The mamaRoo Bouncer promises to be the next big trend in infant gear. Made by innovator 4moms, it moves up and down as well as side to side. It even mimics the motion of a car. It comes in a number of fun, modern colors, and features attached toys decorated in the style of famous artists. The product is expected to hit stores in January 10, 2010. You can pre-order one for $269.99 at modernnursery.com. Or, find out more, and watch a video at 4momsonline.com/mamaroo.

The Snoogie Seat is a unique, handmade soft seat designed for newborns. In the shape of a monkey, it has arms with velcro that “hugs” your baby as she reclines in the seat. With an inner cushion of cotton/polyester and a fleece removable outer cover, the Snoogie Seat is made to keep your child comfy and cozy. It also has a loop on which you can hang a child’s toy. Created by Daddy’s Design, the Snoogie Seat is available in Brown Monkey or Pink Monkey, for $49.99, at Shop.DaddysDesign.com.

Back when I was pregnant, I wrote about my enthusiasm for the gorgeous Svan bouncer, and it was one of my earliest baby purchases. I hated the ugly farm yard bouncer that my middle daughter used. This Svan seat (which has gotten a lot of media attention and was part of the Ellen DeGeneres Show’s baby shower episode) is gorgeous. We have the purple and brown model, and I could put it in any room in our house without it looking out of place. In fact, anyone who has seen it has oohed and awed over it.

There is just one small problem; we’ve never been able to use it. My daughter just doesn’t like it, and isn’t content in it. It is also rather hard to use since you have to fight with oblong buttons to secure the child. The good news? It folds flat for storage, which is where it is at this point. After my experience, I read other reviews online and they seem mixed. Some are very pleased with the purchase, others have experienced the same problems I have. I’d recommend you try one out before purchasing if at all possible. I wasted $120 on ours. If it remains a good choice for your baby, I found a deal for $95 at kids-scandinavian-shop.com. We, alas, are using our trusty dusty, ugly as sin, farm animal seat, which my daughter loves!

I’ma  huge Peg Perego fan, so I’m always excited when I stumble on a new Peg product. This Sdraietta Melodia Cedro really grabbed my attention, even though we’re well stocked on bouncers. Available in a number of hip colors (I love this bright green), the Sdraietta Melodia has some fun features like speakers for mp3 input and hanging toys to capture a little one’s attention. It can be used in either rocking, or stationary modes. The backrest is adjustable, so you can find the position that is best for your baby on any given day. It folds of easily so you can take it with you on the go. You can purchase one of these modern bouncers for $199.99 at BabyAndMeBoutique.com. The price is steep, but Peg products are built to last.

I really appreciate when a product has versatile features, like this Baby Gym and Walker by Hess. If your infant is at the pre-walking stage, use this as a gym while baby is sitting or lying down. Once they’re reaching up and holding onto whatever steady piece of furniture they can find to lift themselves up, they can use the Baby Gym as a Walker. You’ll really be getting your money’s worth from this product.

Visit KangarooBoo.com to purchase this item, priced at $129.99. It’s made of sustainable beech wood and handcrafted with non-toxic, saliva-resistant paint and glue.

 
My sons and I enjoy having the Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer around the house. My first son especially loved bouncer chairs. He ended up with two of them—one for when he was smaller, and the Ocean Wonders version for when he was bigger. My newest son enjoys watching the lights and listening to the sounds of the bouncer but isn’t as taken with it as my first was. There’s a detachable toy bar (and a parent-controlled or child-controlled setting for the lights and noises) with teethers attached, vibrations, and a comfy seat for lounging or bouncing in.

Though it takes 4 D batteries, they last for quite some time (even with hours of daily use.) Bounce it with your feet while using your hands to get other household chores done. You can purchase it at Amazon.com for $46.92. 

This Bright Starts By Your Side Seat looks a little roomier, and more sturdy, than a bouncer. It also raises the child high enough so you can pay more careful attention to them. I like the basket/bin under the seat. That would be a good place to keep baby’s toys or favorite blanket. It also plays 10 melodies and has volume control (a feature for which parents are always grateful!)

Visit BrightStarts.com to view and purchase this item, which is priced at $69.99.

