“In a lie-flat position, the hips will naturally turn into external rotation and abduction, which is the point where the hips are contained within the socket. “A lie-flat position helps the spine develop in the correct way,” says Hannah Spink, Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist at Bumble Be Physio in London. rockers and swings are suitable from birth and some brands include a newborn insert or headrest for added padding and comfort.įor newborns, one of the main features should be a recline function that allows your baby to lie as flat as possible, as fully upright seats will not be suitable at this stage. And it means where they sit and lie can get dirty so check to see how easy the chair is to clean, whether you can remove the material and if it’s machine washable, or if it’s easy to wipe down. How easy is it to clean? Babies are messy – however much you try to keep them clean. Also, most baby chairs don’t fold away compactly, so we’ve included dimensions for each chair so you can see if it’ll fit your space.
The bigger the chair, the less portable it will be – so think about which room it’s likely to live in (and potentially dominate). How much space does it take up? Some baby chairs have a seriously large floor space footprint, particularly for big swings and rockers. If you choose a chair that has music, motion or vibration, you’ll need to use batteries or buy one that plugs into the mains. What features do you want or need? Baby chairs come in all shapes and sizes from pared back comfy seat to all-singing and dancing gadgets and chairs that swing in different directions. What to look for when buying a baby bouncer, rocker or swing chair You’ll find that some chairs are now a combination of more than one of the types – which is usually reflected in the price. The soothing swing movement helps to soothe babies, and many parents find it particularly helpful if their babies have colic or are very fretful. Swings offer the ability to change the speed of the swing and may also feature sounds or nursery rhymes. Swing chairs are similar to rockers, but are usually limited to a back and forth swinging motion, rather than rocking from side to side. Rockers that run on battery or mains power may also offer white noise, nature sounds or melodies that can be played while the chair is rocking or stationary. They often have different recline positions and rocking speeds. Rockers are usually quite sturdy and many have a curved or slanted base that allows you to rock the chair manually or using battery-powered motion. As they often have an upright position, bouncers can also be used as a feeding seat as your child grows. Bouncers usually come with a toy bar or hanging mobile, which is ideal for keeping your baby entertained. This is a great way to encourage young babies to move and start using their leg muscles – they love the movement. What’s the difference between a bouncer, a rocker and a swing chair?īouncer chairs are designed to be flexible so that they move (or bounce) slightly when you push down on the chair or when your baby kicks.
Best bouncer for added technology: 4moms MamaRoo, £269.99.Best for an elevated seat: Babymoov Swoon Air, £139.99.
Best value baby bouncer: BabaBing Float Baby Bouncer, £39.99.Best rocker and bouncer for newborn comfort: Joie Sansa 2-in-1, £150.
Best rocker for evolving with your child: Fisher-Price Infant to Toddler Rocker, £65.Best bouncer for folding away: Joie Dreamer Baby Bouncer, £70.Best bouncer for space-saving: BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss, £210.Best baby bouncers, swings and rockers at a glance Safety note: Your baby should always be strapped in the chair with a harness and the chair must never be placed on a raised surface such as a table. For when your baby is not in their bouncer, you can ensure they’re playing safely in the best playpens for babies. If you’re looking for more ways to entertain and soothe your baby, take a look at our best activity mats and baby gyms.