

Lastly, we folded the baby bouncers and carried them across the lab to assess their portability. We also adjusted the recline and reexamined stability and ease of use on each incline level. Our team of experienced parenting editors nudged the seats and bounced them repeatedly manually, with and without sandbags, to determine stability and ease of use. We then narrowed our list to 16 baby bouncers, which we put through multiple tests at the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City.ĭuring our test, seven parenting editors assembled the baby bouncers and strapped 15-pound or 20-pound sandbags into the seats' harnesses to replicate a child's weight. With their guidance in mind, we researched dozens of top-rated baby bouncers in the market and considered their safety features, design, and value. Moreover, we tested baby bouncers in the lab with the help and input of Ebony Barrett, PNP, a board-certified neonatal nurse practitioner. 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. 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). Sleeping in a baby bouncer poses a risk of suffocation, which can lead to a potentially deadly outcome. It's important to note that bouncers keep littles entertained during supervised awake time and are not for children to sleep in. The calming motion mimics what they experienced in the womb, which ultimately helps soothe them, especially if they're fussy. Many bouncers rely on a baby's natural kicking movement to bounce the unit, while others are electric or battery-powered. Before graduating to gross motor skill-enhancing toys like tricycles and scooters, babies love the feeling of being gently bounced.
