THE BENEFITS OF A ROCKER + BOUNCER + BABY SEAT FOR NEW & EXPECTANT PARENTS

ORIGINALLY POSTED: 22 October 2021

As an expecting parent, it’s hard to know exactly what baby gear you need--a bassinet or a pack-n-play? A wrap or ring sling? An electric or manual swing? It can be overwhelming! There are a ton of options on the market, and we know it’s tricky to navigate what your baby may or may not enjoy while balancing a budget.

However, a baby bouncer and a baby rocker are two items we don’t see many parents regret getting for their babies. It’s especially helpful to find a baby bouncer and rocker that is able to grow with you. First, let’s look at what each is and the benefits they have to offer your family.

What is a bouncer?

Little ones love to play, and that’s where a baby bouncer comes in. A baby bouncer is a specific piece of baby gear designed with your infant’s safety in mind. Bouncers were created as an option for little ones who cannot yet sit by themselves. The majority of bouncers on the market are simply a seat on a wireframe that springs up and down. While it sounds simple, baby bouncers can offer parents and guardians a much needed hands-free break!

The primary benefits of using a baby rocker are:

  • It’s meant to be stimulating.

    Baby bouncers were designed to be used during playtime so many come with an interactive toy bar. A toy bar might include rattles, noisemakers, or other enticing objects. This feature mentally stimulates an infant and keeps them entertained

  • Babies respond well to the calming motion.

    The gentle bouncing can be especially soothing early on as it reminds infants of swaying in the womb. While not safe options for nap or sleep, baby bouncers can calm fussy newborns or help to soothe colicky babies.

  • It’s compact for travel and storage.

    For as little as they, newborns end up taking a lot of space. Baby bouncers are nice because most are designed to be easily folded to easily store away when not in use. This also makes it easier to move the bouncer from room to room or even out of the house.

Here are some features to look for when deciding on a baby bouncer:

    • Weight capacity. For safety reasons, some bouncers can only be used for a short period of time until a child reaches an age limit (such as 6 months) or weight limit (such as 15 pounds). A higher weight/age capacity means you will be able to get more use out of the baby bouncer!
    • Safety features. Chances are this baby bouncer will primarily be used when your little one is tiny. Even if they can’t roll over yet, you always want to make sure they are securely fastened in any baby bouncer with some type of harness. Always read instructions carefully to make sure you are able to safely place and secure them in the bouncer.
    • Easy to clean. Kids are messy, even the littlest ones! Finding a baby bouncer made of an easy to clean fabric will help make parents’ lives less stressful. A removable seat cover is also a great feature to look for in a baby bouncer. Spit up, drool, and blowouts are bound to happen and knowing you can just strip off the seat cover and throw it in the wash can be a huge relief for already overwhelmed parents.
    • Proper neck support. Newborns aren’t born knowing how to do much. This includes holding up their own head. Until they strengthen their neck muscles enough to do this, they need the proper head and neck support. Look for a baby bouncer with a built in or removable insert intended to support little necks.

What is a baby rocker?

A baby rocker works very similar to an adult rocking chair in that it rocks back and forth from a seated position. Most baby rockers typically consist of a slightly reclined seat with two curved bands at the band which allows an adult to push the chair back and forth in a rocking motion. This can be done using your hands or just giving the rocker a gentle nudge with your foot.

  • The primary benefits of using a baby rocker are:

    • It can be used right away. Most baby rockers are designed to safely be used from birth! Each rocker varies over how long little ones are able to safely use them.
    • It’s soothing. Researchers believe that the rocking motion of baby rockers mimics the womb! This is why it is so soothing to them and can help to calm even the fussiest little ones.
    • It’s compact and easy to transport. Unlike many electric swings that are robust and require being near an outlet, a rocker seat for baby can be moved more easily. Typically made with a smaller frame, it is easy to move from room to room, out of the house, or even store away.

  • Here are some features to look for when deciding on a baby bouncer:

    • Strong build. Look for a baby rocker with a wide base and a frame made of strong metal. This increases its reliability while decreasing the risk of tipping. Safety is always a top consideration when choosing any type of baby gear.
    • A comfortable seat for little ones. You want this to be a place where your infant can be relaxed and comfortable! This is why choosing a baby rocker with a padded and soft seat covering is important. Especially for newborns, you will want to make sure the seat has adequate head and neck support. This is essential until your infant starts to build up their neck muscles.
    • Music or entertainment features. Unlike swings or bouncers, baby rocker seats are meant to soothe and typically don’t come with much entertainment. But some products on the market include interactive toy bars that can be removed if it is too stimulating. Others come with built-in, battery-powered music or sound options. Lullaby music or nature sounds can also be helpful in calming a fussy baby.

What's the difference between a bouncer and a rocker?

People might use the term “baby bouncer” and “baby rocker” interchangeably, but they actually refer to two very different products. It’s helpful to know the difference as you decide which one works best for your family!

