Do I NEED a baby bouncer/chair?

[Strawberry06]

I'm about to give birth and this just occurred to me! (FTM)

I'm talking about one of them bouncy/rocker chair things that you put baby in when you want to do stuff.

They seem ridiculously expensive given how long baby is in them? Or can they be in them a while? I've checked locally and there's nothing second hand either.

We have our pram bassinet which is up to 6 months so I was planning to just put them in there if I need to put them down?

My mum is telling its an absolute must item but I'm not so sure, please correct me if I'm wrong!

Have you got any friends with toddlers? If so, I’d ask if anyone has one in the loft that you can borrow so you can see if your baby likes it before buying one. As demonstrated above, some love them and some don’t! If your baby likes it they’re very useful.

I wouldn't have been without our bouncy chair but that's because I'm anti-sling and didn't want to wear my baby (don't shoot me MN)
You can pick up really basic wire frame ones (that also pack flattish for travel) for less than £20, I think it's money well spent

I got one and we really loved it, but I know some babies won't be put down. Really surprised there aren't any locally.

You could just wait until baby is here and decide then

When I was pregnant I bought a rocking chair new because I couldn't find one second hand and I thought I'd use it loads... spoiler alert we NEVER used it and sold it when DD was 2.5

Yes/ i had one. Baby loved it from very early on

Mine was about £30. It vibrated and played music

She would sleep in it 👍👍👍

As others have said they will not lie flat when awake in a bassinet. The bouncer will allow you to have a quick trip to the toilet or other quick tasks hands free and so is a life saver. Get one second hand though as the good ones are £150 plus eg Joie etc - usually lots on Facebook marketplace as with a lot of baby stuff they grow out of them at about 9kg and are then offloaded as they can take up quite a lot of space.

I agree, I had an expensive one which broke. Bought a cheap thing framed bouncy on which was amazing for rocking easily. Until he was a bit older and started moving himself round the living room by thrashing his legs 🤣

But yes we used ours loafs, it's good to have somewhere safe to plonk them

Yes, handy to just pop them in for 10 mins here and there when you need to be hands free. I bought a fisher price one with monkeys hanging over it and both my babies screamed laughing at them. It was about £45, I used it for 2 children, then sold it in immaculate condition for £15. I wouldn’t bother with a jumperoo when they get older, that is a complete waste of money IMO.

Neither of mine have been fussed. DS1 screamed when put down full stop. DS2 didn’t like the swing seat at all, tolerated the baby bjorn bouncer but didn’t love it or sleep in it. He preferred just being placed on the floor from very early. I wouldn’t bother with a fancy swing seat at all. They take up loads of space and are expensive. I would however get a bouncy chair, but I would get it second hand for sure.

I went to Spain with one suitcase for four people and put the bouncer chair in - it was that much of an essential!

Have you tried Gumtree? Or if you’re around Manchester you can have mine for free.

You don’t need a fancy all singing all dancing chair, I had a normal bouncy chair that cost about £20 from Argos. If I was to do it all again I would definitely get the bouncy chair

Yes the cheap ones that bounce when the baby moves are brilliant, definitely worth having so baby can see you and you can see them.

we got a joie swing for my son when he was born. he's 2 and still sits in it if i'm feeding him his dinner lol. well worth the money and it was 2nd hand on facebook marketplace £40 like new

God yes, they were in the damn things until about 1yr. Was the only way the little sods ever napped. They're only cheap though from Argos.

It's one of the things I found most useful. Especially for my elder son who had projectile vomiting so was not good on his back. It gives you 2 hands free to eat a meal or make a coffee.

It doesn't need to be a £200 job but I would say yes its a must havre.
They are incredibly handy....

I have 2 they cost a grand sum of £20 for the pair...
I got one off a local baby what's app group the other off of fb marketplace.
I have a Fischer price terrazzo one and a baby Bjorn.

The FP one is beloved by every baby that has ever sat on it...!

Yes absolutely, it was so useful when you want to do something so that baby can see you, it was the only way I could get a good shower! I had a fisher price one with dangly bits and songs, both kids loved it.

We used ours all the time when DC1 was little and will be digging it out to use again when DC2 arrives. Ours is the red kite cozy bounce - it’s around £30 and has hanging toys, music, vibration and removable/washable cover for inevitable poo explosions.
IME the cheaper ones tend to bounce better and therefore be better liked by babies!

My mum made me buy absolutely everything with my first - and I went along with it because I believed we needed it all.

You probably won’t need half of the things.

I personally found a bouncer very useful for mine - I could leave her in it and she would be comfortable and quiet. It didn’t last long but she preferred that to the walkies (think that’s what it’s called)- she absolutely hated it!!

Every bay is different but there is no harm getting one when baby is a few months old if you think it will be handy.

had one. my daughter hated it so never used it. she survived

Useful if you have a refluxy baby, to keep them upright after feeds.

I found it very useful. My boy didn't really nap for long, it was good for mobility around the house so I can get things done like the dishes or taking a shower. I could keep an eye on him and he was happy that he could see me.
I didn't have an electric one. Just a standard one that did the job.

They're definitely useful and an easy place to pop the baby down for 15 minutes while you make a meal and eat in the early days. We got Joie one, it's not the most aesthetically pleasing, but it's cheap and cheerful compared to the cost of Baby Björn or Ergobaby ones.

Yes definitely.

Only way i could take a shower when DH was at work was to put baby in the bouncer and in the bathroom with me.

Plus she was happy watching me wash up whilst sat in it etc

She preferred the cheap ones as they're more bouncy and she really kicked her legs in excitement 😂

Also bought a BB one (second hand as they’re spenny new). Used until around 9 months, baby enjoyed it, I could put him in it to pump, shower, prep dinner. It’s one of the few items I’m considering holding onto just in case we have a second. He still fits in it at 10m but doesn’t like being restrained so it’s used a lot less.

Neither of mine cared much for them and wanted to be held, in a carrier or on the floor. It’s better for their development to not be in containers too much. But they are handy for things like having them in the bathroom with you while you shower. Just get a cheap one second hand.