BABY BJORN BOUNCER REVIEW: Worth It?! How To Use + Comparison To Maxi Cosi, mamaRoo, Baby Delight

Wondering if the Baby Bjorn Bouncer is worth it? In short: yes!

In this BabyBjorn bouncer review I'll be sharing how to use it, how it compares to the Maxi Cosi, mamaroo swing, Fisher Price, Ergobaby Evolve Bouncer, and the Baby Delight dupe.

Discover what I like most about it, how it compares to competitors, and what I dislike about the babybjorn bouncer! Plus all your FAQs are getting answered about when newborns can start using it, how to clean it, and and what your options are for toy bars!

BabyBjorn Bouncer: How Good It Is?

It's been the best baby bouncer on the market for years for good reason. I can't even tell you how many moms have use it for 4+ kids, it lasts well beyond a decade thanks to it's simple, easy to clean design, and it's features really are unparalleled compared to other bouncers on the market.

It's portable, can be used on a wide variety of terrains (we use it at the beach multiple times a week!), soothes babe (especially if reflux symptoms are involved), entertains baby, is easy to clean and store, and it just generally my #1 baby product recommendation at this point.

Oh, and did I mention it converts to a toddler chair too?!

How To Use The BabyBjorn Bouncer:

When you get your BabyBjorn Bouncer you'll want to wash the cover. Just unloop the elastic from the hooks on the back and toss the cover in the washing machine. They recommend line drying it, but I've put it in the dryer on medium with no issues.

Afterwards, simply slide the cover back on, loop the hooks into place at the base, then seat your baby in it and fasten the safety clips.

Configurations

The BabyBjorn Bouncer has four different bouncer levels:

• fold flat,
• “sleep” which is the most reclined,
• “rest” which is a moderate incline, and
• “play” which is the highest upright position

Each configuration has a maximum weight recommendation, but you can still use that setting once your baby reaches that weight, the rocking function just doesn't work as well.

Beyond that, the bouncer can also be converted to a chair; so technically it has 5 configurations all in all.

BabyBjorn Bouncer newborn setting:

They recommend using the “sleep” (aka the lowest recline) position for newborns and waiting until the baby can hold his or her back and head upright.

Once your baby weighs more than 15.5 lbs they recommend stopping using this position as it won't bounce as well; but is still safe according to their manual.

How to convert baby bjorn bouncer to chair:

Once your child can walk and sit upright on their own you can convert the bouncer to a chair by simply reversing the fabric so the harness side faces the ground. This creates a deep seated chair for toddlers to use until around 2 years old or 29 lbs.

How do you clean the Babybjorn Bouncer?

To clean the seat, you simply unhook the elastic, pull it off the frame and add it to your washing machine. They recommend line drying, but I've put it on medium in the dryer without issue.

For the base frame they recommend wiping the rubberized parts with a damp cloth every now and then to ensure it's gripping the floor as firmly as possible.

Overall, it's really the lowest maintenance bouncer I've come across. If for whatever reason your seated portion does get destroy from baby blow outs or something else, you can purchase a replacement cover for much less than the bouncer costs.

What I like best about it:

If I say everything is that cheating?

Seriously though, I LOVE how lightweight this is! I can easily carry it in the same hand/arm as I'm carrying baby and move it around the house as needed with ease.

I LOVE the fold flat feature, which makes it the best portable baby chair option for beach trips or wherever we go.

While parents should always follow the ABCs of safe sleep, I will say that when we go to the beach and baby needs a nap, it's SO nice to have! My baby will NEVER sleep on my husband, but with this he can sit next to baby and bounce for a nap, while I play in the ocean with our toddler.

It truly feels like it gave me some semblance of normalcy back.

On the note of normalcy, my son was 100% colicky.

We struggled with some feeding issues that took a couple of months to sort out. During that time he was SO uncomfortable. After feedings he needed to stay upright for quite a while. We couldn't lay him flat on his back without him screaming. He hated being on the floor and even would freak out if we held him upright in our arms. The BabyBjorn bouncer was literally our saving grace. It was the only thing that truly soothed him and helped with his reflux symptoms at that time.

Once we past the colic and reflux stage, it was our go to option for extending short naps during sleep training (supervised again). It also is just his favorite chair to hang out in and entertain himself in now.

We love that the Baby Bjorn Bouncer converts to a chair – and so does our toddler! She uses it as a cozy spot to sit around the house, or if I'm feeding baby and the chair is available during beach trips.

