Bouncers

This baby seat from Oeuf has definitely caught my attention as I continue my quest for the perfect bouncy seat–one that is free of electronics and obnoxious prints.  Designed by Sophie Demenge and Michael Ryan, this seat is definitely understated, yet it is also hip and practical.  Although I’m not completely crazy about any of the available color-schemes, all of them are miles ahead of the fabrics used on most traditional seats.

The seat is designed for infants up to 18 pounds, and closes with a secure 3 point harness for safety. A shiny steel frame supports a padded cotton canvas seat that is completely machine washable.  The seat relies on the baby’s movement for soothing motion rather than electronics.

If you are interested in buying this seat for your own little one, or as a sophisticated gift, you can purchase one for $98 from designpublic.com.

Does this style look a little too ”grown-up” for baby? I guess you can find flower and animal prints galore online or at the baby store, but I like this sleek, modern look. Actually, the bouncer itself is made from just one piece of patented natural Stylewood.

I like the idea of no connecting parts, no links or snaps or screws. It has a very natural look and feel to its design. It is also designed for safety and comfort with a five-point padded safety harness and soft, padded everyday suede seat. It’s suitable for newborns and babies up to 26 lbs. This would make a very elegant gift for a baby shower and sure to please with it’s unique design.

Dimensions: 16.5 x 33 x 17.5″

Price: $199.00 at potterybarnkids.com.

I could not have survived my son’s infancy without my vibrating bouncy chair. In fact, I had two, one for when my son was a little bigger and appreciated more stimulation (it had an overhead piece with ocean movements and sounds.)

The Pod Bouncer by Combi is much more stylish than either of the seats I own and it is certainly eye-catching as well. I like the colors (there are others available should mandarin not be your flavor) and the removable “friends” hanging just in baby’s sight range.  The design of this pod is genius; I can’t count the number of times we tripped over the legs of our bouncy chairs, as they protruded so much from the actual seat.

The canopy comes off, the sounds and vibrations are built into the pod, and there’s a storage compartment at the back of it. If the music included is not your cup of tea, there’s a handy MP3 feature. This pod strikes me as innovative design at its best and can be yours for $79.99 at csnbaby.com.

Here is an interesting alternative to traditional bouncy seats. I don’t have a lot of experience with the Inglesina brand, except by reputation, but I’m intrigued by the simple look of the Inglesina Loft Rocking Chair. The seat is very well-padded for comfort, and is free from the bells, whistles, and vibrating units that can drive parents crazy. Instead, the seat relies on the infant’s movement to set it gently in motion.

The back of the seat can be positioned in four different ways, and the seat offers a 3 point harness for safety. The simple design makes it easily portable. This would make a great gift. You can purchase on for $119.99 at babyandmeboutique.com.

I have been spending a lot of time lately looking for the perfect baby seat—one that is comfortable for a baby without being an eyesore for parents. I just saw this seat from Hoohobbers for the first time. I’m not sure that this is ultimately the seat for me, but I am definitely drawn to the simplicity of its design. It is made of 100% cotton, machine washable fabrics. A unique feature allows you to adjust the feet to control the amount of motion. There are no electronic or vibrating parts—the baby’s own motion moves the seat. That is a definitely plus in my book—no batteries to change, and no worries about over-stimulation. A simple toy bar adds an extra level of amusement for little ones. The canopy is removable. You can purchase one for $64.95 at www.babyearth.com.

Here is another attractive alternative to traditional baby bouncers. The Coco rocker will easily blend in with your décor, which is a big plus in my book. It is very sleek and simple, yet it looks very comfortable. It also has a five point harness, which is pretty rare among bouncers and baby seats. It is available in a number of colors, with either a wood or plexi-glass base. The plexi-glass looks very modern, while the wood looks a bit more traditional. The seat supports infants weighing up to 20 pounds. You can buy one for $200 at moderntots.com.

Bouncers have been a lifesaver in my house. When my youngest was a baby, we had one on every floor. The problem is that all of them were ugly as sin. I hate having loud farm animal prints in the living room. So, when I recently came across the Svan bouncer, I was awestruck. With baby number three on the way, I’m thinking that maybe it is time to trade those ugly bouncers in for this sleekly designed seat. Apparently, I’m not the only one who is crazy about the look of this bouncer. It has been featured on the Ellen DeGeneres show, where Marcia Cross talked about using them for her twins, and Tyra Banks recently gifted mom-to-be Jessica Alba with one. They are made out of birch bentwood and come in a wide variety of color combinations. You can buy one for $119.95 at www.store.babycenter.com — in all, not a bad price to pay to get the farm animals out of the living room!