Are you looking for a remedy to help your little one cope with reflux? As you may have already heard from other experienced parents, a bouncer can be a good tool to help reduce reflux and keep your sweet baby happy.
Before you start shopping for the best bouncer for reflux babies, take a pause and read through this guide to see if a bouncer is the best solution for you. If it is, what can you expect from using a bouncer?
In this guide, you will learn:
- Things to know about reflux
- Is bouncer the right solution for you
- How to shop for the best bouncer for reflux babies
- Best bouncers for reflux babies
- Commonly asked questions
Our Top Picks
Things to Know Before Buying A Bouncer for Reflux
What is reflux in babies?
Reflux is also called gastroesophageal reflux, or GER. It happens when food or milk comes back up from your baby’s stomach and causes spitting. Do you remember the heartburn or acid reflux during pregnancy? In a way, they work similarly. But don’t worry, reflux is normal among infants especially newborns and it is rarely a cause for concern.
Why is my baby having reflux?
Reflux is extremely common and happens to many healthy babies. The main reason is that the ring muscle (LES) between the esophagus and the stomach in babies is still weak. However, there are some contributing factors that can make it worse. For example, babies lay on their backs most of the time and this is not the optimal position for digestions. Another potential cause is drinking formula with too much air inside. If your little one was born prematurely, she will need more time to adjust to eating food outside mommy’s womb.
How do I know if my baby has reflux?
The most common symptoms of reflux are spitting up and vomiting. That’s why you will not miss it because you can see milk coming out from your baby’s mouth. Additionally, frequent hiccuping may also indicate reflux. However, there are also subtle signs of reflux that are often missed. For example, being fuzzy during feeding, making gagging sounds, or back arching.
How to help my baby relieve reflux?
First, let’s set the expectations right, you will not stop your baby from having reflux. Because reflux is a growing process and all you can do is to help reduce the occurrence.
- Burp your baby after every feeding. Additionally, you may also take a break from a feeding session and burp your little one
- Hold your baby upright after feeding to let gravity help food travel through her stomach
- Change to a different formula if your baby is sensitive to cow milk
- Encourage tummy time to reduce the amount of time your baby stays on her back. You can find the best activity gyms for infants that are designed to make tummy times more fun.
Is Bouncer the Right Solution for You
What is a baby bouncer?
A baby bouncer is a stand-alone seat that bounces back and forth when your baby moves her hands or feet. Comparing to swings or rockers that are powered by batteries or electricity, a baby bouncer is powered manually by your hand or your baby’s own movement.
How does a bouncer help relieve reflux?
The seats of most baby bouncers are upright or inclined. Therefore, it helps your baby sit in a upright position, which helps food to descend down your little one’s stomach and becomes less likely to come back up. Additionally, a bouncer rocks gently and naturally in a soothing motion, which can help expedite the digestion process. Another added bonus is that some bouncers come with toys and fun elements that can distract your child from being annoyed by reflux.
What are some precautions in using a bouncer?
Unlike swings or rockers, baby bouncers are more gentle and much safer. However, you still need to follow some safety tips:
- Place the baby bouncer on a stable and flat floor. Never place it on a table or platform.
- Make sure there is no sharp furniture or corners near the bouncer because the bouncer may hit them when it’s in motion.
- Always keep an eye on your baby while she plays in the bouncer.
- Place the baby bouncer in a safe place where siblings or other kids will not run into easily.
- When you push the baby bouncer to give it a nudge, push it slowly and gently.
What to Look for in the Best Bouncer for Reflux Babies
Reflux-friendly seat position. Look for a bouncer with an upright seat position. Ideally, it should come with adjustable positions, like BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft, so that you can change the angle of the seat.
Stability. Some bouncers have a rounded base while others have a triangle base frame. A good bouncer should stand steadily on both hardwood floors or carpets. On top of that, the frame should be strong enough to withstand vigorous rocking motions. Besides being safe, a stable bouncer provides a comfortable position for a baby to calm down from vomiting.
Safety Feature. The best bouncer for reflux babies should come with a safety harness, whether it’s three-point or five-point. Additionally, the headrest should have comfortable padding but not unnecessary decorations to cause suffocation. Another thing to keep in mind is that the base should have anti-slip rubbers to prevent slipping. You can see an example from Baby’s Bouncer by Fisher-Price shown below.
