your baby moves around and there is also an optional calming vibration feature that helps to soothe your baby when needed.
The soft fabric seat pad is designed to be comfortable and is machine washable for added convenience.
This bouncer for baby has an adjustable three-point restraint and also comes with a removable toy bar with two spinner toys and an elephant toy for batting, grasping and playing.
The bright colours and pattern of this Fisher-Price infant chair have a pleasant, cheerful look that is bound to make you smile.
What We Like:
- Easy to clean
- Three adjustment points
- Optional soothing vibrations
- Removable toy bar assists with fine motor skills
What We Don’t Like:
- Some users may find this rocker is not as sturdy as other options
4. Ingenuity SmartBounce Automatic Baby Bouncer
This bouncer is designed to keep the little one calm and cosy to give parents some extra hands-free moments, the features include automatic bouncing, toys and multiple melody sounds.
The Ingenuity SmartBounce Automatic Bouncer is great for mimicking a mother’s natural bouncing and rocking motion.
For support and comfort, the cradling seat has a removable head support and bolster cushion. The seat pad is made using premium fabric and is easy to clean as it can be placed in a washing machine.
The baby bouncing seat has an adjustable 3 point harness so you know your baby is secure.
There are 2 speed options that provide a bounce that mimics a natural bounce and there’s a 30 minutes timer.
There are 8 melodies and 3 nature sounds with volume control and a removable toy bar with 2 plush toys to help keep your baby occupied and stimulated.
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What We Like:
- 2 bouncing speed options
- Offers melodies and nature sounds
- Adjustable harness
What We Don’t Like:
- Some users may find the head and neck support is not as ergonomic and effective as other rockers (particularly for younger babies)
5. Tiny Love 3 in 1 Baby Rocker
The Tiny Love 3 in 1 rocker is a versatile option that grows with your baby and can be easily converted from a seat to a napper. The weight limit for this rocker is 9kg which will likely be between 6-12 months.
There are 3 reclining positions perfect for if your baby is sitting, eating or sleeping. The soft bed with raised sides means this rocker can replace the need for a Moses basket as it provides a safe environment for your baby to nap in.
To keep baby happy you can easily increase or reduce the level of stimulation by adjusting the options including the music toy, light feature and vibration settings.
What We Like:
- Lots of stimulation options
- Raised sides for quiet time and sleeping
- Quick and easy conversion from a seat to a napper
What We Don’t Like:
- Battery-powered, batteries not included
Baby Bouncer Buyer’s Guide
If you’ve started to look for a bouncer for your baby, the chances are you’ve realised how many products are on the market.
The good news is that means there will definitely be one to suit your style and needs but the bad news is that could mean a lot of scrolling and review-reading to find the best baby bouncer.
To make narrowing down the selection easier, this buying guide will give you everything you need to know when looking for the best baby bouncer.
Electric or Non-Electric?
If you would like a bouncer that will keep your baby entertained and soothed with lights, vibrations, different speeds and music options then an electric bouncer is the way to go.
Many parents prefer baby bouncers that rock and bounce manually or in response to your baby’s movements, in which case a non-electric option will be your best bet.
Space
Baby bouncers can be quite large and bulky so consider how much space you have available, it may be a good idea to measure the available space you have to make sure the model you are considering can fit and move around the house as desired within the available area.
If you are limited on space you may want to look for an option that can be easily folded away.
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Safety Features
Does the baby bouncer have an adjustable three-point (or five-point) harness? Also, consider how sturdy the base is and how easy it could be to knock over (particularly if you have a pet or older children).
Another safety aspect is the head and neck support included for younger babies.
Comfort and Cleanliness
The seat should be padded and comfortable for your little one, many options are ergonomic and provide adjustable support for your baby’s head and neck.
There should be a couple of recline positions too so you can adjust the seat positions to suit your child’s age and the situation (e.g. sitting, playing, napping).
Ideally, the seat cover should be removable and machine washable.
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Other Considerations
- Multifunction – are you looking for a bouncer that offers multi-functional features including swinging and rocking?
- Portability – a bouncer that can be folded flat makes it easy to transport and move around.
- Extras – common extras include removable toy bars, a mobile and the ability to play music or soothing sounds to keep your little one entertained.
- Age or weight limit – the majority of bouncers can be used until your little one is around 6 months old or they can sit up independently. There are a few models that offer higher weight limits so keep an eye on the product specifications.
- Power source – if you are opting for an electric option that can vibrate/ play music etc. consider how it is powered. Is it battery operated or does it plug in? Battery operated options may go through batteries quickly which is an additional cost to consider (or think about using rechargeable batteries).
- Carry bag – handy if you intend to move around a lot or take the bouncer travelling.
- Baby swing and baby jumper – require more supervision than a bouncer but can be a fun alternative.
