Jolly Jumpers are BAD for infant development

[SunnyRain]

There is a lot of research coming out now that shows the harmful effects of Jolly Jumpers on the physical development of children. Chronic back pain is one such life-long crippling effect that we, as mothers, surely wouldn't want for our children.

The Jolly Jumper encourages tippy-toe bouncing which is counter productive for the development of good walking technique. They also encourage the strengthening of certain muscles out of balance with others which is what is now coming through in research as resulting in back problems in adult life.

I don't know if this has ever been raised on these forums before, but it seems to me that a good 75% of mothers that I speak to are using Jolly Jumpers as a convenient way to entertain their children while they get on with house work etc. I have to wonder if these mothers know about the current recommendations by child health professionals STRONGLY AGAINST using this equipment (as well as other bouncers and walkers that encourage use of the toes over weight balanced properly on feet).

Please, if your children are not able to bear weight on their feet yet, consider ceasing use of your jolly jumper or severely limit the time you place your baby in it. I am writing this note because it makes me sick to my stomach to think of our children growing up with chronic pain that will never go away and can not be fixed.

[Rach75]

I understand where you are coming from but also if used correctly I dont see a problem with them jack was never in his longer than 15min at a time...which I beleive is the recomended timeframe I do ahve friends that leave their kids int hem for hr's on ends and I can/do see a problem with this

[feeb]

I was told by a physio and pead they are fine if used for maximum of 10 mins a day, in fact they are beneficial to them.

We have one must say not used much as to much of a hassle as we have exersaucer which DS is it for short periods at a time multiple times a day. He gets cranky if there too long.

[~Raven~]

Interesting!

I put Mason in one but only a couple of times as he hated it and I really didn't like it either. Kind of freaked me out a bit and then we lent it to BIL along with lots of other stuff that we never got back.

[TwinsMummy]

Both of my girls used them a few times a week when they were younger and have never had any issues walked and crawled fine never had a problem i actually recommend the jolly jumper to my friends.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

It only encourages tippy toe bouncing if it hasn't been set at a correct height level.
My DS never bounced on his tippy toes in it. I think any problems that may be caused by a tippy toe bounce would be more likely now that he scoots along furniture on his tippy toes.
I don't see a problem if used correctly at all. And most babies get sick of it within 10 miniutes anyway...

[1MOREPLZ]

yep have to agree with others in this thread.
Jack only lasts 10mins max in it...then gets the cranks...
if set at the right height/level tippy toe bouncing shouldn't occur...

[leesha]

I was told by MCN not to use one but I have and DS loves it...I did wait till he was 7 months and was very good on his feet. He is only in it for a maximum of 15 mins per day maybe 3 times per week and always supervised!!
I have a friend who's 2 children have used a jolly jumper and are perfectly fine. I have another friend who didn't use one and her child walks on tippy toes!!! So who really knows??? Just use common sense when using one!

[amberj]

I did some research on it before I put DS in it, and from what I found, a lot of the dangers could be significantly reduced by setting the height so that they were bouncing flat footed rather than on tippy toes, and by limiting time in it.

I was a little concerned that JJ's can place the hips in a position that is not "normal" for their stage of development, but my MCHN (who is, oddly, very concerned about hips) did not seem to think this was an issue.

I'm surprised to hear about backs. To me, it seems like what he is doing in the JJ is pretty much the same thing he is doing when I hold him upright- ie- bouncing like crazy- but without killing my arms! I suppose the different might be how long you do it for, and, as we've all said, foot position.

[Nicambhar]

My DD uses it probably twice a day but never for more than 10 minutes at a time - as recommended by the store we bought it from.
We have the height set where her feet are flat on the floor and she just boings around happily.
My DS15, DD13 and DS10 all used walkers too and they are just fine and don't have any prob's at all.

[kirsty_lee]

Yeah I agree with Rach and Feeb. Ava used hers and her development is fine. She's just gone 10 months old and is already walking.

[SunnyRain]

The problem is that research and information is only now emerging (because Jolly Jumpers haven't been around for that long) that there are long-term problems for adults related to their use.

The health professionals are advising against their use.

[DaintreeDream]

My DD's physio has warned me against using one but only because she is already behind in development and due to time in hospital as a baby and a chromosome deletion she is likely to struggle with her developmental milestones in the future so we don't need anything to hold her back more than needed.

I am a bit against walkers etc anyway so it didn't really bother me. When I did discuss it with the physio however she did say that if a baby is healthy and meeting milestones then a max of 10-15mins a day was fine.

My nephew practically lived in his jolly jumper and walker and he was walking independantly at 10 months and is a healthy active 10 year old now, hmm, I find that strange that I have seen that it did not 'harm' him yet I am still a bit unsure about them, I too just cannot see it being all that good for there back.

All that said, my DD was given one as a Xmas gift, she does enjoy it but I am very concious of her develpment so she gets one 10 minute bounce every 2 weeks (in between each physio appointment)

Good on you for informing others on something they may not have known or simply not have thought of

[LimeSlice]

Charlotte loved hers, was in it every day and has no problems with her back, her hips, her feet or walking. in fact she was standing and chair walking at 8 months and walking at 10 months. She has never had an issue at all, ever.

Most of the problems people seem to have can be resolved by common sense and following the instructions. WRT to studies showing problems in adults directly due to the use of JJ as babies, I find this very hard to believe - how on earth would they prove that the problems were caused soley by the JJ?? Did they leave people in traction for their lives except to put them in a JJ? It would be the only way to conclusively prove that it was JJ that caused any such damage.

I rave about JJ they are fabulous, and are very good for encouraging balance, coordination and muscle control. They are also fun!! Thanks for posting though Nice to know people care

[Junglemum]

I think like many things there is a potential risk. Just because you use a jolly jumper doean't mean your child will definately walk on tippee toes, have back issues etc. But, there are associated risks, particulalry if it is not used correctly. It is good to be aware.

Kuriaza- Thanks for pointing out the current research. It is always good to be informed. I have heard a bit about it, and was always cautious to only use it for short periods and at the correct hight.

[SamiH]

I agree, thanks for putting the research out there - it's not meant for people to take it personally - just information for you to do with what you will.

[Oorki Galoorki]

i think also when new research comes out about a popular item, often it is met with scepticism because we all like the said item.
but its this info that once its really our there then we can make informed desicions about it rather then assume the marketting company for these products have our childrens best interests at heart.

yes i own and have used the JJ

[Toomanytoomany]

Kuriaza- Thanks for pointing out the current research. It is always good to be informed. I have heard a bit about it, and was always cautious to only use it for short periods and at the correct hight.

We always used a jolly jumper for our babies but after reading more and more things coming out about the potential damage, we sadly resigned ourselves to not using it any more.

Like a previous poster said, there's nothing wrong with being informed and you just do with the information what you see as appropriate.