April 2007
Features to consider Bouncer seats
Cushiness. Seat padding can vary from basic to extra-thick. Because wet diapers are bound to come in contact with the fabric covering, upholstery should be removable and machine washable (check the label). There also shouldn't be any loose threads or gaps in the seams.
Frame. When you're in the store, give the various display models a "bounce." Bring your own batteries, in case the display models don't have them. A bouncer seat should have a wide, stable base and be springy. If it seems stiff, it probably won't bounce with your baby in it.
Foldability. Some models fold nearly flat, which is handy if you'll be traveling with your bouncer seat.
Canopy. Some models have a canopy to block light. The canopy can be a sunshade if your baby spends time in it outside, but be sure to position the bouncer in the shade so the baby won't become overheated or get sunburned.
Music and vibration. Some bouncers can play up to 10 songs, with additional sound effects, to stimulate your baby's sense of hearing. These models usually provide a vibration feature along with music since both features are often packaged in the same mechanism. Vibration simulates the motion of a soothing car ride.
Rockability. Some bouncers are designed to rock as well as bounce, but most infants aren't strong enough to self-generate a rocking motion--so if a bouncer just rocks, there won't be much movement until your baby is several months old. Some rocker-bouncers, like one we tested, the Baby Einstein Discovering Water Rocker Seat, come with a kickstand, so you have the option of keeping the bouncer from rocking. In this mode, however, we found that the Water Rocker Seat didn't bounce much at all. Moreover, when this seat was in the bouncer position (the kickstand wasn't engaged), it failed to meet two test requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards for bouncer seats. The seat was difficult to assemble, which is another reason for its low score. For the results of our bouncer seat tests, see the Ratings
Seat belts. Most models have a soft fabric three-point crotch strap as a restraint; others have a five-point harness, which is ideal for newborns because they tend to list to the side or slide to the end of the seat. Check all fasteners on models with three-point or five-point harnesses to see that they're strong, secure, and easy for you to work, and that they won't poke your baby. They should be stiff enough to be safe without being so rigid that they pinch or are difficult for you to operate.
Head support. Seats with an adjustable, removable cushioned head support are ideal for newborns.
Seat fabric. Fabric patterns range from kid-friendly to sophisticated solid color combos, such as chocolate and orange, black and watermelon. But foremost, a seat cover should be removable and machine washable.
Seat positioning. Some bouncer seats recline more than others. The recline feature is necessary for infants, since they don't have the head control that sitting, even on a slight incline, requires.
Toy bar. Besides watching you and your family from the sidelines, your baby may enjoy the sensory stimulation of toys, sounds, and lights that many bouncer seats come with. A toy bar isn't necessary in the early months, since your baby may not want to play with the toys all the time or even know what to do with them. Toy bars come into play around 4 months of age, though music and vibration features will likely be appreciated well before then. Toys usually are suspended from a removable play bar, although some models, such as the Sensory Selections Bouncer by Fisher-Price ($50), feature a swing-away motorized mobile, which suspends toys in front of a baby in mobile fashion. Look for spinning, squeaking toys and teethers in bright or contrasting colors. Some models have toys that are pastel, which won't make as dramatic an impact on your baby as brighter colors will. If your baby can't reach the toy bar, position it so he can kick at it. Most bouncers allow you to take the play bar off and use just the seat for snoozing and quiet time. Not all models have toy bars, though many parents believe they're a must-have, especially starting at around the 4-month mark. Don't use the toy bar as a carrying handle.
Cushiness. Seat padding can vary from basic to extra-thick. Because wet diapers are bound to come in contact with the fabric covering, upholstery should be removable and machine washable (check the label). There also shouldn't be any loose threads or gaps in the seams.
Frame. When you're in the store, give the various display models a "bounce." Bring your own batteries, in case the display models don't have them. A bouncer seat should have a wide, stable base and be springy. If it seems stiff, it probably won't bounce with your baby in it.
Foldability. Some models fold nearly flat, which is handy if you'll be traveling with your bouncer seat.
Canopy. Some models have a canopy to block light. The canopy can be a sunshade if your baby spends time in it outside, but be sure to position the bouncer in the shade so the baby won't become overheated or get sunburned.
Music and vibration. Some bouncers can play up to 10 songs, with additional sound effects, to stimulate your baby's sense of hearing. These models usually provide a vibration feature along with music since both features are often packaged in the same mechanism. Vibration simulates the motion of a soothing car ride.
Rockability. Some bouncers are designed to rock as well as bounce, but most infants aren't strong enough to self-generate a rocking motion--so if a bouncer just rocks, there won't be much movement until your baby is several months old. Some rocker-bouncers, like one we tested, the Baby Einstein Discovering Water Rocker Seat, come with a kickstand, so you have the option of keeping the bouncer from rocking. In this mode, however, we found that the Water Rocker Seat didn't bounce much at all. Moreover, when this seat was in the bouncer position (the kickstand wasn't engaged), it failed to meet two test requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards for bouncer seats. The seat was difficult to assemble, which is another reason for its low score. For the results of our bouncer seat tests, see the Ratings
(available to subscribers)
.Seat belts. Most models have a soft fabric three-point crotch strap as a restraint; others have a five-point harness, which is ideal for newborns because they tend to list to the side or slide to the end of the seat. Check all fasteners on models with three-point or five-point harnesses to see that they're strong, secure, and easy for you to work, and that they won't poke your baby. They should be stiff enough to be safe without being so rigid that they pinch or are difficult for you to operate.
Head support. Seats with an adjustable, removable cushioned head support are ideal for newborns.
Seat fabric. Fabric patterns range from kid-friendly to sophisticated solid color combos, such as chocolate and orange, black and watermelon. But foremost, a seat cover should be removable and machine washable.
Seat positioning. Some bouncer seats recline more than others. The recline feature is necessary for infants, since they don't have the head control that sitting, even on a slight incline, requires.
Toy bar. Besides watching you and your family from the sidelines, your baby may enjoy the sensory stimulation of toys, sounds, and lights that many bouncer seats come with. A toy bar isn't necessary in the early months, since your baby may not want to play with the toys all the time or even know what to do with them. Toy bars come into play around 4 months of age, though music and vibration features will likely be appreciated well before then. Toys usually are suspended from a removable play bar, although some models, such as the Sensory Selections Bouncer by Fisher-Price ($50), feature a swing-away motorized mobile, which suspends toys in front of a baby in mobile fashion. Look for spinning, squeaking toys and teethers in bright or contrasting colors. Some models have toys that are pastel, which won't make as dramatic an impact on your baby as brighter colors will. If your baby can't reach the toy bar, position it so he can kick at it. Most bouncers allow you to take the play bar off and use just the seat for snoozing and quiet time. Not all models have toy bars, though many parents believe they're a must-have, especially starting at around the 4-month mark. Don't use the toy bar as a carrying handle.
