One of the most daunting tasks we parents face while preparing for a new baby’s arrival is selecting the right gear to fit our lifestyle.  From baby carriers to high chairs, the options are seemingly endless.

I distinctly remember being pregnant for the first time and perusing BuyBuy Baby completely overwhelmed by the choices.  While safety and functionality are paramount, what about style?  I was bewildered by all the garish colors and patterns that would surely overwhelm Chez Glamamom’s neutral palette and turn it into a romper room.

Well, I’m older and wiser now, and thanks to this blog and a lot of trial and error, fluent in all things baby.  Turns out, you don’t have to compromise your aesthetic for innovative and versatile baby gear.

To prepare for the birth of our second child, I was even more selective about additions to our apartment simply because there’s so little space left.  Everything must have a clear purpose and pull double-duty when possible.

I again planned to nurse and co-sleep and wanted a bassinet that could fit next to our bed for easy accessibility at night.  With Sebastian, my mom convinced me to get a white frilly bassinet on wheels that was adequate but ridiculously over-the-top and quite frankly, an eye-sore.  Shortly before Lucas was born, I began working with Stokke, the 80-year old Norwegian company famous for its iconic Tripp Trapp® chair.  They’d recently debuted the Bounce ‘n’ Sleep Daybed and thought based on its dual functionality, portability, and minimalist design, that it would satisfy all of our needs and it certainly does.  There are three configurations for the Bounce ‘n’ Sleep Daybed that make it a versatile and practical choice for small space living.

As you can see from the photos I snapped of Luke kicking up his heels around the apartment, the Bounce ‘n’ Sleep Daybed makes a statement without overpowering the space.  He’s content whether sleeping in the daybed or hanging out in the bouncer (while I relentlessly photograph him).  For Luke, the daybed provides a comfy vantage point to explore what’s going on around him or stretch out and play with his dangling piggies.  For me, it’s a secure place to contain him while I’m trying to cook or take a shower.  The daybed is lightweight and easily slides around, while the bouncer has handles for portability.   The bouncer can be adjusted to either lie flat down or at a 30 degree angle, essential for babies like Luke that have reflux.

The daybed has a metal frame covered with a sturdy, tan canvas material and a mattress.  The bouncer is plastic with white cushioned fabric and tan piping, giving it its calming, neutral aesthetic but obviously white shows stains easily.  We typically put a burp cloth under Luke’s head to catch any spit-up.  The mattress can be removed from the daybed so that the bouncer can sit inside and act almost like a pedestal to lift it off the ground for better interaction and bonding.

The quality is impeccable, which explains the price tag: $199 for each for the daybed and the bouncer, a little less if you buy the set.  We’ve been using it consistently for the past 5 months and it looks brand new.

It’s worth noting that the bouncer does not move on it’s own, have sound effects, or come with any toys.  Luke is a very chill baby and doesn’t need much stimulation but not all babies are as easily entertained (Sebastian *cough*) and may need some extra bells and whistles.  Also, the mattress sheet is sold separately.

Sadly, Luke will be graduating from the Bounce ‘n’ Sleep Daybed shortly (it’s suitable from birth to around 6 months) but I’m relieved that Stokke offers the equally stylish Sleepi™ crib that can be converted into 4 different bed types up until he’s 10 years old.

{I was not compensated for this post.  I received the Bounce ‘N’ Sleep Daybed, as well as other products solely for review purposes.  All opinions expressed herein are my own.  Post contains affiliate links.}