Bouncers are a great way to keep your baby close to you when your hands are busy, or when you need to shower, use the bathroom, eat, or take care of household tasks. They’re practical, safe, and designed to support the baby’s back and head for short periods of time. The gentle bouncing motion can mimic the feeling of being in the womb, bringing a sense of comfort and familiarity, from birth onwards.
Safe Sleep
While bouncers are super convenient, and it can be tempting to leave your baby there if he or she falls asleep, it is not recommended to let them sleep there for long periods of time. The safest way for infants to sleep is on their back on a proper mattress designed for babies. While they can take short naps under supervision in a bouncer, it’s not recommended to leave them overnight, or for hours at a time. This is because it can hinder neck and shoulder muscle development.
Best Practice for Bouncers
To get the best out of your bouncer, while keeping your little one safe and happy, we’ve got some tips on how to use a bouncer in the best way.
Keep it Age Appropriate
Different bouncers are made especially for specific age ranges and developmental stages. Many come with an insert designed to support a newborn’s head and neck while the muscles are still developing. When your child is past the recommended age for the bouncer, it’s time to replace it.
Use the harness
All bouncers come with a secure yet comfortable harness to keep the baby secure. Always remember to ensure that baby is always strapped in when using the bouncer.
Always supervise
Never leave your baby in a bouncer unattended. It’s vital to stay in the same room, and to keep your child in sight and earshot, so that you can act fast if the baby needs help. As the baby grows and starts to move around more, they can tip over while in the bouncer. It’s important that someone is there to ensure that they are always stable and safe.
Not a substitute for holding
While a bouncer can be a great way to get a break and keep your baby busy, it’s best not to rely on them too much, as babies need constant human interaction, and need to be held a lot. This is critical for their physical, emotional and interpersonal development.
Gentle Sleep Nanny is a Certified Baby Sleep Consultant and mum of twins. She helps families to train their babies and children into healthier and more consistent sleeping patterns that help the whole family get a great night’s sleep.
To find out more about baby sleep teaching and how it could help you, click here.