Any problems?

Ours was a hand me down and I'm happy to say it functions as good as new!

Since we got it second hand, I can't speak to how the previous owner cared for the cover and it was pretty beat up with blow out stains. I've washed it and it does look better, but it still looks well loved if you know what I mean.

I don't mind it since it's not the color I would've chosen to begin with and we always put a blanket or towel between chairs like this and our babies to protect a little more from blow outs and so we don't go without it during continuous laundry cycles!

At the end of the day, it functions perfectly.

Would you recommend it?

Yes, yes, yes. It's the #1 baby splurge product I feel most confident in recommending to new parents! Though since the release of the Ergobaby Evolve Bouncer, they are slightly tied with a few minor distinctions to consider in figuring out which is best for your family, which I cover here.

FAQs about the BabyBjorn Bouncer:

What age can babies use Baby Bjorn bouncer?

From 0 months to generally 24 months.

The BabyBjorn bouncer use has less to do with age and more to do with weight though…

What is the BabyBjorn weight minimum?

8 lbs. For some newborns, this will be the day they are born, for others born at term, it may take a month or so for them to get there.

Can Babybjorn bouncer be used with newborns?

Yes, the Baby Bjorn bouncer can be used with newborns once they've reached 8 lbs.

Is Babybjorn bouncer safe for newborns?

Because the BabyBjorn bouncer is ergonomically designed to properly support baby's head, neck, and back it's considered safe for newborns once they've reached the minimum use weight of 8lbs.

Why is Baby Bjorn bouncer worth it?

The Baby Bjorn bouncer checks off a lot of key features that parents look for:

• Lightweight + portable (only 5 lbs, making it easy to lift and move around the house)
• No batteries or plugs – safer for baby and keeps it portable
• Folds flat for travel and easy storage
• Can be used for newborns up to 29 lbs as a convertible chair
• Easy bounce: parents can literally bounce it with a finger
• Encourages motor development: one the same note of easy bouncing, babies natural wiggle and kicking movements will even bounce this bouncer! Encourage motor development and active play while in it
• Soothing – something about this bouncer (maybe the cozy seat? easy bounce? who knows!) makes it the most consistently soothing bouncer across parents reviews

What is the difference between the Balance Soft and Bliss?

The color of the bouncer frame is the only difference between the Balance Soft and Bliss!

The Balance Soft has a black frame, whereas the Bliss is more of a greige frame. Everything else is identical from the shape, functionality, use, care, and features.

You can even interchange the covers between the two styles.

Babybjorn Bouncer Bliss vs Balance Soft:

Basically it just comes down to whether you want a black frame or greige one.

What is the BabyBjorn Bouncer weight?

4.6 lbs making it once of the most lightweight bouncers around.

How does it work for travel?

You simply adjust the bouncer setting to fold flat and you're ready to travel with it! If you're flying, I would recommend getting the carrying case.

However we just load it in the car as is a few times a week for beach trips and grandparents visits.

How long does the BabyBjorn Bouncer last?

I've heard of some families using theirs for over a decade!

It's SO well made and sturdy that I really can't see how it would break. My husband and I bounce it with our feet all the time and it's STRONG.

Ours was a hand me down and it functions as if it were new.

Is the babybjorn bouncer toy bar worth it?

I think it depends on the baby and how you use the bouncer. We used it a lot in the early days to soothe baby to sleep before transfering to his bassinet or to extend a nap (supervised of course) so the toy bar was pretty pointless for us at first.

However if you're using it for active awake time, the toy bar is a great option for engaging baby and they can easily reach the items. Plus when they go to reach the items is typically when they discover they can bounce it all on their own with some wiggles and kicks, which makes it worth it in my opinion.

Toy bar options:

The BabyBjorn bouncer toy bars are super cute and engaging. They have a few options to choose from:

We have the wooden toy bar with googly eyes and our son likes it quite a bit!

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, there are some toy bars on that parents have fitted on the BabyBjorn Bouncer:

Which is better a bouncy swing or bouncy chair?

Generally, bouncy chairs tend to be preferred from more babies than bouncy swings.

I started babysitting back in 2003 and used a bouncy chair back then with the newborn I watched. I've babysat and nannied for over 40 kids over the years and I've used a bouncy chairs tons of times but never used a swing until one was gifted to us in 2019 with my first child, who hated it. We held onto it because it was expensive, but my second child dislikes it even more than the first!