Fabric. A good baby bouncer should use organic breathable material that is comfortable and safe for infants. The fabric should also be removable for cleaning.
Fun Features. Does the bouncer come with toys, teethers, an activity center, or a sound machine? Without them, a bouncer becomes boring and your baby will cry to get out of it. Fun toys or sounds can keep your baby content in sitting upright, as well as help him shift his attention away from discomfort.
Portability. If you are planning to use the bouncer in different rooms, for travel, or bring to grandparents’ place at the weekend, look for one like Summer 2-in-1 that’s foldable and lightweight so you can easily fit it in your car.
Ease of Cleaning. If your little one has severe reflux, don’t be surprised if she spits up while playing in the bouncer. Therefore, look for one that has removable padding or fabric so that they are machine-washable.
Product Reviews
1. Best Portable Bouncer for Reflux Babies
BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft
Pros
Cons
Why You Should Buy It?
The BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft is the simplest bouncer that comes with a wide range of useful features. Rather than using a motor, it is powered by your little one’s arm waves and leg kicks. Besides being collapsible and lightweight (only 5 lbs), it can become a bouncing chair for your 2-year-old toddler.
How does It Help Reduce Baby’s Reflux?
This bouncer is perfect for infants with severe reflux because the natural movement is soothing and soft for a fuzzy or upset baby. Additionally, there are three adjustable positions so that you can sit your little one in the most upright position after feeding.
Who is it for?
It is for parents who have sufficient budget and those who like to travel with the bouncer. Additionally, it’s ideal for parents who prefer a manual bouncer over automatic devices such as a swing.
Product Specs:
- Age limit: 0 to 2 years
- Weight limit: 5 lbs to 28 lbs
- Dimensions: 31″ x 15.5″ x 22″
- Weight: 5lbs
- Power source: Baby powered
- Color options: 8 colors
2. Most Economical Bouncer for Reflux Babies
Baby’s Bouncer by Fisher-Price
Pros
Cons
Why You Should Buy It?
If you are looking for a budget bouncer with ample features for your reflux baby, Fisher-Price Baby’s Bouncer is a good option. For around $25, this bouncer comes with spinning toys, a removable hanging bar, and a vibration motor. This bouncer sports a three-point restraint and non-skid feet for tiled or hardwood floors.
How does It Help Relieve Baby’s Reflux?
If your little one gets annoyed by reflux a lot and becomes fuzzy easily, then we recommend this bouncer because it’s designed to keep babies happy. The spinners on the removable toy bar have vivid figures and colors to distract your baby from reflux pain. Additionally, the vibration motor sends calming movements to reduce the discomfort from spitting up.
Who is it for?
It is for parents with limited budgets and those who want to use the bouncer on tiled floors
Product Specs:
- Age limit: 0+ months
- Weight limit: 0 to 30 lbs
- Dimensions: 18.9″ x 24.02″ x 20.08″
- Weight: 4.84 lbs
- Power source: Baby-powered and battery-powered
- Color options: Green and pink
3. Best Longevity Bouncer for Reflux Babies and Toddlers
Infant-to-Toddler Rocker by Fisher-Price
Pros
Cons
Why You Should Buy It?
If you want to buy a bouncer and kid’s chair combo, then the Infant-to-Toddler Rocker will get the job done. Besides the hanging toys and a vibration motor, this bouncer can also transform into a chair for toddlers. All you need to do is to engage the kickstand to make the chair staionary. It’s a multi-functional baby bouncer for a reasonable price.
How does It Help Ease Baby’s Reflux?
Like Baby’s Bouncer by Fisher-Price, this 2-in-1 bouncer helps relieve the stress from reflux by providing interactive toys and calming vibration. If your little one has stomach pain or spitting up severely, you can make the bouncer stationary to give her time to recover from the stirring acid in the stomach.
Who is it for?
It is for parents who want to save money or space by getting a multi-functional bouncer
Product Specs:
- Age limit: 0+ months
- Weight limit: 0 to 40 lbs
- Dimensions: 6.25″ x 15.75″ x 25.63″
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Power source: Baby-powered and battery-powered
- Color options: Turquoise, pink, grey, blue
4. Best Bouncer & Rocker Combo for Reflux Babies
Summer 2-in-1 Bouncer & Rocker Duo
Pros
Cons
Why You Should Buy It?
