5 Must-Have Features in a multifunctional baby rockers

Baby rockers and bouncers are products which make everyday life at home easier for parents and fun for toddlers. In our article you will learn which product to choose, what to pay attention to before purchase and how to use it to ensure your child's safety.

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What is a bouncer, a rocker and a bouncer-rocker for a baby?

There are a lot of such products and it is easy to get lost in it all. That is why we have prepared the following summary.

We distinguish:

• bouncers (the child stays in them in a reclining position),
• rockers (mechanical - the child is rocked by the parent or in an electronic way- the rocker rocks itself)
• bouncer-rockers (for both lying down and rocking).

Types of baby rockers

Bouncers such as the SMARTFUN and MILYFUN have three-point safety harnesses with a soft crotch protector so the baby won't lean out and fall out. Soft sides provide comfort and a toy bar will make lying down more attractive for your child. Bouncers with the option of playing melodies and vibration guarantee that the baby will not get bored quickly just lying down and watching the world. Then you can easily perform household duties. You will have your hands free and at the same time you will keep an eye on your baby and they will have a great time. 

There are also bouncers with a rocking function such as the FINIO. It is a simple bouncer which has skids - rocking is based on mechanical movement by the parent. Thus, a baby can either lie in it or be rocked. The minimalistic design gives FINIO a stylish character and makes it look good in any interior.

There are not many typical rockers on the market - only with a rocking function. Nowadays, we rather focus on multifunctional solutions. In our offer you will find MINKY rocker - a typical rocker for the youngest. It is a device that automatically rocks (you can set 3 speed levels and rocking time) and plays 8 melodies (including pleasant sounds of nature).

The largest number of products can be found in the category of bouncer-rockers These are modern, multifunctional devices, such as LUMI, FLO or UNIMO UP. You do not have to choose, your baby can lie down or rock whenever it wants. These are universal products and we will focus on them later in this article.

What does a baby rocker look like and what features does it have?

Rockers look like contoured bouncers. Some have a frame, such as FLO, while others resemble modern seats, such as LUMI and LULI.

FLO is an electric swing and bouncer in one. Simply lower the backrest to change its function. Rocking is automatic, just press the button and select the level of rocking. You can also set the time. Five-point harness guarantees your child's safety. The baby will definitely not get bored - FLO plays 8 melodies and has a toy bar with rustling toys. The set also includes a mosquito net.

LUMI or LULI, have seats made of plastic on one leg, lined with soft, pleasant material. LULI has a strong steel frame and LUMI is made of aluminium and is extremely light. These products are automatic - they rock by themselves! You do not have to sit next to your child all the time. You can adjust the rocking speed using the panel or remotely using the remote control. You can also set it to vibrate or play pleasant melodies (LUMI also has Bluetooth for playing music from your phone). You can also set the duration of rocking, vibrating and playing melodies. The most important thing, however, is the side rocking function (this is how parents rock their baby) - this makes it different from other rockers with the up and down function.

Rocking is safe thanks to a five-point safety harness with a soft crotch protector.

It comes with a toy bar that can be attached to the rocker. Mascots are sure to attract the attention of a toddler and encourage them to stretch their arms. The covers have a beautiful design, matching any interior.

The offer also includes an absolutely multifunctional product - NOLA. It is a bouncer, rocker, a cradle, a cot and a highchair in one! It is a product with a strong, steel construction. It is distinguished by a foldable hood that provides protection from the sun and wind.  It comes with a mosquito net, a toy bar and a mirror. Three-point safety harness ensures safety. The product can be easily folded and stored.

When can a rocker be used?

Opinions are divided on this subject. If you want to use a rocker from birth, make sure that your baby does not spend too much time in it. Newborns do not yet control the position of their head and torso. A good solution is a rocker which can be reclined to a lie-flat position, such as the NOLA.

Physiotherapists recommend putting in a rocker only babies who have already developed torso stability, that is, about 3-4 months of age. However, we should remember to use these products temporarily at the very beginning, e.g. when we have to cook something quickly or when we are simply tired with carrying a baby. A rocker should absolutely not be used for sleeping! 

When can a rocker be used?

When the baby starts to sit up (around 5-6 months), a rocker should be put away. Otherwise, the rocker may wooble when trying to sit up, and this may result in a fall. Manufacturers also list weight restrictions that should absolutely be followed. Unless it is a multifunctional product, such as the NOLA, which can be converted into a chair.

Which baby rocker to choose?

