11 Best Baby Lounger Pillows | Newborn to 12 Month Old Infants

Whether you're looking for a cozy waterproof lounge pillow for baby or the safest baby lounger to rest your newborn to give you a few moments to take a shower or eat, we've got you covered!

Below, discover the best portable baby loungers from organ to waterproof plus how to choose the best baby lounger for your needs and things to consider for a safety.

Best Overall + Safest Baby Lounger: Babymoov Lounger

One of the biggest concerns around loungers is that they can pose a suffocation or injury risk if your baby rolls or shifts into a dangerous position. The Babymoov Cosydream Original Newborn Lounger is designed with a removable insert that essentially prevents your baby from rolling and is one of the few loungers that’s recommended by physicians and it was designed by an osteopath.

Best of all, this pick is not only portable — which makes it travel-friendly — but it’s machine washable and weighs less than a pound.  

Best Baby Lounger Bassinet: Tadpoles Moses Basket

If you LOVE those cute Instagram photos of babies in moses baskets you'll love the Tadpoles Cable Knit Moses Basket which doubles as a baby lounger AND bassinet for the fourth trimester, or until your baby reaches 15 pounds or starts rolling.

The basket is made from hand-woven palm leaf and features handles on both sides. The full set comes with a padded bumper, foam pad, a removable cotton cover, and a coordinating blanket. It comes in a few different bedding shades too:

Due to the natural weaving, the bed pad measured a little longer for some reviewers. In that case either give it time for the basket to stretch (I'd recommend adding some books to the edges) or one reviewer just trimmed the pad down.

Parents can also appreciate that once baby outgrows the moses basket, it can be used for storage of things like bedding, toys, or books.

Best Portable Baby Lounger: hiccapop Daydreamer Inflatable Portable Baby Lounger

Parents that are always on the go will appreciate the Hiccapop Daydreamer Inflatable Portable Lounger. It’s designed to serve as a temporary spot to leave your tot when you need both hands, but can be deflated and rolled up into the included bag when it’s time to go. 

You’ll also like that it’s affordably priced, making it a great solution for a wider range of families. The Daydreamer comes with a CertiPUR foam pad and a 100% cotton cover for added comfort. The cover is machine washable as well. You’ll like that this portable lounger is rated for babies from newborns to nine months old and comes in two colors:

Parents can also breathe easy knowing this baby lounger is free from toxic chemicals like flame retardants, mercury, lead, and phthalates.

Best Organic Baby Lounger: Snuggle Me Organic Bare

If you've ever searched for nontoxic and organic baby products (or even just been on Instagram or Pinterest looking at new baby products!) you've definitely come across the aesthetically pleasing Snuggle Me Organic.

Along with being comforted, the patented design is intended to prevent your baby from rolling for added safety and keep them on their backs. And in many cases the Snuggle Me can prevent triggering the Moro (startle) reflex which can often cause babies to fuss.

While some families may want to stop using it once baby's legs hang over the edge (typically around 9 months) it can actually be used until baby's bottom reaches beyond the inner edge (typically once they are around 2 years old).

It comes in a ton of colors and even more cover options:

NOTE: The Snuggle Me Organic Bare is JUST the baby lounger without a cover. You have to purchase the cover separately if you want it. In my experience, that's not necessary as baby's can spit up a lot so it's just easier on the laundry load to toss a swaddle blanket over wherever they are lounging. As an added bonus, this brings the total price down quite a bit! However if you want the cover and travel bag included you'd want to get the regular Snuggle Me Organic.

Best Baby Lounger Bouncer: Baby Bjorn

The Baby Bjorn bouncer is our personal FAVORITE baby lounger! I did a full Baby Bjorn bouncer review here comparing it to the Maxi Cosi and other popular baby lounger bouncers.

It also folds flat, for easy portability (seriously we bring ours to the beach multiple times a week!). It comes in several machine washable styles:

Most Montessori Baby Lounger: Topponcino 

The Topponcino is a montessori at home must have baby lounger! Mama sleeps with it before baby arrives so it smells like her. It's just a flat oval shaped mat, that's firm but flexible.

Since mama uses it before baby arrives, and it can be used whether on the floor or when a new person, like a grandparent, is holding baby for the first time, it becomes baby's first environment outside the womb really. Making it a great tool for added security as baby orients to their new world!

Best Alternative To Boppy Baby Lounger: Leachco Podster

The Leacho Podster baby lounger is one of the better kept secret baby loungers!

It's affordable and offers a slight incline to help with reflux symptoms. It also features a hug like center with an adjustable strap at the base so as your baby grows you can adjust the “hug” like effect.

