Bumbo Baby Seats - Good idea?

[~ Mylitta ~]

I've heard from a lot of people that love theirs. I was always told that it's not good to prop a child up into a sitting position until they are able to actually sit themselves. Basically, they do things when they are physiologically ready to do them and that we shouldn't force them. I know of quite a few people that have used them after their child can sit unaided as a way of stopping them from toppling while feeding and things like that though.

[Traveller]

I borrowed two for my twins. Boytwin would get stuck as he had chunky thighs and girltwin would slip as she had skinny thighs. We gave them back to the kind friends who lent them to us within a week.

[lise]

We bought one for DS, and he hated it, he only used it a handful of times. I was a bit disappointed as I'd had friends with babies who loved them, but not DS. I also recommend buying a second hand one, I sold mine on a local classifieds website for $30 and it was in perfect condition

[kateo]

Bumbo was recommended to me by SIL. I sisn't use it much before 4 months but now it's great to feed solids and so little one can be involved while we eat or I cook.....I have a HUGE island bench and put him in bumbo in the middle and cook while he sits and watches and plays with things. I mut say I have barely used the tray but I imagine it will be useful when he starts on finger food soon.

[Lila]

I used it for my DD and found it really useful when she couldn't sit on her own. Sometimes its nice for them to have a view of the world other than the ceiling! I lent it to a friend once she could sit on her own, but I actually wish I had kept longer because I think I would have found more uses for it. Oh well, we live and learn!

Highly recommend though!

[HotI]

I found it handy for bub to sit in the bottom of the shower. This was when she could sit up but not real well. I would sit on the floor too, but it gave me hands free to wash my hair etc.

My 21 month old still plays in it sometimes.

[Kazzo]

I got mine when DD2 was 4.5 months old and could sit up but would always tumble over. DH was overseas and all she wanted to do was sit up and I needed it so I could cook dinner or we would have lived on take away food

[Liviam]

If you are looking at buying one Target now make their own version of it for a much cheaper price and they are on sale at the moment. I have one and it is great.

[MummyNaomi]

A slightly different perspective - We borrowed one and DS sat in it a few times but shortly after went into a brace due to hip dysplasia

I must say that I have learnt through our orthopedic surgeon that structured devices like these that hold babies in position aren't at all recommended for babies natural development, they need to grow and strengthen their muscles etc and learn to sit, stand etc unaided - but where do you draw the line - prams / highchairs do the same so some degree. I think lots of this devices are more for the parents convenience (which I totally get) more so than to positively assist with babies development.

We didn't use a walker with DS for the above reason, and I guess with our unique experiences we have other reasons not to use things like bumbo's or walkers when baby # 2 joins us

Just some food for thought

[Liviam]

A slightly different perspective - We borrowed one and DS sat in it a few times but shortly after went into a brace due to hip dysplasia

I must say that I have learnt through our orthopedic surgeon that structured devices like these that hold babies in position aren't at all recommended for babies natural development, they need to grow and strengthen their muscles etc and learn to sit, stand etc unaided - but where do you draw the line - prams / highchairs do the same so some degree. I think lots of this devices are more for the parents convenience (which I totally get) more so than to positively assist with babies development.

We didn't use a walker with DS for the above reason, and I guess with our unique experiences we have other reasons not to use things like bumbo's or walkers when baby # 2 joins us

Just some food for thought

Fantastic information - thanks. We all need to remember to use anything like these seats/walkers/jolly jumpers for short periods at a time.