Bouncer or Play Mat—What’s Better for Baby’s Development?
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The mat is going to help baby develop head control and rolling over skills. Toys also help them track and grasp objects. The bouncer doesn’t do much in terms of developing skills. It does however provide a safe spot for baby to sit right out of the shower if need be. Or in the kitchen while you cook. If you can afford it I’d say get both.
I feel like you could do both as they both give different entertainment. My LB loves his bouncer in the day and he has a few hours (spread throughout the day) in his play mat.
I would definitely have both if you can. Play mat definitely for developmental reasons. Bouncer is great for when you need to eat or prepare food quickly or just set them down to have your hands free to do something! But they should ideally just be used for short periods of time and aren’t ever to be used for sleep 😊
Oohh. I think i may have to get this for baby #2. 😍
As nice and cozy as they look and make you wanna lay in them yourself, these are not recommend for newborns for safety reasons, just like safety requirements for a crib. My son loved his baby gym, but on a firmer surface.
My son HATED the bouncer for a long time, so we only got like 2 month use out of it before he was to big. The baby gym on the other hand we got a solid 5 months before he lost interest.
I'd get both but I'd reconsider your mat of choice. You want something firm for them to do tummy time on its not meant to just lie on their back like a mattress.
@Molly (She/her) can you suggest any brands for mats please?
@Nevine Which brand of gym mat would you recommend, or which brand did you purchase?
@Rae baby Einstein, skip hop, tiny love. All of them will work! You just don't want something super plush.
They’re both helpful for different reasons. You dont need a to buy a “playmat” though… you can easily just use a blanket or towel. Having something easily washable and a natural fiber is key. We laid a cotton quilt over our rug carpet when baby did tummy time. The item you listed looks like a synthetic material = microplastics
@Anne for tummy time sure, but a baby gym also helps them learn other skills like sitting, reaching, and playing without a parent having to hold a toy 6 inches above them, both until and for as long as, they are interested. My son started to understand he had control over his limbs because of his baby gym. He'd kick or hit toys and be surprised they moved. The more he did it the more he realized he could replicate it. My back would have been destroyed if I'd been holding toys in positions for him to do that all the time. Lol
Sorry! Pic above I mean