best bouncer for 8 month old?

A quality rocker should feature adjustable heights, be lightweight, and convenient to store and transport. Millie also suggests investing in a bouncer with a detachable cover, facilitating quick cleanup in case of diaper leaks.

According to Millie, there are three primary types: “A bouncer typically operates manually, responding to either an adult’s push or a baby’s movements by gently bouncing. On the other hand, a rocker or a swing chair is typically electronically automated and offers adjustable settings to generate motion.”

Read Also: Breast Milk in Baby’s Eyes: Exploring its benefits for baby Eye’s Care

Best baby bouncers

Baby Bjorn Bouncer Bliss

This particular Baby Bjorn model has attained a revered status among bouncers, yet initially, I harbored doubts upon seeing it – its appearance seemed rather basic considering the price. However, this simplicity turned out to be one of its key strengths. It stands out as a well-designed, high-quality, ergonomic piece of equipment that gently rocks in response to your baby’s movements without relying on gimmicky extras.

Upon slipping our then-two-month-old Jasper, who was fussy at the time, into the Baby Bjorn, he promptly settled down and eventually drifted off to sleep. Even at seven months, it remains his preferred choice for comfort. The jersey cotton fabric is exceptionally soft yet supportive and offers a wide selection of colors and patterns. I appreciate the straightforwardness of the front panel, which secures him without the hassle of dealing with intricate shoulder straps.

Our expert, Millie, also favors it as her top pick. “I’ve experimented with numerous brands, but I find the Baby Bjorn bouncer to be the most adaptable and rhythmic for bouncing,” she remarks. Its lightweight design was another advantage for us, making it effortless to move around the house or even during travel. When it comes to storage, it folds down almost completely flat, although you won’t need to stow it away for quite some time. Once your baby outgrows the bouncer, typically around six months, and learns to walk and sit unassisted, you can repurpose the fabric seat by flipping it around to use as a children’s chair.

Jasper also adores the toy bar (available separately), and aesthetically, so do I. While there are various designs to choose from, we opted for the ‘Googly Eye’ option (£44), which entertains him endlessly and is simple to attach and detach – an accessory we wouldn’t want to be without. The only feature this bouncer lacks, in my view, is a vibrating function, which our baby thoroughly enjoyed in a different model.

Bright Starts Safari Blast 2-in1 Rocker

Top pick for value, rated 9/10

Pros: Soothing vibrate function

Cons: Visually loud appearance, low-sitting toy bar

This bouncer stands out as the most vibrant among those we tested, and predictably, Jasper adores it. This budget-friendly model serves as both a bouncer and rocker, accommodating your baby from infancy, securely strapped in and reclined, to toddlerhood, with the harness removed and the unit set to stationary mode using the kickstand at the back.

My son is particularly captivated by the brightly-colored toy bar adorned with hanging rattles, although they tend to dangle rather close to his face, and he occasionally bumps himself while tugging on them. Fortunately, the toy bar is removable.

Its standout feature, however, is the vibrate function, requiring a C battery (not included), which continues to comfort Jasper even at seven months old. Whenever he seems on the verge of fussiness or after meals when I prefer to keep him still, I rely on this bouncer for a calming, buzzing motion. (Why pricier models don’t include a vibrate function remains a mystery to me.)

The fabric, while somewhat plastic-like, is more easily wipeable compared to others, facilitating effortless cleaning. Moreover, its relatively compact and lightweight design occupies minimal space, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice.

Munchkin Bluetooth Baby Swing Chair & Seat

Top-rated baby swing, scoring 9/10

Pros: Automatic swing motion, lightweight construction, futuristic design

Cons: Power cable restricts placement options

This sleek, futuristic-looking swing stood out among the rest as the only machine-operated model we tested. Its standout feature is its automatic side-to-side sway, crafted to emulate a parent’s natural rocking motion, offering five levels of intensity. During Jasper’s early months, we used it daily, typically opting for the fastest setting.

Controlled by a digital touch display with an integrated speaker, it offers a selection of eight sounds, including white noise and classical music pieces. Additionally, it boasts Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream your own playlists from your phone. While we initially utilized the pre-loaded sounds, the speaker quality, although satisfactory for me, didn’t quite meet his father’s discerning standards.

