Fresh take on our bouncy ball

Our Bounce A Bye Baby Ball is an interesting product.  Originally designed as a birthing ball, it also serves double duty as an exercise ball for mothers post-partum as it includes a safety stand for extra stability.

However, one of the things we love with blogger reviews is the new perspective they give on the products after they test them out on their own.  And this week, we had some new ideas from Holly at Mommies with Cents.

After the baby is born, the ball is still quite useful. Bouncing the baby on the ball is soothing and once they are ready to practice “tummy time”, the ball is an excellent tool.  Now there is a product made specifically for these uses that is not only cuter, but safer as well.

> Read the Mommies with Cents Review of Luna’s products

Enter to win a FREE Bounce A Bye Baby

OK so on to the real reason you’re reading more – the giveaway mentioned in the headline!  As part of their review, Mommies with Cents is sponsoring a giveaway of a FREE Bounce A Bye Baby to one lucky winner.  Hop on over to their site and checkout the simple contest rules where you can enter to win today:

> Enter to win FREE stuff from the Mommies with Cents

Infant swings versus baby bouncers

For many parents deciding between what they actually need and what they simply want be a challenge, especially when it comes to products for their baby. One great example of this can be seen when comparing an infant swing to an infant bouncer.

The truth is, there is absolutely no need to purchase both of these products.  They have a limited lifespan of usefulness and they serve the same purpose. But with a little research, you can easily decide which one make more sense for your home, your needs, and your infant.

The Case for the Infant Swing

Pros: Often have more features than baby bouncers, great for infants who are soothed by the motion of a rocking chair, larger and more stable than a traditional baby bouncer

Cons: More expensive than baby bouncers, not as portable, take up more space

The Case for the Baby Bouncer:

Pros: Portability – take it with you on short trips or even just to go outside, less expensive than baby swings, smaller than a swing so easier to fit into apartments

Cons: Can have stability concerns because it is smaller and lighter, not as many features on the inexpensive models, limited range of motion

More factors to consider

Both baby bouncers and infant swings have height, weight, and sometimes even age restrictions. They are generally not meant for use by babies who are too young to support their own head, so there is a limited window of time when a baby can use these products. If you still are not sure which one is right for your baby, talk to other moms to see if you can try their swing or bouncer. If your infant loves their swing or bouncer, you will have a clear indication of which will work best.

Alternatives to boring baby bouncers

While baby bouncers are a popular soothing aid that many parents rely on, not everyone is sold on the idea of a traditional baby bouncer.

Luckily, the market for baby products is one that consistently evolves to meet the needs and desires of parents, so there are several alternative available to traditional baby bouncers that you can use to help soothe your infant, including other baby bouncer models, infant swings, and exercise or bouncing balls.

3 alternatives to baby bouncers:

- Mobile baby centers. The traditional baby bouncer model is a stationary one that is portable and can sit on the floor. However, for some parents, there are concerns about the sturdiness or stability of this model, or they simply do not find it to be effective for soothing their child. For these parents, there are different types of mobile baby centers that allow the baby to push him or herself around a room for added stimulation, or mounted on a door for greater stability.

- Infant swings. A great alterative to a bouncer, some infants prefer the motion of swinging over bouncing. These are larger, bulkier, and heavier than bouncers, but it sure is nice to simply wind it up and let baby swing.

- Bouncing or exercise ball. For parents who are tired of purchasing products that their child will not be able to use in only a few months, an exercise or bouncing ball much like the ones you can find at the gym might be the bouncing solution for your baby. Products like the Bounce a Bye Baby are useful before, during, and after pregnancy, making them a better investment than a bouncer that will be quickly outgrown. Mother and fathers can sit on the ball and use it to bounce the baby, giving the same sensation as a traditional bouncer.

Bouncing for all the right reasons

With all the products on the market aimed at parents and promising to be the best soothing product available, it can be hard to discern what works and what doesn’t, or what you really want versus products that end up being a waste of time and money.

One product that many parents are interested in is the infant bouncer. There are a variety of models available, but overall this seems to be a pretty effective soothing method for many infants.

Soothing with a bouncer

Babies enjoy repetitive motion. This may be due to the fact that they were often in motion while in their mother’s womb, or because it is simply enjoyable to be bounced. Whatever the explanation, it can be hard on tired parents to bounce their infant constantly, which is where the infant bouncer is very useful.

When your baby is in the bouncer, he or she can be stimulated or soothed, and your hands are free to attend to other tasks. Bouncers come with a variety of features, including some that have multiple motion settings, so your baby will be entertained while he or she is awake and a more gentle setting can be used to lull the little one to sleep.

Remember, safety first

While there are a variety of infant bouncer models to choose from, make sure that any bouncer you use is sturdy, has a wide frame to avoid tipping issues, has a three or five point safety harness like the one on a car seat, and that your child is within the height and weight limitations for that particular model. This will ensure that your baby is safe while being soothed.