The 5 Best Baby Rockers

Despite the fact that your baby is the single most beautiful, adorable, sweetest, most delightful little being you've ever known...sometimes, you just need to put them down and take a minute to yourself. For parents of new little ones, you know: there are times when they just won't let you. The person who invented the baby rocker was most certainly a parent who needed to get something done but had a fussy baby who was preventing that from happening. The right baby rocker, and your little one can go from inconsolable to ridiculously happy in one second flat. We don't know if it's the bouncing motion, the eye-catching toys, or the comfort of kicking and rocking themselves to happiness, but babies absolutely love baby rockers. And because our little ones love them, we love them too. If you're not sold yet, you will be: these 5 baby rockers are the best baby rockers to keep your little one entertained and occupied. You'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Fisher-Price Circus Celebration Rocker

Bright and Bouncy

This sweet little baby rocker is bright and colorful and comfy. Your little one will love bouncy time in this seat.

Best Overall

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If you’re looking for a basic baby rocker that includes toys, a bright and colorful design to catch their eye, and a soothing seat, this is it. With a fold-out kickstand and a 3-point restraint, you’ll be happy with the safety of this baby rocker as well.

With a toy bar (easily removable) that holds dangling toys, your baby can work on hand-and-eye development and coordination while keeping themselves happily entertained. Not only is the seat deep and cozy, it vibrates. This vibration helps to soothe the youngest of babies, a super helpful bonus to parents who need a free hand but might have a fussy new little one. An added feature to this baby rocker is that it’ll fit an infant as a stationary seat, but grows with Baby up to 40 pound toddlerhood as a toddler rocker.

Pros:

Two ultra-bright and fun colors and designs to choose from.
Seat pad is removable for easy cleaning–just toss it in the wash.
Musical butterfly toy attachment.

Cons:

Maximum weight recommendation is 40 pounds.

BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance

Simple, Ergonomic Design

Worth the investment for a simple rocker, this baby rocker has a smart, ergonomic design that keeps Baby (and you!) happy.

Runner-Up

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While this incredibly simple design might seem like a silly investment to make in a straightforward baby rocker, the ingenuity is actually in its simplicity. Undoubtedly, the most important feature of this baby rocker is its ergonomic design. The fitted fabric seat molds itself to your baby’s body, which helps to not only evenly distribute the weight, but also fully supports Baby’s head, back, and neck. This design is particularly important for the newest little loves, who absolutely need that kind of support. However, as Baby grows, they’ll still find delight in sitting in this seat. With no batteries, this rocker moves by the power of their little (or big!) kicks and movements. This helps to develop balance and motor skills, making this not only a safe baby rocker but also a developmentally appropriate one, too.

We also love that this baby rocker can transform into a comfy toddler chair. It’s important for our little ones to have a quiet, safe resting spot where they can entertain themselves. The fact that this chair provides that from the start makes us appreciate its simplicity and functionality.

Pros:

Can be used from newborn to 2 years.
Adjustable to multiple positions–highest play position to lower rest position.
Simple design helps to aid in development of Baby’s imagination and motor skills.

Cons:

If you’re looking for a baby rocker that has toys, music, and automatic rocking built-in, this is definitely not it. The simple design is part of the appeal, however.

4moms MamaRoo Baby Swing

Rockin' and Rollin'

With all the bells and whistles, this high-tech swing has everything (and more) than you could ever imagine possible in a baby rocker.

Best for Newborns

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With 5 built in motions and speeds, each unique, this baby rocker and swing goes above and beyond just a simple rocker. Not only that, but it is Bluetooth enabled, allowing you to control motion and sound (helpful if your baby has fallen asleep in the swing, and you don’t want to walk near them and risk waking). And while there is MP3 plug-in capabilities, there are 4 built-in, soothing sounds.

For further soothing of fussy little ones, this baby rocker bounces up and down, as well as sways side-to-side–perfectly mimicking our own movements. The seat reclines fully for napping little ones, or sits up for when they’re wide awake and curiously looking about.

Pros:

Excellent for newborns and infants.
Multiple toy attachments to hold Baby’s attention.
Toys help to develop fine motor skills.

Cons:

Only recommended for birth until 25 pounds (or when Baby can sit up unassisted, whichever is first).

Graco DuetSoothe Baby Swing and Rocker

Grow With Baby

For a versatile baby rocker and swing that grows with your little one, this baby rocker is a must.

Most Versatile

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We love that this baby rocker is actually a 2-for-1 product: a rocker, yes, but it also becomes a removable infant swing seat. This makes it possible to move your baby around the house or yard with you, without disturbing your little one. Additional features we love: 2-speed vibration, 10 melodies, and 5 nature sounds keep Baby completely amused and relaxed. What’s more, there are 6 swing speeds, insuring that you’ll find one to sooth or relax an extra fussy little one.

Pros:

5-point harness for safety and peace of mind.
3 soft hanging toys.
Multiple swinging directions.

Cons:

The swing is a bit bulky, weighing in at 21 pounds.

Fisher-Price On-The-Go Baby Dome

On The Go

Headed on a trip, but still want to bring along a place for Baby to safely play? We're loving this travel-friendly baby dome.

Best for Travel

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Although this baby dome doesn’t have a rocking feature, it acts in similar ways. And we love it regardless of a rocking feature or not, because it’s highly portable. The play space acts as both a resting spot, as well as an active space for developing fine motor skills and hand-and-eye coordination. The attached, full-coverage canopy is moveable, and protects from both bugs as well as harsh sunshine.

This baby dome is a fantastic place for safe tummy time in the outdoors, can be used as a safe spot in a pet zone, and keeps Baby happy in airports, campgrounds, in-laws, and wherever else you find that your baby needs their own spot to chill out and nestle down.

Pros:

Develops sensory skills, fine motor skills, and hand-and-eye coordination.
Cozy space for extra security in the outdoors or when traveling.
Easy clean up: the sleep pad is wipeable, and the sheet is machine-washable.

Cons:

Only for use with immobile infants. Once they begin moving about, this play space is no longer appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are baby rockers safe?

Provided that you follow all of the necessary safety precautions as are provided with your baby rocker, yes, baby rockers are indeed completely safe. While little ones can and will fall asleep with the relaxing motion of a baby rocker, the safest place for Baby to sleep is still the firm and open mattress of their crib. Because of this, it’s important to monitor your baby while they are in their rocker. If they become sleepy and begin to still, moving them to their crib to sleep is still the safest place for them.

What are the recommended ages for using a baby rocker?

Baby rockers can be used with newborns all the way up to toddlerhood. However, each baby rocker will have their own specific guidelines to follow for both age, development, and weight. Some are meant solely for immobile babies, while others grow with your little one well into toddlerhood.