The ABC's of Bouncer Seats

Baby bouncer seats can quite literally be a lifesaver when it comes to calming down a fussy, colicky newborn. Bouncers often provide parents, just as ours did when we brought our baby boy home from the hospital, with a helping hand and a safe, soothing place for baby to keep occupied during those times when you have things to take care of around the house.

But, before and after you decide to purchase either a new or used bouncer seat, there are several things that you should always take into consideration:

1. Look for a seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) which signifies that the product conforms to independent safety standards.  
2. If you are looking to purchase a second hand bouncer, please check the Consumer Product Safety Commissions (CPSA) website to see if the particular bouncer that you are interested in has ever been the subject of a recall.
3. Be sure to always follow the manufacturers recommend weight and age limits.  Many bouncers can be used only until baby weighs 25 pounds (typically around the 6th month of age) and/or can sit up on their own without assistance.
4. Never place a bouncer seat on either a soft or elevated surface, as your little ones movement could possibly make the bouncer tip.
5. Always place your newborn the same room that you’re in, and keep a watchful eye out while they’re sitting in their seat.  
6. Look for bouncer models that contain an AC plug-in adapter, as chances are, you are bound to go through a steady stream of batteries to keep baby moving.
7. Bouncers must have a three (3) point harness to keep baby safe from possibly falling out of the seat. A five (5) point harness, that contains over-the-shoulder straps, provides an additional means of safety.
8. Between less is more models to those that are completely tricked out with music, vibrations, sounds and toy bars, you'll have plenty of choices to make. Look for toy bars that are removable and interchangeable, so not only will you be able to keep them clean for baby, you can alternate the types of toys that will keep your little one amused.
9. Consider the portability of it---- chances are that if your bouncer becomes the only thing that soothes your baby, you'll want to be able to take it on the road when visiting friends and family. Make time to check before purchasing if the bouncer can be easily folded up or dismantled for travel.

According to a report filed in January of 2014 by Consumer Reports, of all the bouncer brands currently on the market, nine have received certification from the JPMA for meeting the required safety standards set by the ASTM International (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials). Of those nine brands, I've given a spotlight to three bouncers below that will be a handy, extremely helpful accessory to you and your family during those precious early days and weeks of your newborns life.

Summer Infant's Fox and Friends Sweet Comfort Musical Bouncer  

With four (4) comforting melodies to soothe your little one, Summer Infant's Fox and Friends Sweet Comfort Musical Bouncer contains a removable and washable toy bar featuring three plush, adorable woodland critters, including a red fox, chipmunk and hedgehog, that will amuse your little one. The bouncer seat is made out of soft material that will comfortably cradle your baby. The Summer Infant's Fox and Friends Sweet Comfort Musical Bouncer was very easy to assemble, and I appreciated the fact that the simple warm, woodsy brown colors on the seat would conveniently fit in to any nursery decor.  
JPMA certified, the bouncer seat has a three (3) point safety harness with a removable newborn head support. The bouncer seat requires 3 AA batteries (which are not included). For birth up to 25 lbs (pounds). Retailing for $44.99, the Summer Infant's Fox and Friends Sweet Comfort Musical Bouncer can be found in Target, Babies-R-Us and Buy Buy Baby stores nationwide, as well as online. For further information, please visit Summer Infant's website at: www.summerinfant.com

Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Deluxe Bouncer  

Soft, snuggly and oh, it's so comfy! With up to 20 minutes of soothing music as well as nature sounds and vibrations to calm your baby to sweet sleep, the Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Deluxe Bouncer is loaded with sensory and motion features. An overhead mobile containing a tiny plush puppy dog and kitten, which will help to captivate your baby's attention, building and strengthening their vision skills. JPMA certfied, the Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Deluxe Bouncer has a neutral colored, soft-head seat shaped in the form of a floppy eared pup, as the mobile (along with the seat pad and insert) is not only removable, but is machine washable, perfect for all those accidental spit ups and other messes that are soon to become all too familiar in your growing family! 
A safe and secure three (3) point restraint harness as well as volume control rounds out the bouncer, which is appropriate for use from birth up to 25 lbs (pounds).  
Retailing at $60.00, the Fisher-Price My Little Snugapuppy Deluxe Bouncer can be purchased at Toys-R-Us, Babies-R-Us stores nationwide as well as online at Fisher-Price. For further information, please visit Fisher-Price's website at: www.fisher-price.com

TinyLove Gymini Bouncer
If you are on the lookout for a visually stimulating bouncer seat for your newborn, then look now further than TinyLove's Gymini Bouncer. The cushy padded seat is machine washable. The bar arches are adjustable, making it quite simple to position them in multiple ways to place your little one in the seat as well as getting them out. The three hanging toys are designed in bold, bright patterns and colors, which include a smiling crab and starfish that light up and play music, a hippo that rattles, and a leaf teether, perfect for when baby's first teeth start cutting through. I appreciated the fact that the toys that are included with the TinyLove Gymini Bouncer are not only machine washable as well, but they are interchangeable, so you can purchase other kinds of TinyLove bouncer toys to add to the bar.
Calming, rhythmic vibrations, as well as a seat that can be positioned in either a recline or sitting stance, as well as being extremely lightweight to carry around the house, help to make this bouncer an ideal choice as well.
Retailing at $54.99, the TinyLove Gymini Bouncer can be purchased at Toys-R-Us and Wal-Mart stores nationwide, as well as online at TinyLove. For further information, please visit TinyLove's website at: store.tinylove.com