Need opinions- bouncer, jumperoo, exercise saucer

albjag

I am finishing our registry and someone suggested I get one of these.  I just found out there are 3 different things- so what's the difference between them

and what did you use?   I am clueless- 

Thanks 

mama_cito95

From my experience, a bouncer is one of those cradle seats that you can buckle a baby in and the baby's movement can cause the chair to bounce.  It often has an activity bar for the baby to play with.  Babies can outgrow these quite quickly.  But good for younger infants who cannot sit up by themselves yet.  Because babies outgrow these quickly we borrowed one from BIL until DS grew out of it.

Sample: https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12179655

A jumperoo is like a non-moving baby walker. The baby can also bounce in this.  Often surrounded by busy things for the baby to reach and grab and manipulate.  They need to be able to sit up on their own.  The height can be adjusted to 3 different levels to adjust as the baby grows.  We bought one and DS loved it.  The one we got is the one below.

Sample: https://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/brands/babygear/products/55639

And finally an exercise saucer is the same thing as a jumper except that a baby cannot jump/bounce in it.  

Sample: https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3420756 

queenbone

My first was never interested in a bouncy seat, or rather he didn't like the hand me down one we had. I got a different one (with a vibrator) as a hand me down when DS2 was born and that was really helpful for use in the bathroom when I needed to shower. Then I'd move it into my room while I was getting dressed and then that was about it. I didn't want him to be in it too much.

We lived in a bungalow and didn't have a lot of floor space so I opted for a johnny jump up rather than a jumperoo or exersaucer.  This hangs in the doorway and doesn't take up much space.  I used this when I was cooking dinner.   DS1 enjoyed playing in it. DS2 not so much.  Perhaps the difference was I was more interactive with DS1 when he was in it. DS1 would antagonize DS2 when he was in it. Ah, brotherly love...

mel72

Both of mine LOVED the jumpie, we had the fisher price rainforest one.  It was also helpful when DS1 was up until 1AM refusing to sleep, pop in there for a few minutes and he got tired.

Dragonfly1226

queenbone:

I got a different one (with a vibrator) as a hand me down when DS2 was born and that was really helpful for use in the bathroom when I needed to shower. Then I'd move it into my room while I was getting dressed and then that was about it. I didn't want him to be in it too much.

This. We never got a jumperoo or an exercise saucer, but the bouncy chair was a life saver when P was an infant and I needed to take a shower. My MIL has one that lights up and plays music when the baby kicks, and he really liked that until about 5 or 5 1/2 months when he was closer to sitting up on his own.

laura1

They can be separated into 2 groups - bouncer or swing, and jumperoo or exersaucer.  

We had both bouncer and swing, but both kids preferred the bouncer (we got a travel swing since we had a small apartment and didn't have a lot of room for a big swing).  Now they make a combination bouncer/swing that I wish I could have bought!   

We just had an exersaucer - but the jumperoos look like fun too.  I registered for the exersaucer, but you don't have to - babies don't use those until they have pretty good head control, so around 4 months.  I liked having the exersaucer since it was another safe place to put the baby down - especially DD.  She was the second kid, spent a lot of time on her own in the bouncy or laying on the floor and got a bit of a flat head.  It was nice to put her in the exersaucer where she was upright and not making her head worse! 

Sunshine05

We have a bouncer seat that vibrates and has a toy bar, a jumperoo, and a cushy plush swing.  We have used them all a good deal.  The swing being soft and cushy was great for her to nap in, the others ate more for play/containment so I could cook or get some cleaning done.

ela81

To me, the bouncer is totally different from the other 2. I say, get a bouncer for sure. You can use the bouncer from day one. I agree, you need to get one that vibrates. It's great because it's easy to grab and take around your home with you (like when you want to shower and keep and eye on baby) and it's also nice to take with you if you are going to visit a friend or something.

We had and exersaucer and my DD loved it. We were able to put her in it starting around 4 months or so. I'm sure the jumperoo is great too but we did not have one. We got the door way jumper which was a huge hit as well.

 

MrsNap_515

we didn't register for any of those, but after a week of no sleep since she can't sleep flat on her back, we bought a bouncer, but she HATED it, so we bought the rock-n-play, and it's a miracle i swear, we call it the magic crib, she's slept every single night since we've had it!

i don't think those things are necessary, you may be able to wait and see how your LO is once they are here, since each baby is different.

so1966

i recommend getting a bouncer for the newborn/infant stage.  we used our bouncer for quite some time and also to put our LO to sleep.

i also recommend the exersaucer.  he also enjoy that, too!  we still put him in it to also watch videos.  my LO is still using it and he's 14 months.

DrRx

I would highly recommend a RNP instead of a bouncer.  My daughter isn't a fan of the bouncer but the RNP is where we set her when we are doing things,etc.  

I have a preemie, and her Developmental Specialist (as well as other sources I've found online) recommended against walkers or jumpers.  They say that it interferes with their muscle development and may actually delay walking as opposed to helping it. Based on their recommendation we are not using any of those things.  

GL! 

LnR70707

We had the Fisher Price froggy Bouncer and it was an absolute must have for us.  It was light and portable and DS napped in that or his PnP the 1st 2 months because he hated the swing at first (that became a must have later).   I picked up an exersaucer for around $40 at a resale when it seemed like something DS would enjoy.   You really can't use an exersaucer/jumperoo until 4-5 months anyway, so I personally would wait on those and decide between the 2 when you know your child's personality.

bearfootz

I don't know what I would have done without the bouncy seats when my kids were babies.  I've seen some neat ones out there now that can be converted to swings and stuff too.  I agree with pp, a bouncer is more for when they are newborn/infant stage and won't be used as the same time as the exersaucer or jumperoo.

For the twins we had both an exersaucer and jumperoo - it seems like they could use the exersaucer first, but enjoyed the jumperoo more.  The jumperoo does take up more space though, but was very helpful when I needed to entertain them and confine them to one area so that I could vaccuum or cook or something.