BABY BOUNCERS

Baby bouncers, or bouncy seats, are miniature baby seats on a frame that perch a baby where she can watch the action going on around her. Usually the seat portion is made like a fabric sling. They may make a baby more comfortable after a big nursing because they put her in a semi-upright position; they also give a baby a place to watch family members work and play.

Most models jiggle each time a baby moves. Some come with a small, battery-operated motor for soothing vibrations (like a massaging bed). Others have rockers on the bottom or offer lights and/or music shows to entertain the baby.

Safety is an important issue. Don’t ever leave your baby alone in the seat, even for a few minutes, and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggested weight guidelines for use. The safety belt is critical, too. It will keep the baby from flipping out of the seat.

A non-skid surface on the seat’s base will prevent it from “walking” off table or counter edges. But, for maximum safety, seats should be kept on low surfaces to prevent falls. Frames are flimsy and can buckle, so never try to carry your baby from one place to another while she’s in the seat.

And don’t confuse a bouncy seat with a car seat. The former is lightweight, reclines, and is designed for use in the house; the latter is a heavy shell with padding to be used only when a baby is strapped into a car, into a specially equipped stroller, or into a grocery cart. Don’t try to substitute a car seat for an in-the-house baby seat. It is extremely heavy and can be toppled over by pets or siblings, possibly injuring the baby inside. (For more on car seats, see in this chapter).

A baby seat is a handy place to hold your baby while you work in the kitchen or do housekeeping chores. Those that jiggle or offer vibrations or rocking can substitute for a baby swing and take up a lot less space. Suspended toys or interesting sounds can be entertaining for the baby (but sometimes only momentarily).

They’re only useful for a small time before the baby can sit up. Baby seats sometimes fall from countertops and tables, resulting in serious head injuries. Don’t try to carry your baby in the seat; frames can sometimes bend, toppling the baby out. The sound effects intended to entertain the baby can be irritating.

BABY BATHING AIDS

All new parents are a little scared of giving that first bath to their babies. As long as the baby’s umbilical stump is still attached, you shouldn’t try to bathe the baby, and you probably won’t need to, anyway. Eventually, the time for bathing will come around. When it does, note that it’s really tricky to try to prepare a baby bath in advance and then have to deal with a slippery and not very happy newborn at the same time. (For more on how to pull off that first big bath, see in 3. Your Baby Maintenance Guide.)