Parents RAVE about this bean bag style baby lounger! Boasting it as one of their #1 must have baby items and a much better alternative to the Boppy baby lounger!

Best Budget Friendly Baby Lounger: Boppy Nursing Pillow

The Boppy® Bare Naked Nursing Pillow is going to be one of the best budget friendly baby lounger options. Not only does it come in around $30, it doubles as a nursing pillow.

It's intended for use during the first year and should NEVER be used unattended or for sleep. Boppy has faced much scrutiny and even recalls due to infant injuries and deaths.

As far as a nursing pillow, it's just okay. It's not particularly supportive so you will not be able to go hands free. However it does create much less strain and a lot more support than holding baby with just your arms. It's really one of those “you get what you paid for” options – not the best, not the worst.

Best Baby Lounger for 12 Months And Beyond: Dock-A-Tot The Grand Dock

While most baby loungers are intended for the first 3 to 9 months of life, some kids absolutely LOVE them and the Dock-A-Tot Grand can be the exact upgrade your baby needs as they move into the toddler years. And in my experience, they can actually make the toddler years easier than a baby lounger in the early months!

While baby loungers do not follow the ABCs of safe sleep for babies, once your child is in that older toddler range you may be able to use the Dock-A-Tot Grand instead of a pack-n-play for sleep while traveling (way easier to travel with!).

Cross check with your pediatrician before doing so to get their thoughts for where your child is at specifically and stay tuned as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved a new federal rule for infant sleep products that will go into effect in 2022 with new regulatory standards.

It also comes in a slew of prints:

Best Waterproof Baby Lounger: Lulyboo  

Let's be real, baby's are messy. So whether you're looking for a waterproof baby lounger to protect from all the baby things, or plan to use it at the beach, pool, or around a toddler playing with water, the Lulyboo Indoor/Outdoor Cuddle & Play Lounge is a smart choice and it comes in two sizes.

The “play lounge” which will generally last until around 4 to 6 months and the “play lounge plus+” which will last until about 2 years old.

Both sizes come with a removable toy bar featuring two toy loops, however only the smaller size option comes with 2 plush toys. I like that the canopy is removable and that you even get extra pads. Best of all, this pick weighs less than four pounds. Depending on the size you're interested in, you can choose from up five colors too!

Best Baby Lounger All Around: Mamibaby Baby Lounger Nest

While I don't necessarily think the Mamibaby Baby Lounger Nest is the BEST baby lounger on the list, I do think it's the best all around solution for most families as it checks off a lot of boxes. It's portable, machine washable, reversible, and an affordable dupe for other name brands.

Parents will also like that this pick is OEKO-TEX certified. The breathable fill and cover ensure that your baby won’t get overheated either. Best of all, the base is thicker at 1.6 inches to provide proper spine protection. 

Best Baby Lounger For Tummy Time: Infantino Prop-A-Pillar Tummy Time & Seated Support

If your baby isn't a fan of tummy time on the floor, then the Infantino Prop-A-Pillar Tummy Time & Seated Support is the perfect tummy time baby lounger!

How it works: The center of is a C-shaped pillow with a little “mat.” From there, there are two attached pillows, the head, which can sit on top of the center C part of the pillow to create a mini-chair back, and the tail, which can curl in to create leg support when the chair is formed.

TIP: If baby is struggling with gas pain lay baby on their back and use one of the caterpillar ends under their legs to help!

Best Baby Lounger Chair: Fisher Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker Chair

The Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker chair is also known as the “poo poo chair” in our house as well as many friends homes. We've all marveled at the sorcery of this affordable baby rocker lounging chair and can't quite figure out how it has the same effect on all of our babies.

You can adjust the back to various heights and it comes with a safety harness to buckle baby in. There's also a detachable mini activity gym bar that has two hanging toys that babies love!

Depending on which style you get it'll either be animals or shapes, but they all feature a spinning ball with a mirror and a key ring of sorts.

We've used this with two kids now and it's a solid option for putting baby down!

How To Choose A Baby Lounger:

Just like with adults or older children, babies can be picky about where they hang around. There are a few factors you need to keep in mind as you shop for the right lounger for your tot. 

Style

Baby loungers come in a few styles.

There are a few baby lounger shapes:

• Basic lounge pillow for baby,
• A “nest” with edges that sort of hug around baby,
• Oval bassinet
• Lounger chair or bouncer chair

As far as choosing a shape, it generally comes down to whether or not baby is struggling with reflux symptoms, gas, or flathead. If baby is struggling with reflux symptoms, a lounger the provides a slight incline can help. If baby is struggling with gas, a little padding under the legs can help; but a rolled up hand towel can do the same thing. Lastly, if baby is struggle with flathead spots, a baby lounger with memory foam and countered padding can help.

