Baby Loungers 101: A Buying Guide for Parents
Important Safety Note: Baby loungers are only safe for waking, supervised play. Never use them for unsupervised sleep or naps—always follow CPSC & American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on safe sleep best practices.
When babies are first home from the hospital, soft, cozy baby loungers can be a great spot to let little ones rest on their own. Baby loungers are portable, contoured pillows designed to safely accommodate your infant for lounging. If you want a comfy spot to lay your baby while you do the dishes or watch TV, a baby lounger may be for you.
Baby loungers are a newer product on the newborn baby market. Unlike strollers or car seats, which regularly get updated and reimagined but have been around for decades, baby loungers have really only been around for a little more than a decade at this point. There are several great baby loungers on the market right now, and they vary widely in price. If you’re on the fence and not sure which baby lounger to select (if any), read on to learn about the pros and cons of baby loungers.
Baby Loungers: Pros
- Baby loungers are soft, cushiony spots for your baby to rest.
- Lightweight and portable, baby loungers are easy to move around the house or even take with you on the go. They make great spaces for baby to rest while you do chores.
- Available in different sizes, prints and styles, baby loungers are fairly customizable so they match your nursery décor or suit your taste. Many baby loungers also come with covers that can be purchased separately if you don’t like the pattern or color of your particular pillow
- Easy to clean, most baby loungers are machine washable. Some of the baby lounger inserts should not be tossed in the washing machine but the removable cover can be for easy cleaning
- Some baby loungers can also be used for tummy time and play time.
Baby Loungers: Cons
- Unlike cribs or strollers, baby loungers have a shorter lifespan. Some baby loungers are only meant to be used (as baby loungers) until your baby is about four months old. Others, like the Dockatot, are designed to be used until your baby is about eight months old
- Baby loungers can be pricey. If you purchase them brand new, they can cost you from $40 to $275.
- Loungers are not recommended for baby sleep.
Baby Loungers: Key Considerations
If you’re still not sure if a baby lounger is right for you, consider asking yourself these questions:
- Are you frequently visiting friends’ and relatives’ homes and struggling finding a place to lay your baby down to rest?
- Do you want to keep your baby close by when you do chores around the house but aren’t sure where to lay them?
If you answered yes to these questions, a baby lounger might be a great fit for you.
When to Safely Use a Baby Lounger for Your Little One
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For supervised awake time while you prepare food or work nearby
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On the floor only, never on elevated surfaces or anywhere the baby could fall
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Must always be within sight—do not use during naps or overnight
The Best Baby Loungers
If you’re having trouble narrowing down with baby lounger is right for you, take into account these popular brands that many parents swear by.
Snuggle Me Organic Infant Lounger
Use this larger pillow-like lounger for your baby up until they are around nine months and before they are crawling. The lounger is designed so your baby fits snugly inside the indent in the pillow. This lounger is a non-toxic baby product made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and OEKO-TEX certified. Launder the Snuggle Me by tossing it- insert and cover separated- in the washing machine. The Snuggle Me Organic will cost you around $100 if you purchase it new, but if you buy it preloved from Good Buy Gear, you can get it for as low as $63!
Shop the: Snuggle Me Organic Infant Lounger
Dockatot
The Dockatot is the most expensive baby lounger on this list, but it is arguably the most versatile. The Dockatot can be used as a baby lounger but also as a tummy time pillow for your little one. Purchase some of the optional accessories, such as the mobile arch, to enhance your baby’s Dockatot experience. It has a machine washable cover (the cover zips off easily) that you can change out to suit your taste. The bottom of the pillow also sticks together to form a cozy place for your newborn to lounge, and then you can pull the adjoining pillow pieces apart to make more room for your baby as they grow. Brand new, a Docktot will cost you between $175- $275. However, if you shopped preloved Dockatots on GoodBuy Gear, you can find a Dockatot for as low as $95.
Shop the: Dockatot
For more buying information, check out our buying guide comparing the DockATot and Snuggle Me Organic baby loungers.
If you’re not sure you’ll get as much use out of these products as you’d like to, definitely consider buying preloved. Baby loungers can be nice to have on hand when you need to put your newborn down, and, when you get one for a steal of a deal, you won’t feel guilty if it goes largely unused.
Baby Lounger: FAQ
Can babies sleep in loungers?
No. Infant loungers aren’t designed for sleep and may block airflow causing suffocation. If your baby falls asleep, move them immediately to a crib, bassinet or play yard.
Where should I use the lounger?
Place loungers only on firm floor surfaces. Never use on beds, couches, or elevated furniture.
New Safety Rules (Effective May 2025): Manufacturers must now meet Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirements for infant support cushions, including safety labeling and product registration. While these bring greater transparency, none change the rule: loungers remain unsuitable for sleep and should only be used during supervised awake time.
Please note, The Boppy Company issued a recall of the following loungers: Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers and Pottery Barn Kids BoppyNewborn Loungers
If you have purchased one of these loungers, it is important that you stop using them immediately. Learn more and request your refund here.
We are committed to providing you and your family with the best quality baby gear possible. We are immediately discontinuing any buying or selling services of these Boppy Lounger models and continue to closely monitor any new recalls through the CPSC.