Before my baby was born, I had bought nothing for him to sit in. Perhaps I thought he would lie in his crib all day - I'm not sure what I thought. Once he was born he needed something - but what? A baby bouncer seemed to be the perfect choice. The range was huge though, and the prices seemed to go from $20 to nearly $150
Which bouncer would my baby like the most?
Well, I plumped for a simple bouncer for $40. It had a few little toys on a removable bar across the front for him to play with. At first he didn't want to play with the toys anyway, so I just didn't use it. Later on he loved to kick and punch them, listening for the squeaks and rattles.
The bouncer was probably one of the best buys we made. It was cheap and cheerful, the baby loved it, and most importantly, we could put him somewhere safe while making a cup of coffee, nipping to the loo, or answering the door. It didn't need all the bells and whistles that some bouncers have - I don't think he missed out!
Baby swings
The other option would have been to get a baby swing. Some of these are also suitable right from birth. They tend to be more expensive, prices starting at about $80, but they have more things built into them. Varying swing speeds (I always thought the swinging was manual, but you choose a speed and it swings automatically) toy bar and toys, some have songs and music.
The final decision was about space
The final decision not the buy a swing was about space. Swings seemed to take up much more space than conventional bouncers and we had a small living room. So a bouncer it was!
Baby walkers
As he got older and more mobile he needed something a bit more stimulating and fun. I knew baby walkers were not recommended. I had heard stories about babies using them to walk over to tables and bookshelves and hurting themselves on things they shouldn't touch. I also read that they don't help babies walk, and in fact do the opposite! Anyway, he was too young for a walker - he was no way near walking or wanting to.
A "Door Bouncer" was next.
I wanted to get him one of those swings that attaches to a door frame. Everyone seems to call them a 'door bouncer' - not that the door bounces!! They looked like loads of fun. We searched the internet for one that was strong and safe. Advice on the internet said babies can user baby bouncers from when they can support their head - about 4 months old. It proved to be brilliant fun - he giggled and laughed every time he went in it. At first I was a bit nervous about getting him into it, his Dad helped and everything was fine. When he was really little I wouldn't have liked to get him in and out on my own. You seemed to need someone to hold the swing, while getting his legs and arms in the right place. As he got older and more robust - it was easy enough.
My Links : Double Baby Stroller Baby Stroller Travel System