Safety notes:

Beyond that, there's also incline and plushness to consider. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) currently states that sleep products with an incline greater than 10 degrees are not safe. What many parents forget to consider, is that incline includes the subtle sinking from overly plush surfaces. Which is why the current recommendation is only to put baby down on a firm surface.

The big think to look for is whether or not baby is in a chin-to-chest position which can restrict their ability to breathe. You also want to pay attention to baby's ability to roll and get trapped under a lounge pillow.

With that said, baby sleep products (which many people use baby loungers for) are not currently regulated. However the CPSC announced they will be releasing new federal safety standard for infant sleep products in mid-2022.

Length of use

Many baby loungers have a limited lifespan. Finding a baby lounger that lasts until 6 or 12 months can feel like a huge win!

Most are recommended until baby is around 3 months, or until they can roll independently due to safety concerns. So while a 6 or 12 month old may fit in the baby lounger, many recommend discontinuing use.

However, some baby loungers are large enough to last until 12 months. If your baby lounger has edging, it's generally considered ok if their legs are over the edge, you just don't want their butt to go over it, causing stress on the lower spine.

Maintenance

Ideally your baby lounger features a machine washable cover. Some baby loungers pillow insert are also machine washable, which can be a nice feature, but not necessary in my experience.

If the baby lounger you love doesn't have a machine washable cover, don't stress. In fact, opting for a baby lounger without a machine washable cover is a nice little hack to save money!

In my experience, it's easier to just place a swaddle blanket or towel over a baby lounger or infant seat and swap that out if baby makes a mess, then washing the cover every day.

So before you go out buying a bunch of baby lounger covers, which can get expensive, look around your house and put those swaddles and receiving blankets to good use!

Portability

As compared to other baby gear, loungers tend to be fairly portable. But it’s also possible to find models that can fold down to compact sizes, making them a truly travel-friendly solution. 

Waterproof

A waterproof baby lounger isn't a requirement for everyone, but can be a nice feature in some cases.

With that said, if you do not need your baby lounger to be resistant regularly, you can always get creative. I once saw a mom who didn't need a waterproof baby lounger all the time, but when she showered she liked to place her newborn on Snuggle Me Organic next to the shower. To prevent the organic pillow from getting wet, she actually just wrapped the pillow in a trash bag, then put the cover over it so there was no excess material.

Budget

Baby loungers or recliners can come in a range of price points. Determine your budget before you shop for this product, but rest assured that you can find great options at both the budget-conscious and luxury ranges. 

Safety

Currently no baby loungers are marked safe for sleeping. The CPSC will be releasing new standards in mid-2022 so keep your eyes peeled for more.

With that said, many families choose to use a baby lounger for safety despite the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) who notes that babies should only be put to bed in cribs or bassinets — spaces known for having firm sleeping surfaces.

Loungers can place your baby in awkward angles which can be especially dangerous for younger babies that haven’t mastered neck control. The concern is that your baby slips into a nose-to-chest position, thereby blocking their airway and increasing the risk of suffocation or SIDs. If you choose to do naps in a baby lounger, they should always be supervised and parents should look out for that position.

FAQS About Baby Loungers:

Do I need a baby lounger? 

Just like most other baby gear, you do not need a baby lounger. However they can make life MUCH easier!

Benefits + uses of baby loungers:

• Let's caregivers take a break! Holding a baby all day can put serious strain on your body after all!
• If mom sleeps with the baby lounger before baby arrives it can pick up her smell and become a safe/familiar environment for baby when put down; especially useful if traveling!
• Depending on the baby lounger it may help with flat head syndrome, reflux or gas symptoms
• Comfortable + convenient spot for changing diapers
• More comfortable tummy time
• Depending on the lounger, it can make a nice support for holding baby or breastfeeding too

How to use a baby lounger

While it may seem as simple as “put baby in lounger” you don't want to just leave them there unattended or all day.

Ideally, you place the baby lounger on the floor when in use. If you do use a baby lounger on an elevated surface, such as a bed or couch, you want to keep it away from the edge; especially as baby becomes more active and works on rolling over.

We recommend supervising baby at all times when using the baby lounger and always keeping an eye out for that nose-to-shoulder position which can block airways.

 Are baby loungers safe?

Generally baby loungers are considered safe for just that: lounging.

Baby loungers for sleeping are not recommended.

As long as you’re using the lounger as directed by the manufacturer, and aren’t leaving your child unattended for extended periods, yes loungers are generally considered safe.

Can babies sleep in baby lounger?

Strictly speaking, reputable scientific organizations like the AAP or the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) usually discourage parents from letting their babies snooze in loungers. But the truth is, many parents do it anyway.

