Having a baby swing and a baby bouncer at home with a baby is a must! Our swing is ideal when trying to get something done and having a safe place to put baby down. A baby bouncer was used to move our baby around or to bring him near the kitchen when cooking dinner. Not only was our baby occupied, but we used it to rock them to sleep or to give us a breather. What about travel baby bouncers or baby swings – are they a must-have?
We probably wouldn’t call a travel baby swing or baby bouncer a must-have baby travel essential but if you have the space, they can be worth packing! It can be a downright lifesaver depending on where and how long you’ll be traveling for.
When it comes to items to help baby sleep on vacation, an easy-to-carry, foldable travel swing for baby easily takes the cake. Having one can free up your hands and even some of your time during the most hectic of family vacations.
However, it should also be noted that just any old travel baby swing or bouncer will not cut it. Between portability, comfort and usefulness, there’s a long list of things to keep an eye out for when making your purchase.
Here’s a quick guide on what to look for in a baby travel swing and a baby bouncer, along with a specially curated list of some of the best options to make buying one as easy as possible!
Before buying a travel baby swing or portable bouncer, make sure it’s something you’ll actually use. We recommend it for trips when you’ll be visiting family and mostly staying put for a majority of the day. If you are on a sightseeing trip abroad, in our experience, it’s unlikely you’ll be spending enough time in your hotel room to make it worth traveling with.
If you are doing long-term travel, then you may also want to consider one since you’ll likely be moving at a slower pace and staying in apartments instead of hotels.
Best Travel Baby Swings & Bouncers – Table of Contents
This post contains compensated links.
Best Travel Baby Bouncers and Travel Baby Swings
Looking online will show you that there are a plethora of choices out there; from the classy ones, the simple ones, the extravagant techy swings, and more, the choices are endless. The factors determining the kind of baby bouncer or baby swing travel accessory you select will depend on your budget, taste, and needs.
Here’s a list of some of the best travel baby bouncers and baby swings to help get you started!
1. KidCoBouncePod Travel Bouncer
KidCo brings us its very own travel bouncer, the BouncePod, and it certainly takes the cake for being one of the most affordable options for what it provides.
With a super lightweight structure and washable seat fabric, the headrest on the bouncer is in itself adjustable, aside from the different height levels for the bouncer.
The base of the travel baby bouncer is non-skid, and the safety locks ensure that the bouncer is rigid once it is set up. With comfy polyester and cushioned padding, this is definitely one of the best choices you could go for!
2. Baby Delight Alpine Deluxe Portable Bouncer
Baby Delight’s deluxe portable bouncer, Alpine, comes in four amazing shades and is designed to fit right into the ambiance of your rooms. It even comes with a removable toy bar and folds down flat.
What’s more? The inset of the travel baby bouncer is an airy mesh, providing adequate airflow for a comfy baby. Plus, the entire cover is removable and machine-washable!
With a cute moon and star dangling above their eyes, babies are kept safe and secure by the help of a 3-point harness strapping them in place. When not in use or during travel, simply slide it flat into the carry bag that comes with it and you’re good to go!
3. BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss
Another travel bouncer by BabyBjorn, the Bouncer Bliss is quite similar to the Bouncer Balance in many ways, including the choice it offers parents between its many color and fabric options.
Build your baby's fabric seat with cotton, a variation of quilted cotton, soft 3D Jersey, or airy mesh; whatever suits your baby's comfort and your aesthetic!
Aside from that, the Bouncer Bliss has all the features of a classic bouncer, including 4 adjustable inclinations and an easy-to-pack-up structure that allows you to take it around literally anywhere you like.
4. Summer 2-in-1 Bouncer & Rocker Duo
The Bouncer & Rocker Duo by Summer Infant comes in a cool grey shade and a bold teal one too! This one will give your little one the fun of a bouncer and a rocker, should they get bored of either. Just fold the stabilizing feet in or out and you can change what it does in no more than a few seconds.
Apart from the mild vibrations when its time to catch some z's, the harness and straps also provide the safety needed for kicking about without round-the-clock supervision!