The choice depends on the parent's needs. Some parents prefer simple, uncomplicated solutions. Others - electronic devices that will take care of the rocking and will entertain a child by themselves with melodies, vibrations, mascots, etc.

When to buy a baby rocker? In what situations is it useful?

A rocker is most useful in situations when a parent needs their hands free. It can be a real lifesaver! Imagine a situation when you urgently need to make dinner for your family and you are alone at home. Usually it is possible only when a child is asleep. What to do in a situation when a baby is active? Carrying him or her in a carrier all the time is a bad idea - you won't be able to prepare anything in the kitchen with a baby on your chest. Also putting the baby down in a cot or playpen is not a solution, because a baby will quickly let you know that this state of affairs does not suit them, they will quickly get bored.

A rocker is often the only option! You can set it then in the kitchen, a baby will be happy because they will participate and observe what you do. And you will gain freedom of action! Here LASTREE deserves your attention - a feeding chair that can turn into a high bouncer. It is a perfect observation point for a baby.

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Disadvantages of a baby rocker

If you use a rocker wisely, i.e. you do not let your child spend too much time in it, then there is no reason to worry. A rocker is a good solution to put your baby down for a while when you need to take care of something. Remember - your child must always remain within your sight.

A baby who can already sit up, can spend 30 minutes a day in a rocker. However, you cannot keep your baby in it for more than 2 hours every day - that's too long. The baby should be given the opportunity to lie down on a flat, firm surface. The baby will then naturally exercise.

Physiotherapists point to the fact that a baby lying in a rocker does not exercise the deep muscles of the torso. It is true that babies move their legs and arms, but they are supported in such a way that they have no way of stabilizing the torso.

The baby's position in the rocker may contribute to body asymmetry and head flattening, as the torso is usually bent to one side.

Remember that naturally your baby finishes the stage of lying on its back around 7 months of age. This is evidenced by a seemingly inconspicuous, but important activity, which is... putting the toes in the mouth

Many parents find that a baby bouncer can soothe a fussy baby—as well as provide a secure, engaging spot to place an infant while the adult accomplishes other tasks. (Know, though, that these seats are not safe places for a baby to sleep.) After putting in eight hours of research—including speaking with a sleep consultant, several baby-gear experts, and plenty of parents—and spending 20 hours testing 10 baby bouncers, we’re certain that the sturdy and versatile BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft is the best bouncer of the bunch.

Offering features similar to those of models that are many times as expensive, this cheery-looking chair both bounces and vibrates.

This battery-free, baby-propelled bouncer is durable, portable, and versatile—offering more positional options than any other model we tested. It converts from a bouncer to a chair, accommodating newborns to 2-year-olds, and our testers loved its sleek design.

Our pick

BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft

The best baby bouncer

This battery-free, baby-propelled bouncer is durable, portable, and versatile—offering more positional options than any other model we tested. It converts from a bouncer to a chair, accommodating newborns to 2-year-olds, and our testers loved its sleek design.

Buying Options

$208

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The BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft was more responsive to a baby’s movement than any other bouncer or rocker we tested—and it’s also the most sturdy, versatile, portable, and stylish model. It’s light and it folds flat, so it’s convenient for travel and storage. We love that it can convert into a bouncing toddler chair, supporting kids up to 29 pounds. And though it’s significantly more expensive than most other models we considered, we think this built-to-last bouncer is worth the investment for families who plan to use it with more than one kid or want to sell it once the child has had their fill of bouncing.

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The compact and lightweight Bright Starts Playful Pinwheels Bouncer is less responsive to a baby’s movements than our pick, but it offers battery-powered vibrations. (The BabyBjörn bouncer does not.) Though sufficiently sturdy, the Bright Starts bouncer’s thin metal legs make it feel flimsy compared with the BabyBjörn model. And though the seat will hold a kid weighing up to about 20 pounds, it doesn’t have a dedicated toddler mode. However, at a fraction of the cost of the BabyBjörn bouncer, the Bright Starts bouncer is a solid budget option.

Because of its 40-pound weight limit, the Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker has the potential to be useful longer than the BabyBjörn Bouncer, yet it’s closer to the cost of our Bright Starts budget pick. It’s sturdy, and it offers two positions, a vibration mode, and a toy bar with a musical elephant. But this rocker is not as easy for babies to get moving on their own compared with the BabyBjörn, and it’s not as well made. In 2020, Fisher-Price redesigned the Infant-to-Toddler Rocker. Representatives told us, however, that the changes are purely aesthetic and the functionality remains the same, so we still feel comfortable recommending this rocker.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of multifunctional baby rockers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.