Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer; Made A Big Splash with Baby - And Mommy Too!
Written: Feb 25 '04 (Updated Jan 11 '05)
Product Rating:
Pros: Soothes fussy babies; lightweight; durable; variety of sounds, toys and play modes
Cons: Requires four D batteries (but they seem to last well); does not fold or collapse
The Bottom Line: Although we weren't sure at first that we would need a bouncer at all, this seat has changed my mind - it has quickly become indispensable to our family!
krissingene's Full Review: Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer
When we learned that parenthood was imminent, we did what most first-time parents do - scramble frantically for the nearest baby superstore and begin compiling a wish list.
Why This Bouncer?
Babies R Us makes it 'easy' for parents-to-be to use their in-store registry by providing a list of must-have items thicker than a Los Angeles telephone directory. My husband bravely assumed command of the nifty scanner, leaving me to ensure that nothing on our list was overlooked. We agreed fairly quickly on a travel system, nearly came to blows over a high chair, and when we made it to the bouncy seat aisle...well, neither of us felt very passionate about any of them. So, like the overgrown kids we are, we dutifully began testing each and every one of them, comparing bounciness, toys, extra features, perceived comfort, looks and (of course) price.
We finally agreed on the Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer, which seemed to have it all - cool lights and sounds, vibration, removable toys, cushiony seat and, at $39.99, a comfortably mid-range price. A quick ZAP and we were on to the next argument - er, aisle.
Assembly
A few months later, our new bouncer arrived - a gift from baby's godparents, who couldn't have known at the time how indispensable their gift would become. As soon as I was left alone with the box, I tore into it and laid all the pieces out - by this point, I knew that if I waited for Daddy to assemble anything, it may not be finished before baby went off to college. The only tool required to assemble this bouncer is a phillips screwdriver, which even I know how to distinguish and use. I was VERY pleased to find detailed instructions with lots and lots of pictures in the box, and had the seat assembled and ready to go in less than thirty minutes. While the curved metal frame threw me for a couple of small loops, the hardest part of putting things together was maneuvering the safety straps through the seat cover - but I prevailed. I feel confident in assuming that if I, being somewhat mechanically-challenged, can assemble this seat on my own, no one should have any real degree of difficulty.
The only thing we needed to make our bouncer complete that we did not have on hand were the whopping four D batteries that make the vibrate feature and sound and movement on the toy bar operate. Rather than shelling out for expensive batteries, we stocked up on cheap four-for-a-dollar batteries and are still using the first set we installed after two weeks of frequent bouncing. Therefore, the toy does not appear to drain batteries too quickly - but that said, it will probably die within minutes of my typing this.
What Does It Do?
Well, true to its name, it bounces - very easily and with minimal effort on baby's part (or Mommy's either if, like me, you feel the urge to administer an interim bounce from time to time - a quick tap with a toe while you're on the phone or eating dinner can pacify baby for a few extra minutes.) The sturdy frame keeps the seat from bouncing TOO hard or flopping back too far, which I consider a nice safety measure. My daughter was able to produce a few small bounces as early as one week of age, although I'm sure they were unintentional at that point...
Despite the colorful blue and aqua wave design on the seat itself, the toy bar is the prominent feature of this bouncer. A small aquarium mounted at the front of the seat is home to one spinning starfish and two colorful fishies - a mommy and baby that rub noses when the toy is turned on. When in use, the aquarium bubbles as soft green and purple lights flash slowly at the top of the toy bar. When the seat is first turned on, music begins to play - several different songs alternate for approximately ten minutes before the music turns itself off. (Be prepared to push the Sound Selection Button on top of the toy bar when the music stops if your baby really enjoys the music!) Can't stand the tunes? This seat offers several other sounds as well - ocean waves, summer rain, babbling brook and a quiet mode. And unlike so many other baby toys, this one has a fully-functional and easy to find VOLUME CONTROL located right on top of the toy bar as well. YAY!!
Two additional toys hang from the bottom of the toy bar - both sparkly and translucent, one is an orange fish with two removable teethers hanging underneath and the other is a green seahorse with an attached spinning toy at the bottom. Both of these toys are removable from the toy bar, but the clips that hold them on are so tight, I'd hate to think I had to take them off again.
There are two modes for use of this seat - parent activated and baby activated. In parent activated mode (the only one I've used thus far since our daughter is still so small), you choose the sound and the aquarium begins playing immediately. In baby activated mode, baby must kick or bat at one of the dangling toys (beneath the toy bar) to activate the sound, helping baby to understand early 'cause and effect'. In this mode, the different sounds and light patterns alternate to keep the little one interested.
Safety and Convenience Stuff
All babies should be secured in the seat prior to use - and the padded restraint actually doesn't look all that uncomfortable. We leave this flap folded down so that we can just plop baby into the seat and easily bring it up between her legs - we can then fasten the safety belts on each side before she even realizes she's being strapped into something, which she hates.
As with any baby equipment, use good common sense where your child is concerned. There are a list of things not to do with your bouncer included with the instructions - do not leave child unattended in seat, do not lift and/or move seat with child inside, do not use with a child who can sit unattended, etc.
The seat cover on this bouncer is easily removed for washing (thank goodness!) and can even be tossed in the dryer on a low setting.
What Does Baby Think?
While it's hard to know what's going on in that tiny little head (I'd wager it's something about LUNCH), most of the time our baby seems rather content in her bouncer - quite a feat in itself, as she is usually screaming bloody murder unless she's being held by Mommy or Daddy. The vibration and music seem to calm her - if either stops, the fussing starts again. She doesn't seem overly impressed by the aquarium or toys just yet, but I'm sure that will come in time...
What Does Mommy Think?
Mommy is quite certain that this bouncer is a godsend. On some particularly fussy days, putting her in this seat for a couple of minutes is the ONLY way I manage to visit the restroom, scarf down a snack or get dressed without her screaming at the top of her lungs for the duration. And, when placed beside my computer desk, it also allows me the opportunity every so often to type with BOTH hands again!
My ONLY gripe about this bouncer - and boy, is it minor - is that it does not fold or collapse for storage or transport. However, it isn't as though the seat is huge (about 25") or heavy (maybe a couple of pounds), and we've found numerous places to stash it around the house where it's out of the way but still easily accessible. While perhaps not recommended by the manufacturer, the toy bar makes a great handle - just grab the whole thing and move it to wherever it's needed most. In our case, that's usually whichever room baby happens to occupy at the time...
Contact Fisher-Price
Visit the Fisher-Price website at http://www.fisher-price.com or call Consumer Relations at 1-800-432-KIDS.
The tank features two lights and two air jets so that two fish kiss and a starfish spins Two hanging toys feature bright colors, textures, a spinner a...More at Amazon
Here’s a chair that soothes baby with the wonders of aquatic sights and ocean sounds! The Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer features four s...More at Albee Baby
Here’s a chair that soothes baby with the wonders of aquatic sights and ocean sounds! The Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer features fo...More at Cymax Stores
Fantastic prices with ease & c...(Stock status: N/A)
Here’s a chair that soothes baby with the wonders of aquatic sights and ocean sounds! The features four selections of music & sounds: lullabies, oce...More at Amazon Marketplace
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.