This swing also comes with a remote, although personally, I was always within arm’s reach of Jasper when he was in it, so the remote wasn’t necessary. One drawback of its electronic nature is the necessity to plug it into a power socket, restricting placement options.

Nevertheless, it weighs a mere 4kg and folds down flat enough to fit into small spaces, such as under the sofa in our case. Our only regret is its limited duration of use: the Munchkin shouldn’t be utilized once your baby can sit up, and by five months, Jasper was already outgrowing it.

Mamas and Papas Tempo 3-in-1 bouncer

Top-rated bouncer for newborns, scoring 9/10

Pros: Excellent value, lightweight design, adjustable head hugger insert

Cons: Limited usability until the baby is six months old

I’ve grown to trust Mamas and Papas as a brand renowned for its unwavering quality, and this bouncer lives up to that reputation. It offers exceptional value for money, ranking as the second most affordable option we tested. The Tempo boasts three settings: a reclined position tailored for newborns with a gentle rocking motion, and two higher stances for increased bounce.

Available in three neutral colors (sand, ivy, and blush), it features a convenient pocket at the back to store small items out of the baby’s reach, along with a toy bar that attaches and detaches magnetically. We particularly appreciated the adjustable ‘head hugger’ insert, which adheres to the back independently without the need for straps, making it effortless to reposition or remove. Additionally, the ‘nip-proof’ harness clips enhance safety.

Compact, lightweight, and easy to maneuver as a unit, the Tempo unfortunately is only suitable for babies up to approximately six months (9kg), leaving us disappointed when Jasper outgrew it. Unlike some other models, it couldn’t be repurposed as a child’s seat. Nonetheless, it serves as a commendable alternative to the Baby Bjorn, especially for those on a tighter budget.

Cybex Lemo Bouncer

Top-rated bouncer for reflux, scoring 9/10

Pros: Exceptionally comfortable, multi-functional, sleek design

Cons: Not the most compact model

This bouncer immediately caught my eye as the one I wished I could nestle into myself; its appearance exudes coziness and a sense of being cocooned. If Jasper could speak, I’m certain he’d concur – he never complains when placed in it. It’s particularly well-suited for reflux issues as it positions the baby in a more upright stance compared to others I tested, yet it can also be reclined for nap times.

What truly distinguishes this bouncer is its versatility. It serves as a manual bouncer for infants (utilizing the newborn inlay) and later transforms into a comfortable chair for toddlers up to three years old once the harness is removed.

When purchased as a set with the Lemo 4-in-1, the seat can be effortlessly mounted to a stand, positioning your baby at adult waist height – a boon for those recovering from a c-section or dealing with back issues. I personally prefer having Jasper elevated and closer to me while I’m bustling about in the kitchen, rather than on the floor.

Once your baby outgrows the bouncer, the 4-in-1 kit can be reassembled to create a high chair, followed by a child’s seat, and eventually an adult’s seat. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that this bouncer is packaged with its components wrapped in paper rather than plastic, a thoughtful touch.

Nuna Leaf Grow

Top-rated baby rocker, scoring 9/10

Pros: Elegant design, semi-automatic motion

Cons: Heavy base limits portability, toy bar easy to dislodge

This baby rocker stood out to me as the most aesthetically pleasing option; a stunning unit that seamlessly blends into any room like a piece of furniture, mimicking the gentle sway of a leaf in the wind. Ironically, it’s also the heaviest among the options, lending a sturdy feel but making it less convenient to move around the house or take on travels.

Designed to accommodate your baby from newborn stage, with a soft insert and three-point harness, to toddlerhood, with these components removed to convert it into a seat, the Nuna Leaf boasts a gentle side-to-side motion that lasts several minutes without the need for batteries or cords. Unlike most other non-motorized swings on the market, which require frequent pushing, the Nuna Leaf offers a more convenient experience.

We adore the luxurious fabric and the thoughtful design elements, including three recline positions, a motion lock, and a breathable mesh back. Available in two understated shades (brown or pale blue and grey), it features a beautiful adjustable toy bar that easily snaps on and off. However, by six months, Jasper could effortlessly dislodge the toy bar entirely and toss it to the floor, inadvertently turning it into one of his favorite independent playthings.

Conclusion