The primary difference between a baby bouncer and a baby rocker is what it was designed for. Baby bouncers are created with playtime in mind. After all, babies love to play! That’s why a baby bouncer seat typically comes with a toy bar, music, or other forms of entertainment. While the bouncing motion is enjoyable to babies, it is not typically a motion that they find so soothing they fall asleep.

A baby rocker seat, on the other hand, is meant to soothe. Occasionally, babies might get so relaxed they start to doze. Although baby rockers are not considered safe sleep options, the gentle rocking motion does provide parents and guardians a much-needed break from doing all the rocking themselves.

What about a baby swing?

When it comes to determining what’s best for you and your family: baby swing vs. baby rocker vs. baby bouncer, remember that a baby swing is unique in the fact that it often requires an electrical outlet.

Baby swings are great and can be useful, but the reality is, not only must they always be located near a plug-in, most baby swings are bulky and not easy to move from room-to-room, much less out of the house or store away.

We recommend parents prioritize looking for a baby bouncer or rocker first!

Should I get a baby bouncer or rocker?

If it’s a priority, you’re probably asking yourself, “Which should I get then? A baby bouncer or baby rocker?”

That’s an easy question. The answer? Get both!

A baby bouncer and a baby rocker serve their own unique purposes. Their different functions help contribute to an overall happy and healthy baby. We all know a happy baby means less-stressed and happier parents, too!

However, we understand not every new or expectant parent and guardian has room in their homes for both a bouncer and a rocker. Even though they are both easily storable, they still take up some space in the home. Plus, buying both a rocker and a bouncer doesn’t work with everyone’s budget, either. This is why finding a product that functions as both a bouncer and rocker seat for babies is a game-changer.

Getting a piece of baby gear that has multiple functions and is able to grow with your little one (or multiple little ones) is every parent’s dream!

The benefits of choosing a baby bouncer + rocker + seat

Our baby bouncer + rocker + seat takes the “baby bouncer and rocker in one” idea a step further. It also has the option to be used safely as a toddler seat. This 3-in-1 transition seat is the perfect complement to any family’s home!

Here are the primary benefits for using our baby bouncer and rocker seat:

  • Use from the beginning

    If you’re stressed about getting enough use out of a product, this is a great option. Parents wonder when a baby can use a bouncer, and they are able to use our baby bouncer + rocker + seat as early as the first day home from the hospital!

  • Use for a long time

    Our hope is that this chair gets more than a few months of use and becomes a favorite place for your little one as they get older. The baby bouncer + rocker + seat grows with your baby and can be safely used until they are 2 years old or 29 lbs.

  • Cognitively stimulating

    Our baby bouncer and rocker includes an interactive toy bar! Three plush jungle-theme toys provide mental stimulation to keep your little one happy and entertained!

  • Safety features

    The baby bouncer + rocker + seat was designed with safety in mind and includes a five point harness that should be worn at all times.

  • Encourages fine motor skills

    The interactive toy bar on the baby bouncer + rocker + seat is placed just far enough out of reach to encourage your little one to try to reach and grab. This motion helps them develop fine motor skills.

  • Proper head and neck support

    For newborns, the baby bouncer + rocker +seat includes a removable newborn insert. This plush build-in head support makes sure there is no unnecessary strain on an infant’s developing neck muscles.

  • Made with high-quality fabric

    Keep your little one comfy with luxurious cotton muslin seat cover. Especially as newborns, an infant’s skin is more susceptible to irritants found in synthetic fabrics like polyester. That’s why we use cotton muslin for our seat cover to be as gentle as possible on your little one’s sensitive skin.

  • Lightweight and easy to transport

    Easily fold and transport the chair from room-to-room as it weighs less than 10lbs/4.5 kg. This is helpful for parents as you can move the bouncer + rocker +seat throughout the house as needed. Time to do dishes? Go to the kitchen! Time to put away the laundry? Go to the bedroom or nursery!

  • Easy to wash

    Don’t stress about a little mess (with babies there are bound to be a lot of messes anyway)! The removable seat cover is 95% cotton muslin and 5% spandex machine washable. When your baby spits up, throws up, drools, has a blowout while in the baby bouncer + rocker + seat simply remove the seat cover, throw it in the wash, and go about your day.

  • Easy to store

    Need more space or not using the baby bouncer for a while? Simply fold down the bouncer + rocker + seat and store it away until you need it again!

  • An option for every mood

    Perhaps the best thing about our baby bouncer + rocker + seat is the flexibility it gives you as a parent. With just one thing you have the option to: bounce for your infant in order to keep them entertained and engaged, rock your newborn to soothe and calm them, or simply have a safe place for your toddler to sit.

Having the baby bouncer + rocker + seat in your home can truly make the transition with your new baby more smooth. It provides them with the necessary comfort and entertainment while giving you a little reprieve from acting as your baby’s personal bouncer and rocker. Don’t stress over buying multiple baby gear items and instead just one: from newborn all the way to toddler.