5. Dream on Me Rock with me 2-in-1 Rocker
This intuitive baby bouncer by Dream on Me is more of a rocker than a bouncer. Weighing just a little over 5 pounds, this rocker reclines completely flat, making it very handy for storage and portability.
It also has a hanging toy bar with two cute plush toys to keep your tots entertained.
The rocker engages with your baby with a gentle vibration and inbuilt music that is perfect for babies that require a little stimulation to rest.
With a harness and a safety lock that stops it from rocking, you can rest assured your baby is in safe and comforting hands when using this minimal, yet classic rocker seat.
6. Maxi-Cosi Kori 2-in-1 Rocker
The Kori 2-in-1 Rocker by Maxi-Cosi is designed to work both as a normal bouncer as well as an ordinary, rigid, stationary chair. This way, you don’t have to put your baby in a separate booster seat for when you want to feed them.
The insides of the bouncer are made with utmost care to give your baby the most comfort and you can adjust this simple bouncer’s height with just one hand, even when you're occupied with something else!
7. BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft
The travel baby bouncer by Babybjorn is another classic bouncer that does its job without too many fancy features. It comes in 7 different colors, all of which are easy on the eyes and not too flashy.
As with most other basic bouncers, this one helps get your baby to sleep when on vacation or at home by letting them rock themselves to sleep with their own motions. The bouncer also doubles as a chair for children up to 2 years!
With a structure that is easily foldable and a really soft seating fabric, the only downside that we can see to this awesome product is likely its price point, especially when comparing it to its counterparts.
8. Ergonomic Baby Bouncer Seat
Want to switch out your modern contraption for a classic baby bouncer? Try out this comfy and safe baby bouncer by ComfyBumpy. Designed by a brand run by parents who strive to simplify parenting, this baby bouncer isn’t powered by batteries or plugs but by your own baby’s kicks!
The seating area of the bouncer is made of soft polyester mesh and is machine-washable too. With essential back and head support to encourage your baby’s motor skills, this classic travel baby bouncer is also easy to pack up and carry around, checking all the right boxes.
9. Chicco E-Motion Auto-Glider & Bouncer
Meet the travel baby bouncer that does more than just bounce! This electronic travel baby bouncer by Chicco works like a normal baby bouncer but also sways from side to side as well!
Just strap your baby in and let the bouncer mimic a mother’s swaying, uninterrupted for 10 minutes. After that, motion sensors on the swing will automatically pick up your baby’s movements and begin gliding again!
The best part is that the bouncer folds down completely flat, perfect for sliding under a bed. Can’t find a power supply? This amazing piece of baby gear also runs on batteries.
10. KidCo SwingPod
If your baby needs that swinging motion to sleep but traveling with a swing is out of the question, the KidCo SwingPod is worth considering. The KidCo SwingPod brings back the comfort of a classic swing with a twist. The SwingPod is essentially a swaddle swing blanket that allows you to strap them in and swing them back and forth using your arm.
Aside from being a good arm workout and allowing you to manually adjust the swing speed according to your baby's cues, this swing ensures your baby feels safe and comforted in your presence.
While some parents do complain about the swing straps being a little rough on the palms, the inside of the blanket is soft cotton, making it comfortable for your little one to doze off in.
11. Ity by Ingenuity Swingity Swing
This is another affordable swing by Ingenuity with comfortable, removable headrests; two toys for the swing; and an adjustable harness to keep your baby strapped in place.
While this one does not have inbuilt music or an adjustable timer, the swing has six different speeds to alternate between depending on what your baby is in the mood for.
Parents report being highly satisfied with how compact it is to handle when not in use, as well as how easy it is to set up, pack up, and carry around.
12. Ingenuity Boutique Collection Deluxe 5-Speed Portable Baby Swing
This travel baby swing by Ingenuity is the perfect choice if you’re looking for cozy comfort. The seats come with plush fabric and the entire swing weighs in at only a little more than 6 pounds, making it light and easy to carry around.
The highlight, of course, is that the swing is electronic and has five swing speeds with an adjustable timer, along with melodies and nature sounds to help ease your baby. The portable baby swing automatically shuts off after 90 minutes, making having to remember to turn it off a thing of the past. Just leave it on and have a little snooze yourself!
