However, this also meant I could choose which toys to attach to the harness to keep my daughter Isabel entertained, such as buggy books or animals with Velcro fastenings, and I didn’t have to worry about batteries running out or electronic noises getting on my nerves.
What we love
The muted colours of cream with pastel spots are a great relief if you can’t face yet another lurid cartoon-patterned piece of baby equipment in your house.
The lack of frills left the Mothercare Spring bouncing cradle light enough for Isabel to be able to bounce herself, and it could very easily be moved from room to room. When disassembled, it’s so light and compact that we even slipped it in the bottom of our suitcase when we went on holiday.
The lack of nooks and crannies also make the Mothercare Spring bouncing cradle easier to clean if you use it to start weaning, when your child is too young to sit up unaided and therefore can’t use a highchair.
What to watch out for
The design may be simplicity itself, but the self-assembly is fiendish. It’s not so much that the process is complicated, more the strength and agility required to wrestle the legs into the footrest and backrest. I tended to whip out a J-cloth at regular intervals to clean it, rather face taking the whole cradle apart to wash the cover.
As the Mothercare Spring bouncing cradle doesn’t come with a toy bar, it might not keep your baby entertained for as long as an all-singing, all-dancing model.
Some mums have complained that the back of the cradle is so steep that it’s not good for a really young baby, and can even become unstable. I never had this problem with Isabel, but perhaps it might be more suitable for babies who are a few months old, rather than a few weeks.
Who is the Mothercare Spring bouncing cradle best for?
Parents on a budget who appreciate the simple, light design.
The Mothercare Spring bouncing cradle is a low-cost, basic but stylish cradle. Once you’ve completed the endurance test of putting it together, the simple cradle is light enough for you baby to bounce herself and to move about easily. Just attach you own books or toys to the harness to entertain your baby.
