The Summer Carter's Love Bug Cuddle Me Musical Bouncer is a bouncer chair that at first glance offers so much – music, vibration mode to soothe your baby, nature sounds and womb sounds. It also has a toy bar with detachable toys. I was very excited to be able to test it with my newborn Ted, 4 weeks. As Ted’s not keen on being anywhere other than with me I was convinced the bouncer would deliver some vital hands-free time. However, this wasn’t the case.
What we love
To be honest, there’s not a lot. At a push, I'd say it's good that the covers are removable for washing – a very practical feature. Also, the Summer Carter's Love Bug Cuddle Me Musical Bouncer folds flat for travel.
The toys are nice and bright, but are wasted on a newborn. An older baby would appreciate these more. And they are removable so you would be able to hang different toys to offer your baby variety.
Finally, the material the bouncer is made of is nice and soft and therefore would be nice on a baby's skin.
What to watch out for
My husband was in charge of assembling the Summer Carter's Love Bug Cuddle Me Musical Bouncer and he said it was tricky and fiddly. It took him at least 30 minutes (and he’s competent at these things normally).
The bouncer comes with a head support for a newborn but I couldn’t get Ted comfy. He remained slumped with his head at a funny angle and didn’t settle at all. I think the bouncer would be better with an older baby who has more neck strength.
I was bemused by the various noises the bouncer had to offer. The womb sound in particular reminded me more of a ticking bomb, when I expected more of a rushing white-noise sound. The music and womb noises were so quiet they were barely audible and I could discern little difference between the three volume settings.
The vibration mode was also a disappointment. It was so gentle that it was virtually impossible to tell if it was working.
The toy bar looks far too much like a carrying handle and I had to leap across the kitchen numerous times to stop my toddler, in-laws and friends trying to pick Ted up in the bouncer this way. The toy bar is not designed for this and is therefore very flimsy – a recipe for disaster!
The styling of this bouncer is nauseatingly pink. To be sure this just wasn’t because I’m a mum to boys, I tested it on my friend who has two girls – she also disliked the design. However, my mother-in-law disagreed and thought that for a baby girl it was suitable. At the end of the day, this comes down to personal taste, but there is an alternative – the Elephant Medley Cuddle Me Musical Bouncer. This comes in brown and blue, and is far more muted in design.
It's also not that cheap and because it’s so round in shape it takes up loads of room.
Who is the Summer Carter's Love Bug Cuddle Me Musical Bouncer best for?
Pink-loving mums of girls who want some hands-free time.
An expensive bouncer chair that’s definitely not unisex, the Summer Carter's Love Bug Cuddle Me Musical Bouncer is more suited to a baby aged 3-6 months who would enjoy playing with the toys, but on whom the sounds and vibration would probably be wasted. Just make sure any visitors know that toy bar isn’t a handle.
