BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss review

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Good for parents who

• Want a bouncer that looks attractive
• Need a seat that can easily be moved around
• Are short on space and want a bouncer that can be folded when not in use

What we love

• Bouncer responds to baby’s movements
• Can be used from birth up to the age of two
• The only bouncer we tested to come fully assembled
• Has three recline options
• Folds flat for storage or travel
• High-quality fabric hugs baby and gives good support
• Seat cover is removable and machine-washable
• Stylish design

What to know

• More expensive than most of the baby bouncers we tested
• Toy bar comes at an additional cost
• At the highest setting, the seat reclines a bit too far

Product information

• Age range: Suitable from birth up to two years (3.5-13kg)
• Dimensions: 56 × 79 × 39cm (highest position) and 11 × 89 × 39cm (transport mode)
• Weight: 2.1kg
• Materials: We tested 100% stitched cotton but it is also available in airy mesh and 3D jersey
• Colours: Currently available in nine colours – anthracite (cotton), anthracite (mesh), pearly pink (mesh), slate blue (mesh), black/midnight florals (mesh), navy blue (mesh), charcoal grey (3D jersey), light grey (3D jersey) and dove blue (3D jersey)
• Retailers: Can be bought from a range of retailers, including Amazon and John Lewis
• Extras: Toy bar (from £28.99), transport bag (£17.99) and extra fabric (£53.99)
• RRP: £210 (depending on fabric and colour)

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What is the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss like to assemble?

There’s no need to worry about how long it will take you to put the BabyBjörn Bliss together or whether you have the right tools to do it as this product requires no assembly at all.

It was the only bouncer we tested to come already set up so all you have to do is unfold it and pop your baby inside, which is a stark contrast to the likes of the Tiny Love 3-in-1 Rocker Napper which took almost an hour to put together.

The instructions show you how to change the position of the bouncer and fold it down for storage or travel, with clear diagrams to help make both very straightforward.

When it comes to additional help, the BabyBjörn website provides videos showing how to change the recline positions, remove and wash the cover, and how to convert the bouncer to a child’s chair (you simply take the cover off and turn it the other way). There’s also a copy of the instructions online as well.

Is the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss safe and stable?

This is one of the areas where this bouncer scored top marks. Though the seat is lightweight and soft, the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss still feels robust. It is designed to respond to a baby’s movements, so the frame is very bouncy. The bounciness was also thoroughly tested by our newborn baby’s five-year-old brother who liked to rock his sister in the seat.

Even without a baby inside, the Bouncer Bliss didn’t topple over when knocked – it was used on wood, slate and carpet flooring. Thanks to the sleek design, there are also no legs or parts sticking out of the frame for parents and other children to trip over.

The soft cotton material dips to hug the baby and has been specially designed to offer good support for their neck, head and body, making the bouncer suitable for newborns. The seat’s three-point harness is secured by buttons so there’s no risk of little fingers getting caught or energetic babies wriggling free.

The BabyBjörn Bliss will grow with your baby from birth until two years old. This means that, while your baby is in the bouncer, they'll be getting the correct head and back support that is particularly crucial during those early months.

When switching between the recline positions, always make sure the positioner is locked into place before putting your baby in the seat.

The Bouncer Bliss also complies with European safety standards and has recommended weight restrictions for each position of the bouncer – as such, ensure you read the instructions before use.

What’s it like in day-to-day use?

The BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss proves that, when it comes to baby products, you don’t have to sacrifice substance for style.

Weighing just 2kg, the frame can easily be moved from room to room, and it’s slim enough to fit through doorways and be carried up and down stairs.

Our tester, Luci, loved that she could get on with making dinner or playing with her older son with reassurance that her daughter was always close by. She often took the Bliss round to her neighbour’s house and could easily carry it with one hand. It also folds down flat for travel and is small enough to be stored behind a sofa when not in use or if you want to stow it away while your child is occupied in their playpen.

The bouncer has three recline options to choose from – play, rest and sleep – with the lowest setting best for younger babies. You can switch between them gently by using the positioner at the base of the seat without disturbing a sleepy baby.

The play position allows a baby to sit upright and watch what's going on around them. The rest mode is a more reclined position and is handy for when your baby is looking a little weary but not quite ready to drift off to sleep.

If you've managed to convince your baby that it's naptime, the sleep mode will allow them to lie comfortably. If they start to stir, their movement will start the bouncer and (hopefully) rock them back to sleep.

Because the Bouncer Bliss has been specially designed to respond to a baby’s movements, all you have to do at the newborn stage is give the bouncer a gentle nudge with your hand or foot and it will start the bouncing motion.

As they get stronger, they can start the motion themselves by kicking their legs or waving their arms – this happened for our tester’s baby at the fourth-month mark. This can help improve their balance and motor skills, and teach them how to self-soothe – very handy for nap times.

Safe sleeping advice states that babies should, however, not sleep in a bouncer for long periods of time.

Like the Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker, once your child reaches 9kg or they can sit up on their own, the seat transforms into a toddler chair for them to relax in. Our tester did feel that it may recline too far back for an older child to use, even at the highest setting, so she couldn’t see herself using it long-term.

The big downside to this bouncer is that it doesn’t come with a toy bar or any sensory toys for babies – you have to pay extra for this so you may find older babies need more stimulation. When the bouncer already has a fairly hefty price tag, the additional cost could also be a turn-off for some parents.

How easy is it to clean?

The cover easily slides on and off the frame and can be machine washed at 40 degrees. BabyBjörn recommends using an eco-friendly, mild and bleach-free detergent and not to tumble dry or iron the fabric.

Formula and baby sick both wiped off easily during testing. Our tester also spilled some tomato pasta sauce on the cover and it came out clean, while keeping its shape and colour, after machine washing.

You can purchase additional seat covers on the BabyBjörn website if you need a spare set.

Read next: We've thoroughly researched the best baby thermometer, as recommended by parents and carers.

How does it look?

This is a baby product that you will be happy to have in your home. Its grey base and neutral colours set it apart from more traditionally colourful models, such as the Chad Valley Jungle Friends Bouncer, and make it a piece of baby furniture you won’t be desperate to hide away at the end of the day.

We tested the stitched 100% cotton bouncer in anthracite, a neutral grey colour, which our tester loved – it was also useful for covering up any faint marks and still looked brand-new after testing.

The covers can also be bought in a range of stylish neutral colours and patterns, and two more fabrics – airy mesh or 3D jersey – which are all soft for a newborn baby and fit any décor.

Is the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss good value for money?

It retails for about £180 to £210 depending on the style and colour, so the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss is definitely at the higher end of the market when it comes to the price, especially if you also have your eye on the extra toys.

While we felt the bouncer would have benefitted from a vibration option, the combination of style, functionality and longevity does means that it could be worth your money.

This bouncer currently sells for approximately £85 secondhand, so you may also see a good return when you’re finished using it.

Final verdict

If you want a stylish, streamlined seat that your baby will be comfortable resting and playing in, then the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss could well be it.

Completely customisable, from the base material to the colour, we challenge you to find a design that you won’t like.

The bouncer lost points for not having a toy bar, but scored highly for its chic design, soft and supportive fabric, and compact and lightweight frame that you can take almost anywhere with you.

Read next: Check out these parent-approved bath toys for babies to encourage play and development. They're also ideal for distracting a fussy child while you wash their hair with baby shampoo. 

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All prices correct at time of publication