Many parents contemplate if they should get a bouncer, a rocker, or both of them. Summer 2-in-1 saves you the trouble by providing both simultaneously. Once you fold up the stands on each wheel, your little one can use it as a bouncer and kick his legs to bounce up and down. What’s more, you can adjust the incline and rotate the feet outwards to find your baby’s favorite bouncing position.
How does It Help Ease Baby’s Reflux?
To help reduce reflux, you can set the bouncer in the most upright position to prevent your baby from puking. To make the bouncer move, your baby needs to stayactive by waving his arms and legs. This will boost her overall metabolism and help digest food more efficiently.
Who is it for?
It is for parents who look for a hybrid bouncer that is also portable and easy to store
Product Specs:
- Age limit: 0 to 6 months
- Weight limit: 5 to 20 lbs
- Dimensions: 30.71″ x 6.3″ x 16.73″
- Weight: 5 lbs
- Power source: Baby-powered and battery-powered
- Color options: one color – black and turquoise
5. Best Automatic Bouncer for Reflux Babies
Ingenuity SmartBounce Automatic Bouncer
Pros
Cons
Why You Should Buy It?
The best bouncers are powered by the baby’s own movements but this is not practical for some situations. If your infant is small or was born prematurely, she won’t have the strength to power the bouncer. Ingenuity SmartBounce Automatic Bouncer is the best automatic bouncer to save you the hassle from pushing the bouncer constantly. It features two speed-options and a built-in sound machine.
How does It Help Reduce Discomfort from Reflux?
One disadvantage is that this bouncer’s seat is not upright, that’s why we don’t recommend it for infants with severe GERD symptoms. However, if your little one is fuzzy and colicy from mild vomiting or reflux, this bouncer provides soothing motion and lulling sounds to quiet her down.
Who is it for?
It is for preemies or small babies who can’t power the bouncer by themselves, as well as parents who want hands-free solutions.
Product Specs:
- Age limit: 0 to 6 months
- Weight limit: 0 to 19.84 lbs
- Dimensions: 23″ x 19″ x 23″
- Weight: 3.99 lbs
- Power source: Baby-powered
- Color options: 7 colors
FAQs About Using Baby Bouncers to Reduce Reflux
At what age can my baby start using a bouncer?
Most bouncers are designed for newborns and infants. Therefore, you can start using a baby bouncer for a newborn as long as she is healthy and was not born prematurely.
When should my baby stop using a bouncer?
Many bouncers are meant for infants under 6 months or less than 30 pounds. Usually, a baby will outgrow a bouncer once she knows how to crawl. Therefore, you are most likely to stop using a bouncer at approximately six months. Besides, crawling and sitting up are better ways for older babies to reduce reflux. By then, you can get your little one a baby walker.
How long can my baby stay in a bouncer?
The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t have a guideline on how long your baby should be in a bouncer. However, most pediatricians recommend that you limit the time to 20 to 30 minutes. If your little one doesn’t want to stay in the bouncer for too long, you can hold her upright in your arm to prevent reflux.
Will a bouncer stop baby’s reflux?
A bouncer will help reduce the occurrence of reflux but can not completely cure it. Your baby will eventually stop spitting up, most likely between 12 and 14 months.
How do I safely use a bouncer to ease reflux in my baby?
Whenever you let your infant use a bouncer, follow the safety guidelines below:
1. Do not start bouncing your baby right after feeding. Instead, wait for 5 to 10 minutes before you place your baby in a bouncer
2. Keep your baby upright can help with reflux but make sure she has enough head support. A padded pillow can help keep her head in place
3. Avoid strong vibration if your infant just vomited because it may further upset her stomach
4. Never feed your baby in a bouncer especially when it’s in motion. Because it will increase the chance of swallowing air and make acid reflux worse.
Conclusion
It’s painful for parents to see their sweet babies suffer from stomach acid reflux. Even though a bouncer is not the ultimate treatment, it provides some level of comfort to ease and reduce the irritation. Our analysis shows that BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft is the best one for your reflux baby if your budget allows. Otherwise, Baby’s Bouncer by Fisher-Price is a great budget choice.
Cecilia Yeung is a successful entrepreneur and product researcher. She has a background in psychology and children’s education. As a working mother of two, she loves to write about children’s education and development.