Mamas & Papas is known for their line of high-quality toys.  We have a number of them at our house and have been very pleased with the appearance and durability.  The company’s bouncer promises to deliver that same level of quality. Designed for infants from birth to approximately six months, this Go-Go Rocker is free from the musical and vibrating gadgets that I dislike on many bouncers.  Instead, the child’s own movements create a gentle rocking motion.

The rocker features a head support for newborns, a padded safety harness, and a toy bar with three fun (but removable) Mamas & Papas toys.  The liner is reversible, so you can alternate between two different looks.  The feet can also be locked into place to keep the rocker stationary.

The Go-Go Rocker comes in a variety of color schemes. You can purchase this rocker on sale for $58.99 (roughly half the original price) at FAOSchwarz.com.

Now here’s an interesting improvement on the usual bouncer. This Svan Bouncer looks a lot more sturdy then most of the thin, metal framed bouncers that you typically see.  Featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Svan Bouncer features a fully adjustable seat that allows your baby to lay down for naps, sit up to observe her surroundings, or lounge anywhere in between. It’s great to find a product that is versatile and provides you with more than one option.

The padded fabric seat is easily detachable for machine washing. The Svan Bouncer folds up for easy storage and travel and is designed for children 6-30 lbs. It comes in many striking color combinations such as chocolate/orange (shown in above photo). Take a closer look at this product at PoshTots.com, where it’s priced at $99.95.

The Hoohobbers Infant Rocker Etoile is very pretty. It is available in a variety of prints and colors. What I like about this rocker is that it is light enough and portable enough to take along on visits to family and friends. Not everyone’s home is baby-ready.  With this Hoohobbers Infant Rocker you can set up your baby’s “area” and she’ll be safe and secure and happily bouncing. Baby can sit with the adults and be the center of attention while mom still has some mobility.

This rocker features a sling that cradles baby naturally like a mother’s arms. The baby’s own motion creates a smooth, gentle motion that is supposed to be more soothing than regular bouncer. The rocker also has a full, removable hood that protects baby from harsh light and wind, indoors and out. There are colorful, spinning characters on the removable toy bar that will engage your baby. Another neat feature is the rocker’s turn-down feet which can adjust amount of rocking, or stop it completely.

The Hoohobbers Infant Rocker is made of a solid polypropylene frame sling that measures 14″Wx24″D. All of its fabrics are 100% cotton and machine washable. You can also personalize the rocker with embroidery.

You can purchase this unique rocker for $78 at  maddiescloset.com.

Two high-end brands, Kate Spade and Maclaren, have teamed up to create this unique bouncy seat for fashion-forward babies and their parents.  Designed for infants from birth to approximately twenty pounds, the Maclaren Kate Spade Biarritz Rocker Bouncer is very modern, with a bold black, white, and red color scheme.  It is also made to be portable for parents (and babies) on the go.

The seat can be adjusted to a number of different positions and both the canopy and the toy bar can be removed.  If you and your little one are so inclined, you can add batteries to make the seat vibrate.  You can purchase one on sale for $89.99 at barebabies.com.  It would make a great goores.com for Kate Spade fans.

Here is a machine washable lounger suitable for little ones up to 18 lbs. The Oeuf Baby Lounger features a padded canvas seat (the machine washable part) that rests on its steel seat frame. I noticed this bouncer because it is so stylish. After a while our homes start to look like a daycare in every part of the house. It’s nice to have a piece of baby furniture that can “compliment” your home and even give it a little more style. Even without an animal print or bright primary colors, this lounger with two-tone coloring is very inviting and appealing to the eye.

The Oeuf Baby Lounger features 100% cotton outside, 100% polyester filling, with a satin chrome steel frame. It comes in Beige/Pink, Chocolate /Pink, Chocolate/Blue. Purchase one for $98 at pokkadots.com.

The Mozart Magic Music Cube by Embryonics (a division of Munchkin Inc.) is sold at GeniusBabies.com for a reason: it’s educational and creative. This toy is a multi-award winner as a breakthrough in music education (Dr. Toy, Parent’s Choice Seal of Approval 2000, National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 2000). Your child is able to “compose” and arrange an unlimited number of Mozart musical masterpieces by adding or subtracting musical instruments. I can’t tell from the picture how this is possible but I’m sure you and your child will have hours of fun figuring it out!

Pick one up for $39.95 at Genius Babies.com.

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.