With that in mind, know that safe sleeping in a lounger isn’t recommended, the big things to keep in mind:

Some loungers are angled. If baby slips into a chin-to-chest position, it can obstruct their airways and increase the risk of SIDS.

If using a nursing pillow or C shape, baby can slip down the incline and under the pillow – whether awake or asleep – which can increase the risk of suffocation.

Lay-flat loungers with a bumper edge may seem safer but in truth can still be risky. The bumper edge can become a suffocation risk if your baby’s face is pressed against it. This is especially true for babies that don’t know how to properly turn their heads or roll over. 

And then once your baby learns to roll over, there’s the concern that they can roll out of the lounger or into the edge and fall if you set the lounger on a bed. So, in short — no, don't let your baby sleep in a lounger. 

How long can you use newborn lounger?

This is going to depend on the type of lounger you select. As with other baby items, manufacturers will outline the maximum weight capacity or age range for a lounger. Some loungers like the Boppy Nursing Pillow are designed to grow with your baby and can be used as supportive seats once your child gains neck control. 

Conversely, other loungers are designed for just the newborn phase. As a general guide, you should always follow the recommended age and weight guidelines. 

When should we start tummy time?

You can start tummy time as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. However, the length of tummy time will change as your baby grows. Newborns are usually encouraged to only have a few minutes of tummy time per session, with multiple sessions per day. 

Specifically, the AAP recommends that newborn tummy time should last no more than three to five minutes, for a total of three sessions per day. And tummy time should always be supervised.

Speak with your pediatrician about using a baby lounger can make tummy time more comfortable. Generally the baby lounger will rest across baby's chest from armpit to armpit.

Is it safe to use a baby pillow for newborn? 

Using a pillow like you or I would, is not considered safe for newborns.

However using a lounge pillow for a newborn baby with supervision that supports baby's spine development and posture is generally considered safe.

The big think is to make sure that newborns aren't slumping into the pillow, which can cause airway obstructions and lead to suffocation. Similarly, your baby’s head can slump forward when they’re sleeping which can also increase the risk of an airway obstruction. 

Why can’t babies sleep in Boppy lounger or a DockATot type pillow?

If they haven’t mastered head turning or neck control, this can create a suffocation risk. For this reason, experts from the AAP to the NIH agree that cribs and bassinets that are free from obstructions with just a fitted sheet are the best place for your baby to snooze — even for naps. 

Boppy loungers and DockATots are popular with new parents, and they can be great places to leave your baby temporarily, but they’re no substitute for a crib or a bassinet. With both lounge pillows the concern is that your baby may have their face pressed against the plush bumper. 

How long can a baby stay in a lounger?

Loungers are intended to be used in short periods, rather than as an all-day solution for stowing your baby. 

The general rule of thumb is the more floor time the better. This encourages more freedom of movement and increases the odds that baby will reach their milestones on time, compared to babies always in “containers.”

Are infant loungers worth it?

For many parents, the answer is a resounding yes. A good lounger can give you a great temporary place to put your little one so you can take a break, stretch, or grab a snack.

While they’re not a substitute for a sleeping space, a good lounger can grow with your baby and can be an effective tool during that first year. 

Is the boppy pillow for newborns safe?

No, due to serious injury and death from some baby's sleeping in the Boppy lounger they recalled the Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers sold between January 2004 and September 2021 so we don’t recommend it at this time.

Final Thoughts:

While baby loungers for sleeping are not recommended at this time, they can be wildly beneficial for tummy time, comforting baby while giving caregivers a much needed rest, and helping with things like reflux, gas, or flat head syndrome.

For this reason our top pick is the Babymoov Lounger which was designed by an osteopath and recommended by pediatricians. It has a memory foam back to prevent flat head syndrome, an adjustable leg support roll which is SO helpful for colicky, refluxy, or gassy babies as it aids in digestion by relieving tension and improve breathing. Plus the fitted design it calms the moro reflex, without the need for swaddling.

For montessori at home families the Topponcino is the must have baby lounger developed by Dr. Montessori herself! Mama sleeps with it before baby arrives so it smells like her and provides an added sense of comfort once baby arrives. It's just a flat oval shaped mat, that's firm but flexible making it a safe sleep option. Think of it as a mix between a security blanket, baby lounger, and portable crib mattress.

Lastly, the Mamibaby Baby Lounger Nest is a great all around middle of the road option. It's OEKO-TEK certified, portable, machine washable, reversible, and an affordable dupe for other name brands. The biggest con to it, is that the bottom ties that create the “nest” fit around baby can wear out. If you're handing with a needle and thread, you can easily fix this if it becomes an issue.