The 10 Best Exersaucers
Editor's Notes
January 24, 2020:
There are a lot of little things to take into account when evaluating these bouncers, and it comes down more to a combination of factors than any one thing when deciding which should make the list or be removed from it. The Fisher-Price Colorful Carnival, for example, doesn't have one glaring flaw that doomed it, but a handful of smaller problems that caused us to remove it, including somewhat awkwardly placed toys that could be hard for some kids to reach, a non-spinning seat whose padding left a little to be desired from a safety perspective considering how deep it is, and a disappointing lack of bounce. Fisher-Price did redeem themselves with the Fisher-Price Woodland Friends SpaceSaver, however, which is the only new model added to this ranking.
Now, there are some models that remained on our list that suffer from similar problems as the Carnival, but not all of them, like the Skip Hop Explore, which also lacks bounce. This is a model, however, that offers a lot of added versatility down the line as it converts to a play area and eventually an activities table.
Why Buy An Exersaucer?
Some allow your baby to jump in place, so if you have a very active little one who hates to be stuck on the floor, it's probably a great option for you.
So, you have a baby! Congratulations! Now it's time to buy all those things that will help you keep your baby entertained and maintain your sanity.
An exersaucer is just that thing. It will keep your little one content and confined to one spot. Depending on the type that you buy, your baby might be able to spin around and view the entire room from a standing position. He will definitely have a lot of toys to keep him entertained.
Babies love being able to have full control, sit upright, and play. You're going to love the freedom and peace of mind you will get from knowing your baby is safely confined while you prepare a meal.
Most exersaucers are built for comfort. They come with plush, padded seats that will keep your baby comfortable and happy while supporting his weight and allowing him freedom of movement. Most of them grow with your baby. The heights can be adjusted, and the type of play can vary depending on your baby's stage of development.
Exersaucers are designed to aid with your baby's cognitive development and gross motor skills. Many play music and have detachable toys that can travel with your baby no matter where he goes. Many have versatile play tables that can be used whether or not your baby is sitting inside the exersaucer. Others even teach language skills in more than one language.
The exersaucer is presented as an alternative to the baby walker that many pediatricians have begun to recommend against. The exersaucer remains stationary and doesn't claim to aid with walking. Some allow your baby to jump in place, so if you have a very active little one who hates to be stuck on the floor, it's probably a great option for you.
Exersaucer Safety Tips
Once you choose your baby's exersaucer and are ready to use it, you will need to make sure you adhere to certain rules to make sure that your baby stays safe and reaches appropriate developmental milestones.
First, never leave your baby unsupervised. If you have to cook or shower while your baby plays, bring the exersaucer into the kitchen or bathroom with you so you can keep an eye on your little one while you take care of things.
You certainly don't want to plop a newborn down into it and expect him to hold his head up and spin around.
Second, make sure you limit the time your baby spends in the exersaucer. He shouldn't be hanging out in it all day long or for more than twenty or thirty minutes at a time. Restricted movement for long periods can hinder your baby's muscle and motor skill development. The exersaucer is a great tool for learning and stimulation, but it's best to take an everything in moderation approach.
Third, wait until your baby has full head and neck control before using the exersaucer. You certainly don't want to plop a newborn down into it and expect him to hold his head up and spin around. You can use daily tummy time to help improve your baby's head and neck strength. Once your little one can pull his head up and hold it up on his own, he's ready to play.
Fourth, check the height and weight recommendations for your particular exersaucer, and make sure that your baby doesn't exceed the limit. If your baby is too heavy or too tall, it will be an uncomfortable experience for him and might pose a safety risk.
Finally, stop using the exersaucer when your baby starts trying to climb out. There's no set age for when this happens. It depends on your child's individual development. But once your baby has had a enough of being confined and tries to escape, it becomes a safety hazard. That means it's time to find a new favorite toy.
A Brief History Of Exersaucers
Evenflo invented the exersaucer in the 1990s and offered it to parents as an alternative to the baby walker that was deemed a dangerous toy by many pediatricians. While baby walkers claim to help children learn to walk, they result in many babies being injured due to accidents. Babies at this age did not know to avoid stairs or hot stoves or sharp objects.
They were recommended for use beginning around four months when the baby gained full head and neck control and continued until the baby began walking.
Evenflo marketed the exersaucer as a safer toy that would aid baby's growth and development while keeping them stationary. They were recommended for use beginning around four months when the baby gained full head and neck control and continued until the baby began walking. They were fitted with engaging toys made with bright colors that sometimes emitted animal sounds or music.
These exersaucers were an addition to the line of products Evenflo already sold for mothers and children. The company has been in existence since 1920 beginning with baby feeding products. They have been creating innovative baby toys and safety products ever since.
While the exersaucer was originally trademarked by Evenflo, it is now used as a blanket term to refer to all similar types of activity centers developed and sold by other companies.