Parents' complete guide to baby bouncers and swings

Learn how to choose and use baby bouncers and swings for your newborn

Let’s take a closer look at what baby bouncers and swings are—their benefits, helpful tips for getting the most out of them, and what to consider when choosing one.

What are baby bouncers and swings?

Newborn bouncers and swings offer a cozy seat designed to comfort your baby with gentle movement. They mimic the soothing motions you naturally make when holding your newborn, moving either up and down or side to side as your baby wiggles. Always place them on the floor during use, providing a safe spot for your little one to relax or play.

Depending on which baby bouncers and swings you buy, it may even come with various special features—some frames fold up easily, while others have fun additions like lights, toy bars, or music to keep your baby entertained.

Benefits of bouncers and swings for babies

Baby bouncers and baby swing chairs are a great way to soothe and entertain your newborn, while also helping to develop their motor skills. It gives them a new place to sit and play, can stimulate them in new ways, and soothe them when they are tired through rhythmic movement.

They’re also great for you, the caregiver! It frees up your hands, giving you a bit of time to tidy up, relax, or simply spend time with your baby in a new way.

What is the difference between baby bouncers, baby swings, and baby rockers?

New parents may be overwhelmed with the choices available - should they pick a bouncer, a swing, or a rocker? While they all may seem similar, they all move in different ways and have different functions.

A bouncer allows your little one to recline and enjoy an up-and-down motion, prompted by their movement.

Swings sway your baby back and forth, either in a reclined or upright position.

Lastly, a rocker features a back-and-forth rocking motion, with the child usually in a reclined position.

Bouncers tend to be good for entertaining or stimulating your little one, whereas swings and rockers are generally better for soothing them. All three incorporate movement which are important in aiding your little’s one development.

Our Stokke® Yoga™ bouncer is a multi-motion baby swing and bouncer, that combines two of these motions—swing and bounce! This means you don’t have to choose between the two and can get the benefits of both in one product. It offers both gentle swinging for soothing your baby and active bouncing for stimulation, both helping to promote development and coordination. You can do a combination of these movements, mimicking the way you move your child when they’re snuggled in your arms.

When can your little one use a baby bouncer or swing?

You can use them from birth until your little one can sit upright. Once they can sit up on their own, it’s time to stop using the baby bouncer or swing as they may try to climb out of it.

You will also need to look at the weight limit, as they will all be different. For example, the weight limit for the Stokke® Yoga™ bouncer is 9 kg.

Should you choose analog or electronic?

When choosing a newborn swing or bouncer, you’ll generally find two types: electronic and analog. Electronic versions come with built-in motors that automatically move the swing or bouncer whereas analog options rely on either the caregiver or the baby’s natural movements to initiate motion.

Analog baby bouncers and swings offer a developmental advantage by encouraging the baby’s own kicks and wiggles to start the movement. This self-initiated motion, like with Stokke® Yoga®, helps promote motor skills, as the gentle swinging or bouncing is triggered by the baby’s own activity.

What to look for in bouncers and swings

With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know what to look for—so we’ve put together some key features to consider when looking for a baby bouncer and swing.

Design and quality

It’s important to consider the materials and quality of baby bouncers and swings to ensure they’re safe, comfortable, and built to last for your little one.

A bouncer or swing with a wide base is a great option for stability—the wider the base, the more stable it is. When it comes to the material cover for the frame, it is wise to look for something washable—accidents are bound to happen with newborns! Being able to remove the seat material and throw it in the laundry will make maintaining your baby bouncer and swing so much easier.

Stokke® Yoga™ bouncer features a washable main textile cover and a removable and washable newborn inlay. It also has a wide base with stylish, parallel wooden legs for stability.

Another thing to consider is the portability of your bouncer or swing. You want to always keep your little one close to you, whether you are tidying up or grabbing a bite, so it needs to be easy to move around the house. Portable bouncers and swings like Stokke® Yoga™ are great for this. It is portable and easy to assemble and disassemble—meaning it can easily move around the house, be stored in small spaces, and travel with you no matter where you go.

Comfort

While your little one will not be in their baby bouncer or baby swing for extended periods, comfort is incredibly important. Look for materials that are soft, comfortable, and breathable.

Keep an eye on the incline of the bouncer, as different angles are recommended for different stages of development. Newborns should be fully reclined to support their development and avoid overstimulation, as they’re not yet able to hold themselves up. As babies grow, around 6-9 months, a more upright position is ideal, allowing them to explore their surroundings and stay engaged at this active stage.

Some options, such as Stokke® Yoga™, allow you to adjust the position for different levels of recline, meaning it can grow with your child for longer. Stokke® Yoga™ also comes with a dual-layered fabric, with a bottom layer intended for durability, and the top layer a breathable cotton mesh, ensuring optimum comfort that lasts.

Safety

We’ll dive into how to safely use a baby bouncer or swing later, but there are a few safety features you can look for before you buy.

As we mentioned before, a wider base tends to be more stable. Something else to look for is an option with strong but comfortable straps or a harness that will keep your little one safe without hurting or limiting them. For example, the Stokke® Yoga™ bouncer has an easy-to-use 5-point harness.

It is also important to check the weight limit to ensure it can grow with your little one.

Baby bouncer and swing safety tips

There are a few things to keep in mind while using bouncers and swings to keep your little one as safe as possible.

Always keep an eye on your baby

The most important guideline is to always supervise your child in the baby swing and bouncer. While they are designed for comfort and entertainment, they should never replace adult supervision. Babies can surprise you in an instant—they learn new tricks in the blink of an eye! So, it’s best to stay close and keep a watchful eye on them.

Yoga bouncer should be placed on a flat surface, like the floor

Keep the bouncer or swing on the floor

Baby bouncers and swings should always be used on flat, stable surfaces—never on elevated spots like countertops. Similarly, avoid carrying them with your baby in it. While it may seem convenient, there’s too much risk of tripping and dropping the bouncer or falling with it. It’s far safer to unstrap your baby and move the bouncer separately.

Neither should be used as a place to sleep

While swings can be used to soothe tired babies, your child should never sleep in either a swing or a bouncer. It does not replace a cot or a bed, and if your little dozes off, they should be moved to a suitable spot.

Mother is securing her child in the bouncer with 5-point harness

Always secure your little one properly

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure your baby is securely strapped into the baby bouncer and swing—most come with a safety harness or straps to keep your baby safe and secure.

Avoid feeding your baby in the bouncer

These items should only be used for short periods and never used for feeding. In those early months, your little one doesn’t have strong head control yet, so it’s important not to give them a bottle while they’re in a bouncer, as it could lead to choking. And when they begin eating solids, it is best to do this sitting upright to help with proper digestion.

Only use until your child can sit upright

As previously mentioned, once they can sit upright, they should no longer use baby swings and bouncers. Ready to explore like never before, there is too high a chance they will sit up and cause it to topple over.

Are you ready for your perfect baby bouncer and swing?

Choosing the best baby bouncer or swing for your family and your little one is largely a personal one.

While factors like safety, comfort, and ease of cleaning are all important, at the end of the day, it is about making a decision based on what you are looking for.

With a dual swing and bounce motion to both stimulate and soothe your baby, Stokke® Yoga™ is an excellent option, as it offers you the benefits of both a baby bouncer and a baby swing in one product. It adapts with your child, adjusting to their weight, size, and developmental stage with three recline positions. Lightweight, easy to clean, and portable, it is an ideal choice.

Learn more about Stokke® Yoga™