This lightweight, portable rocker comes in a host of stylish colour combinations and can be set to vibrate mode (useful when your baby needs a distraction). It has an adjustable seat recline and also converts into a stationary chair.
The Maclaren Baby Rocker comes with a detachable canopy and toy bar and co-ordinates with the Techno XLR buggies and baby carriers and the Recaro car seat. It's suitable for babies up to 9kg (19.8lbs).
What we love
As usual, mum was right. At 5 months and a hefty 7kg, Eve looked very comfortable in the Maclaren Baby Rocker and the safety harness straps gave her plenty of entertainment even before we attached the removable canopy and toy bar. I actually found this to be a great distraction device when it was just lying on the floor beside her!
The rocker has fantastic carry straps and is so lightweight that it was easy to take her around the house or outside so she could watch me hang out the washing or do the dishes.
When we started feeding Eve solids I flipped out the rails on the rocker's undercarriage and turned it into a stationary chair - making it a brilliant alternative to a highchair.
At the end of the day when Eve was safely in bed we just folded it up and stuck it in a hall cupboard. It would easily fit in a car boot for those afternoon visits to Grandma.
What to watch out for
The Maclaren Baby Rocker and the removable head hugger are covered in faux suede, which looks and feels lovely but isn't the most child-friendly of fabrics. It didn't take much pureed banana or enthusiastic dribble to leave our pink/chocolate coloured one looking rather grubby, despite my best efforts with a damp cloth.
At the risk of sounding completely hopeless, we never tried the vibrate mode because we couldn't figure out how to insert the 1C battery needed! Are we the only parents in Britain without a tool kit within arms' reach?
Who is the Maclaren Baby Rocker best for?
Parents of fractious babies (yep, all of us!) who need a safe place for their little one to sit and be soothed.
The Maclaren Baby Rocker is one of those rare pieces of baby kit that looks good and performs well. It won't look pristine forever, but then, few pieces of baby furniture do. It’s easy to fold away or cart round to Grandma’s house, and being able to use it as chair for weaning your baby add to its value.
