How to Choose a Baby Bouncer and Use It Safely

Manual or Responsive Baby Bouncers/Rockers

Manual baby bouncers are also sometimes called responsive or “baby-powered” because the bouncing motion is initiated by a baby’s movement (or a caregiver’s light pressure). There are no batteries or power source involved—this type of bouncer simply responds to movement and sustains it, for a soothing (and even entertaining) experience. It’s an engaging way for baby to start to learn cause and effect: When they kick their feet, the chair starts bouncing. As seen in CR’s baby bouncer testing, the most responsive bouncers are able to be initiated by even a young infant, whereas others might require a stronger kick from a slightly older baby to get the motion going.

Some bouncers can also convert into a rocking seat. Because not all babies love the same type of bouncing motion, looking for a baby bouncer that also doubles as a rocking chair can be a smart buy if you’re looking for versatility.

Automated baby bouncers usually have a battery-powered vibration feature that parents and caregivers can toggle on or off to add an extra motion element to the manual bouncing option, but most baby bouncers don’t feature a motor-powered bounce. If this automation is important to you, you might instead look for a baby swing, many of which feature a machine-powered motion designed to soothe your baby. 

Convertible or “all-in-one” bouncer seats are designed to be used longer than traditional bouncer seats. They grow with your child by converting from a baby bouncer to a toddler seat—typically by removing the harness straps for kids who can easily sit down without help. 

You can start using a baby bouncer from the first weeks of your child’s life, provided that they meet the minimum weight requirements for the bouncer model you have. (Some bouncers specify 5 pounds, while others specify 8 pounds.) You should be able to continue using your bouncer until your child meets the upper weight limit, which is usually around 20 pounds, or until they start to sit up on their own or can roll easily from back to front, which tends to happen by around 5 to 7 months.

Continuing to use the bouncer beyond this point could increase the likelihood of an accident, like the bouncer flipping or your baby falling out of the seat, Muratore says. “And developmentally, a baby at this stage needs even more awake time spent actively moving and playing rather than lounging,” says Rachel Coley, OT/L, a pediatric occupational therapist and child development expert with Lovevery. 

Muratore and her team of expert testers evaluated baby bouncers in CR’s baby gear lab for specific criteria using the federal safety standard for baby bouncers as a blueprint, and also considered factors like usability, design, and ease of cleaning. Here’s what they recommend considering.

• Sturdiness: “Look for a bouncer that looks and feels sturdy,” Muratore says. “We prefer a more substantial frame to the metal wire-type frames.”
• Comfort: Make sure the seat fabric is comfy and breathable, without being plush or pillowy. The footrest area should be slightly padded to give those kicky feet a soft landing.
• Support: “The shape of the seat should have a dedicated area to support the baby’s tush and thighs comfortably,” Muratore says. You may also want to look for a bouncer that will allow baby to easily turn their head from side to side to prevent head flattening (more on this below).
• Type of motion: If you’re able to test out a bouncer in person at a retail store or at a friend’s house, check the bouncing motion. Is it smooth or slightly choppy? How long does it keep bouncing?
• Harness use: You’ll likely need to undo the harness every time you take your baby out of the bouncer. How easy does it seem to unlatch those little buttons or buckles?
• Add-ons: Consider extra features, like a toy bar, which is sometimes sold separately, or a vibration function.
• Convertibility: Can it convert to a rocker or toddler chair down the line? If so, you might be able to use it a bit longer.
• Portability: Does it fold up flat for easy storage? Is it portable enough to travel with if you’re visiting grandparents or friends? Some bouncers we tested had to be disassembled for storage, which limits their portability.

“Any bouncer seat sold in the U.S. is required to meet the requirements of the federal safety standard,” Muratore says. That said, she recommends checking the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for product recalls, or go to SaferProducts.gov to be sure the bouncer you’re looking at hasn’t been involved in a recall. That’s especially important if you’re considering a secondhand bouncer—or any used baby gear.

If you are shopping online for a baby bouncer, CR’s safety experts recommend buying products where the online marketplace itself (such as Amazon or Walmart) is listed as the seller—because in those cases, the platforms are responsible for the safety of those products under current laws. While products sold by third-party sellers online are required to meet all applicable safety standards, investigations by Consumer Reports, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and other news organizations have previously discovered recalled, hazardous, and counterfeit goods sold through third parties on online marketplaces. If you’re interested in a baby bouncer listed by a third party on an online retailer, stick with well-known and reputable brands. One good sign is if you can find the exact same product on other major retail sites. (Being unable to find a company website is a bad sign. And know that designations like “Amazon’s Choice” do not guarantee a product’s safety.)

When you’re using your bouncer with your baby, keep the following safety advice in mind. 

• Always supervise your baby while in the bouncer, keeping a close eye on how pets and older siblings interact with your baby.
• Be sure to always strap your baby into the bouncer using the included harness.
• Never place your bouncer with your baby inside on an elevated surface, such as a counter or table.
• Never place your bouncer with your baby inside on a soft surface, like a bed, couch, or cushion. 
• Know that a baby bouncer is not a safe sleep location, because of the inclined seat. If your baby falls asleep in the bouncer, move them to a place that’s safe for sleep, like a bassinet, crib, or play yard, with a firm, flat surface.
• Avoid adding any blankets, pillows, or other bedding to the bouncer.

The main purpose of a bouncer is to provide a safe place for your awake baby to sit, but bouncers can offer your baby some entertainment or soothing. “The movement of a bouncer can stimulate the vestibular system in a way that helps some babies stay content for a little longer without being held,” Coley says. Many babies enjoy and are soothed by a bouncing motion, which can be reminiscent of the feeling of their birth parent walking around while they were in the womb. 

The toy bar or arch that comes with some bouncers can also provide items a baby can look at and reach for, though Coley says that these skills are best learned outside of a bouncer or other type of baby seat, so that your little one can fully move their head, arms, legs, and spine as they work on these important developmental milestones. Overall, “it’s helpful to think of them as a means to entertain rather than skill development,” she says, and suggests using bouncers in moderation, balanced with plenty of playtime on the floor and being held in your arms.

Rest assured that the rocking or bouncing motion created by a bouncer seat is not the type of forceful action linked to shaken baby syndrome (SBS), a serious brain injury that can affect infant brain development. The gentle movement bouncers create is designed to soothe or stimulate your baby, and is not associated with head trauma seen in SBS.

Unfortunately, yes. There are two ways that bouncers can contribute to head flattening, Coley says: By limiting movement and by encouraging constant pressure on the sides of the skull. “They tend to encourage babies with very common head-turning preferences to settle into those comfy positions for the time spent in the bouncer,” Coley says. “This puts pressure on one side of the head more than the other and can cause or worsen flat spots on the skull.” 

Similarly, bouncers limit a baby’s ability to turn their head fully in each direction, which means more pressure is placed on the back of the skull. “Because infants spend so much time on their backs while sleeping, it’s important to prioritize positions during their awake time that alleviate pressure on this part of the head—tummy time, time held, side lying, and on the back with the head turned fully to each side,” Coley says. This is why Coley recommends that parents limit the total amount of time their babies spend in their bouncer seat, aiming for an average of less than 2 hours per day.

If you have more questions about using a baby bouncer seat with your infant, your pediatrician is your best resource.