After 4 kids, this is still the best baby gear item I’ve ever purchased

I have four kids 8 and under, so you might expect that my house is teeming with baby gear and kid toys.

But it turns out that for me, the more kids I have, the more I simplify our stuff. At this point, I’m down to the absolute essentials, the gear that I can’t live without and the toys my kids actually play with. And so when a mama-to-be asks me what things are worth registering for, there are only a few must-haves on my list.

Why the BabyBjörn Bouncer Seat is on the top of my list

The BabyBjörn bouncer seat is on the top of my list—totally worth it and an absolute must-have for any new mama.

In fact, since I first splurged on my first BabyBjörn bouncer eight years ago (it definitely felt like a splurge at the time, but the five star reviews were really compelling), the BabyBjörn bouncer seat has become the most-used product in our house for baby’s first year.

We’ve actually invested in a second one so that we didn’t have to keep moving ours from the bedroom to the living room when we change locations.

What is the BabyBjön Bouncer?

If you’re not already familiar with the iconic baby seat, let me explain. Originally launched in 1961, the simple Swedish design was the first of its kind and honestly, it hasn’t changed all that much since. It’s essentially a fabric seat attached to a flexible frame. The frame is made of sturdy but springy metal that forms a U-shape on the ground providing stability and allowing for the gentle bouncing motion.

The fabric seat is suspended between the two upper arms of the frame. It’s designed to cradle the baby in a slightly reclined position. There’s also a three-point harness built into the seat to keep the baby secure.

The whole thing is pretty minimalist–there’s no padding or thick cushions. Instead, it relies on the tension of the fabric and the flex of the frame to provide comfort and support. The simplicity of the design is part of what makes it so portable and easy to clean.

The utility of the seat might seem counterintuitive—it has no mechanical parts, so your baby is instead gently bounced by their own movements. In a world where many baby products are touted for their ability to mechanically rock baby to sleep, I get that many moms might not find the “no-motion” bouncer that compelling. But it turns out that the seat is quite reactive to baby’s little kicks, and it has helped my kids to learn how to self-soothe. (It also doesn’t make you want to hurl it out the window with repetitive songs and flashing lights. In fact, it doesn’t even use batteries!)

The BabyBjörn bouncer is super lightweight, and it also folds flat in a second. Because of those features, we’ve frequently stored it under the couch, in a suitcase or in the back of the car. It folds completely flat, which I love.

Entertainment zone:

Is the BabyBjörn bouncer toy bar worth it ?

Yes. The toy bar is totally worth it. Not only is the toy bar adorable, but it’s one of the first toys that my babies actually play with once they discover the world beyond my boobs. The toys spin and are close to eye level so they have frequently kept my baby entertained while I cook or take a quick shower.

Great style:

This is not a small detail to me–the BabyBjörn bouncer is seriously stylish. I am done with baby gear and toys that make my house look like a theme park. The elegant European design honestly just looks good in my living room and I appreciate that parents can enjoy it as much as baby. It also comes in a ton of colors and designs to match pretty much any taste. (You can also purchase additional covers separately.)

It’s adjustable:

With three height settings that let you prop baby up to be entertained, or lay back to rest, we get years of use. When your little one hits the toddler stage, you can even flip the cover and use it as a chair up until they hit 29 pounds. It’s that good.

It just works:

I wouldn’t be swooning over the BabyBjörn bouncer after eight years and four kids if it didn’t work. But I have used the seat as a safe space to put baby while I’ve worked (I once rocked my baby in it with my foot while I reported on a breaking news story for the Washington Post), and as a cozy spot for my second child to lay while his big brother played nearby. It’s held up for almost a decade with almost constant use.

So for me, looking back on what I thought was a splurge eight years ago, was actually one of the best investments in baby gear I ever made.

Shop the Baby Björn Bouncer below!

BabyBjörn

Bouncer Bliss

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$259

SHOP BABYBJORN

A version of this article was originally published on July 19th, 2021. It has been updated.