To help keep baby entertained, many come with a toy bar and this is one of the features that influences a parent’s choice. Apart from the toys, the other features that appeal to Mums are the padding of the seat and the fabric – again it’s our old favourite: what the product looks like. But here there is a distinct difference. Over the last few years, the price of baby bouncers has been steadily rising as more features, more padding and a generally more expensive look have taken over from the plain, cheaper bouncers. Indeed it is now hard to find a supplier of basic bouncing chairs!

Helen Stretch of Nursery Rhymes in Salisbury finds that her customers are happy to spend on a bouncer. "Some are put off by the higher prices of the Mamas & Papas bouncing cradle, but I have no problem with the Chicco and Cosatto ones which we sell for around £50. The Chicco cradle is favoured because it is nicely padded and the colours are attractive. It comes with an optional toy bar and we find our customers appreciate the choice. The Cosatto Rabbaroo is really soft and comes with a vibrator which is popular."