When you're expecting a baby, you may suddenly look at your home with very different eyes. Vaes and ornaments will have been put away, many plants will have been googled for toxicity and pointed glass tables and sockets will appear as immediate danger. Yes, there is a lot to consider. Everything is scrutinised, clothing, care products, prams, baby carriers and of course the much-discussed baby bouncers must also withstand your critical thoughts. That's why we want to take a closer look at safety in bouncers.
What you should look out for when it comes to the safety of a baby bouncer
A baby bouncer is actually very simple and yet offers so many possibilities: You can "park" your baby there when you want to have your hands free, it can be fed there later (when you introduce complementary feeding) and in the long run baby can even regulate itself by bouncing the rocker gently with its own body weight and movements. You can take it anywhere and clean it easily. It’s really practical! But is it safe? Or rather: What does a baby bouncer have to be able to do to be safe and what do you have to look out for when you put your child in it? First of all, it is important to know: Through national, European and internationally established regulations and design rules, certain standards have been developed that are revised and updated at least every five years. Through these safety requirements, parents can be sure that many baby products must meet certain standards and minimum requirements so that your little one does not come to any harm. For example, baby bouncers are subject to DIN EN 12790:2009 or EN BS EN 14036:2003. In addition, there are certain voluntary and independent quality seals that scrutinise a product from different perspectives, test it in detail and certify it. In Germany, for example, there is the Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. (Healthy Back Campaign), which awards the "Tested & Recommended" seal of approval for back-healthy products - such as our Ergobaby Evolve 3-in-1 baby bouncer. So far so good - this is the dry theory, but which points are particularly critical for baby bouncers and what should you as parents pay special attention to in addition to the minimum standards?
#1 - Ergonomics that grow with the baby
The ergonomics in a baby bouncer should be similar to those in a good baby carrier. In addition to a well-supported spine and legs in a squat-splay position, the focus is on the head. Since babies can only turn their heads to the side to 45 degrees in the first few months, and only with a slight hyperextension of the cervical spine, the back of the head should always have enough room to turn. It makes more sense here to have less padding in the newborn insert and less tension in the fabric of the bouncer so that the child is not forced into a tilted position of the head. Now you may ask, what does this have to do with safety? Quite simply, the chin is often pressed down on the chest and this can restrict breathing. Therefore, be careful when buying a bouncer!
#2 - Good stability
A large and stable base of the baby bouncer with rubber feet offers support and safety, which is needed for when baby gets a bit bigger and has more strength to bounce that little bit harder. The Ergobaby Baby Bouncer is equipped with only one fixed point so your baby can easily rock the bouncer with its own arm and leg movements, so that the head and pelvis move but the whole child is not rocked back and forth uncontrollably. Of course, as parents you should only ever use the baby bouncer on a solid surface so that the bouncer can never tip over.
#3 - Additional safety mechanisms
To prevent siblings from being able to change the recline levels, baby bouncers should have additional safety mechanisms to prevent this happening. Our Ergobaby Evolve Bouncer has a pedal lock on the foot pedal, and a safety lever on the side of the frame for folding. This prevents big sister or brother from getting into mischief.
#4 - Back-friendly operation
Pregnancy, birth and postpartum are stressful enough, so parents shouldn’t have to worry about baby equipment but focus on their own physical recovery. There is a reason that Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. has awarded our ergonomic baby bouncer its back-healthy seal of approval. It's easy and gentle on your back and pelvic floor to change the position of the rocker with just one hand and your foot - it couldn't be easier.
#5 - Child's play hygiene
This point is also part of safety, because only a clean environment guarantees a cosy and healthy environment for your baby. Washable, easy-care fabrics are therefore a must. In just a few seconds, the two loops of our Evolve Bouncer are activated and the fabric is completely removed for washing (in the machine at 30 degrees). Of course, the cover can be put back on just as quickly! By the way, a little tip: you can find additional covers in our shop, so mum and dad don't have to argue about the colour of the bouncer.
#6 - Optimal climate
Not too hot in summer, not too cold in winter - oh, there's so much to think about. So that you don't have to rack your brains over such issues, we have used three different materials for our baby bouncer: cosy fine knit, breathable mesh and cooling cotton. These offer support and regulate baby's temperature, because as you know, your baby should be neither too hot nor too cold. So always check and keep an eye on your baby. In combination with a different number of layers of clothing, you can make your baby comfortable, depending on the ambient temperature.
The most important safety tips for using the baby bouncer
- Never leave your child unattended in the bouncer.
- Do not use as a bed and do not put your baby in the bouncer to sleep.
- Only place on a firm, non-slip surface and never on a table/kitchen sideboard or soft surface.
- Never carry the baby around in the bouncer.
- Please always fasten the child's harness in the bouncer.
- As soon as the child can sit independently, the crotch strap must be removed.
- The bouncer (with crotch strap) can be used up to max. 9 kg.
- The toddler chair (without crotch strap) can be used up to 13.2 kg.
- Always use the pedal lock so that siblings cannot adjust anything.
- The child's movements can move the bouncer, regularly wipe the rubber feet with a damp cloth and keep them clean.
- Before use, always check that all locks are correctly engaged.
- And very important: always read the instructions for use and keep them!