This isn't something we'd expect you to travel internationally with, but packing it in the car for a trip to grandma's house might be worth the effort.
What to Look for in a Baby Travel Swing
Safety, comfort and space for the baby are probably every parent’s first and foremost concern. But what about when your baby isn’t using it? Portability and ease in setting it up and taking it down are just as important, especially if you’re on the move quite often.
How Portable Is It?
Baby travel swings usually come with a metal frame, off of which, the swing is suspended. While these are usually collapsible, you will want to make sure that yours gets as compact as you need it to be. The portable baby swing must fit in the trunk of your car and come with a handle or sling to carry it along with the rest of your luggage during your road trips.
How Easy Is It To Pack Down?
The idea is to have a hassle-free baby travel accessory for your trips, which means that the portable swing and its frame need to both be easily collapsible. Too many knobs and keys to tighten it can be time-consuming, so make sure you choose one that takes minimal effort and time to set up and pack away.
How Easy Is It To Move Around?
Most travel baby swings are lightweight and easy to move. Choose one that folds down easily, without any protruding bars or handles that are inconvenient when carried around. Check for sharp edges or tips that might pose a risk to the baby, you, or even the swing itself.
Where Will It Be Used?
Ideally, you want to make sure that your baby travel swing can be used anywhere and everywhere that has enough space to accommodate it. To ensure this, look for rubber padding at the bottom of the swing for added grip or extendable stabilizer feet that can hold your swing in place.
Safety Features
Although the safest place for a baby is in their mother’s arms, most travel baby swings come with a lot of safety measures too! You will also want to choose a baby travel swing that comes with a padded carrier and a comfy harness to keep your baby secure and in place. Soft fabrics, plush cushions, and headrests are all a bonus!
What to Look for in a Baby Travel Bouncer
Where travel swings for baby can look elaborate and wide, the baby bouncer travel accessory gives your baby just as much joy by bouncing them up and down instead of swinging them from side to side! Aside from the quality of the materials that make up the bassinet and the durability of the elastic materials, there are a couple of other things you need to check for before choosing a baby travel bouncer.
Packs Flat
Easy storage makes a baby travel bouncer easy to handle, so make sure you choose one that packs up flat. Whether it be in the back of your car or under the bed in your hotel room, a flattened travel bouncer should allow you to shove it into or under just about anything without occupying too much space.
And when you need it, simply take it out, straighten it out and you’re good to go!
Easy to Clean
Between spilled baby food and spit-ups, cleaning up gooey messes is inevitable, so make sure you get a bouncer that cleans easy.
Many travel bouncers are made of high-quality materials, some even machine-washable to save you the effort of having to painstakingly scrub off dirt. Others even have seating pads that are removable, making them even easier to handle and clean up.
Portability
Make sure your baby bouncers are lightweight and easy to carry around. A flattened-out travel baby bouncer should be easy to pack into a car and shouldn’t weigh too much.
Choose one where the frame is durable and light and the cushioned fabric isn’t too dense, making it all the more convenient for when you need to carry it.
Ease of Setting It up and Taking It Down
Most modern travel baby bouncers can be easily set up by straightening the seat pad to click it into position. Take it back down by releasing the clip and the seat pad will fold right back down.
Consider baby bouncers that do not have too many hinges and folds to worry about and choose one that works smoothly with minimal effort.
How Much Will You Use It?
Depending on how much you intend to use your travel baby bouncer, you can choose a more sophisticated one or one that has more features. For tech-savvy parents, there are travel baby jumpers that run electronically for as long as you set a timer (more on this below!). But for those who suspect they might not use it as often, a normal, classic bouncer might be more than enough for your needs.
Safety Measures
Always ensure that the material used for the seating and the padding is soft and baby-proof. Seating that provides sturdy support for the baby’s back and neck a must.
Seating pads need to be tight enough to hold the baby in place and most baby bouncers come with adjustable heights allowing you to set it at a safe inclination. Also, remember to check that the frame and seating pads are not wobbly, but firm and safe even when the baby is placed in it.
Other Baby Travel Gear
Pin It For Later!
This post was written & edited by:
Celine is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's been helping new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.