The Best Baby Pillow/Lounger

Parents can’t hold their infants all day long or they’d never get anything done around the house. Baby pillows and loungers are the perfect solution to this dilemma, as they are designed to cuddle your baby while you attend to your chores. As you browse different pillow and lounger models, you’ll want to look for the following traits:

Choose a pillow made from organic cotton. Not only is this material hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive skin, but it’s also eco-friendly and free from any dyes or bleach. Of course, cotton is also known for being soft and breathable.

Consider the material used to make the lounger’s filling. The DockATot All in One Baby Lounger has a filling with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It’s fabrics also resist heat retention, which means your baby will remain cool and comfortable throughout his or her time in the pillow.

Feel the baby lounger and make sure it’s light in weight. Ideally, you want it to be three pounds or less so that it can easily be moved from one room to another while you clean. It’s also helpful if the unit has a set of handles, like the Boppy Original Newborn Lounger, Elephant Love Gray, as this makes transport a breeze.

Review how the lounger is able to cradle your newborn. Does it have a center depression that is surrounded by cushioned sides that act as a nest, or does it have a center sling, like the Snuggle Me Organic Sensory Lounger for Baby, which draws close to your baby when you set him or her in the lounger? The important thing is that your baby feels safe and secure while relaxing in the pillow.

Check to make sure the model you’re interested in is able to meet any specific needs your baby might have. Some loungers come at a slight incline to help with acid reflux, while others are designed for healthy back posture. You’ll even find models made to help prevent flat head syndrome.

Opt for a baby lounger that is versatile and able to grow with your child. There are pillows that can be used for tummy time, as well as diaper changes. Some also have buckles or buttons by the feet that can be opened as your baby grows.

Lastly, review the baby lounger’s available colors and patterns. You may find one that matches the theme in your baby’s nursery. You may also opt for a pillow that comes in the shape of a cute animal. The JOHN N TREE Organic Baby Protective Pillow, for example, comes in elephant, lamb, monkey, puppy and bunny shapes.

• Look for any extra awards, like the Mom’s Choice Award, or special certifications, such as the International Certification Control Union and the National Organic Standards Board. You may also find the company offers a customer satisfaction guarantee. These are all just further indications that the baby pillow is quality made and that the company stands behind its products.
• Review the baby lounger’s care instruction label before attempting to clean it. You’ll find some loungers are easy to spot clean, while others require a full wash. You may be able to remove a cover and simply wash that, or you may need to toss the entire pillow into the washing machine. Some companies recommend placing the pillow in a laundry bag first, while others require you to wash the pillow as-is using the washing machine’s gentle cycle. When it comes to drying the lounger, the instructions may list the ability to use the dryer on low heat or they may suggest avoiding the heat from the dryer and allowing the pillow to air dry naturally.
• When using a baby lounger, it is important that you always supervise your baby.
• Always place your baby on his or her back during nap and sleep times, as this is the recommended position for reducing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). You’ll also want to reserve sleep times for a crib that meets the standards set by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Never use a traditional pillow with a baby under the age of 18 months. This poses a risk of suffocation.
• You’ll find one of the main differences in baby pillow prices is the ability of the pillow to grow with your baby. The Boppy Original Newborn Lounger, Elephant Love Gray and the JOHN N TREE Organic Baby Protective Pillow are on the lower end of the pricing scale, as they cater to newborns and infants of up to three months only. The Snuggle Me Organic Sensory Lounger for Baby and the DockATot All in One Baby Lounger command a higher price because they can be used from infancy all the way to nine months of age.