In my experience and from talking to other moms, babies seem to just like bouncy chairs in general more than bouncy swings that do all sorts of other things too.

And that applies to the big Babybjorn Bouncer vs mamaroo swing debate too! I've heard WAY more mixed reviews about babies liking the mamaroo swing versus the unanimous reviews of babies loving the Babybjrn bouncer. Plus the mamaroo isn't portable or easy to store.

Are there alternatives to the baby bjorn bouncer?

Yes, you can absolutely find alternatives to the Baby Bjorn bouncer. Afterall, like I mentioned baby bouncer's have been around for decades and there certainly are cheaper ones on the market. With that said, you do lose some features and they may not last as long. Here are the most popular ones:

BabyBjorn Bouncer vs Ergobaby Evolve Bouncer:

The Ergobaby Evolve Bouncer is probably the most similar to the Babybjorn bouncer in terms of design and functionality with a few improvements. They made the safety t-bar clasps significantly easier, the height adjustment smoother, and added a newborn insert as well as safety lock on the height settings.

Now with all of that said, I have always been a huge fan of taking our bouncer to the beach with us, and the Babybjorn wins in that department. The Ergobaby's anti-slip rubberized base clings sand a little too much for my liking and I'm unsure how their pedal height adjustment will hold up in the long run with the sand and salty air. Additionally it's just a smidge heavier.

With all of that said, you can't go wrong with either choice. I prefer the Babybjorn for beach trips, but love the luxe feel and easy buckle of the Ergobaby. Truly, I'd just go with whatever is on sale/cheaper at the moment because they are both great. Click here for my full Ergobaby Evolve review and to see it in action!

BabyBjorn Bouncer vs. Fisher Price Bouncer:

The two bouncers are both lightweight, with a deep cozy seat that's machine washable, and safety clasp but that's about where their similarities end.

BabyBjorn Bouncer vs. Maxi Cosi Kori:

Parents often wonder how BabyBjorn Bouncer compares to the Maxi Cosi Kori as both are lightweight, offer 3 positions, fold flat, and do not use batteries but instead respond to babies kicks to move.

However the key difference here is that the Maxi Cosi is actually a ROCKER not a bouncer. While it is easy to rock with one hand, that does mean it doesn't sit flat on the floor.

We personally use the Babybjorn a TON at the beach, so the Maxi Cosi would not work for us in terms of soothing movements at all in the sand.

The other big differences are that the Babybjorn lasts until 29 lbs and converts to a toddler chair, whereas the Maxi Cosi maximum weight is 20lbs and is intended only for the first year of life.

In my opinion, the Babybjorn Bouncer is also easier to clean and will continue to “look new” for years compared to the maxi cosi which has a wood print on the rim of steel frame, which could chip or show wear after years of use. This part of the BabyBjorn is covered by the seat cover so you don't have to worry about that.

BabyBjorn Bouncer vs. Baby Delight Alpine Deluxe

The biggest/best dupe to the BabyBjorn Bouncer in my opinion is the Baby Delight Alpine Deluxe. Both are bouncers that can fold flat for easy storage, have three height adjustments, weigh around 4.5 lbs, and machine washable covers. So what's the catch?

Well at a glance on Amazon the Baby Delight reviews look good – currently showing a 4.5 star rating overall (BabyBjorn gets 5 stars). I'm always skeptical of Amazon reviews as they are SO easy to manipulate unfortunately. So I started reading all the reviews rated 3 stars or lower, as well as filtered by the BabyBjorn mentions in the Baby Delight reviews. It seems that many parents had two major grievances with the Baby Delight:

• The toy bar kept falling off, rendering it useless and also a safety concern since it's above baby's head
• The safety harness has too much slack and many parents felt their baby was leaning forward and it was a safety hazard

At the end of the day you have to do what you feel best about! If you're someone who splurges and then struggles with buyers remorse, then probably get the cheaper option.

Personally, I'd feel more comfortable getting the BabyBjorn bouncer for those two reasons noted above. Factor in that we bring it to the beach and plan to use it with more kids, I'd rather pay the extra money for something that'll last versus something that I'll need to replace (at which point I would've spent more money than just buying the “splurge” version).

Final Thoughts…

The Baby Bjorn bouncer has been around for decades; heck it's even built to last for decades! It's portable, lightweight, easy to clean and baby's love it!

I think a baby bouncer in general is a must have, and with the BabyBjorn's great resale value, it really is a no brainer in terms of “splurge worthy” baby items.