bumbo seat- how old?

Hi Ladies,

just wanted to ask a quick question about the Bumbo - of those of you have used it what was the average age you started using them and could your bub sit up on their own before using the Bumbo? - The reason i ask is the lady who runs our mothers group (i'm not sure what her qualifications are but know she mentioned something about being an early childhood something or other) said that they are such a "bad" thing to use as it stops the bub from learning how to put themselves into a sitting position on their own? - She is very opinionated on certain things (Bumbos and cloth nappies are two topics) :rolleyes: and i just wonder if it is her personal view or a general view?

Thanks! :)

I'm not sure about that one??? I was just planning on using it for feeding actually. I don't think it would be the sort of thing that you would leave them to sit in all day, i know I have seen them used at ds's creche when i have been in bfeeding him, they use them for bubs that cannot sit on their own yet. They sit them in front of a mirror while they are getting their bottle ready or whatever, and the bubs love it, but it would only be for say 5 minutes at a time.! Anyone else have an opinion?

I agree - it's not something that they sit in all day and most of the time it is just for short stints eg. while you have a (4minute) shower, go to the loo, hang out the washing etc.

My DD1 sat in her bumbo from around 5 months as that's when we got it but was able to sit on her own from 6 months so it didn't seem to harm her at all. She still sat in it when she could sit alone as it stops them toppling over and you can use it outside and for feeding etc.

I was recommended by an Early Childhood Development person to use the Bumbo as it supposedly helps them develop the correct sitting position and a straight spine - so I think it is her opinion rather than a fact.

I think, like any other baby equipment, moderation and common sense is in order ;) Anything they use all day, every day is going to be bad for them.

Ahh, they love to scare us don't they? My mchn thought 'equipment' (slings, bumbos, bouncers, prams, even car seats) was the devil's work and recommended bubs should spend no more than 1 hour in any 'equipment' on any given day :rolleyes: I think she either had forgotten or just doesn't know how hard it is to get stuff done with a baby around!

Thanks girls - yes, i think it was her own personal view, but the way she put it across was that it was such a bad product and that she hoped none of us had "wasted" our money one!

They all love to have their opinions on everything don't they??

We have a bumbo and have been using it since about 3 months. DS is still using it now at almost 10 months, and I can't see any signs of it having affected his development or ability to sit up straight!!

I think with the getting out of it, they are going to be motivated to get out of it eventually, whether it is because they are a particularly active baby, or they want to practice this new manoeuvre, or they have been left sitting in it too long, so I don't think it is necessarily a boy thing!

In the begining Jett was only in it for short stints, and he would let me know when he wanted out. But he did enjoy it otherwise as it gave him a chance to play with things while upright.

Once he could sit up by himself (around 5 months) he enjoyed sitting in it far more for some reason. We now give him his meals in it as there isn't as much splat to the food that goes over the edge due to the height being reduced from a highchair!! He also likes to sit in it in the kitchen while dinner gets prepared so he feels part of the action. Again if he gets tired of being in it he lets us know that he is ready by squirming or crying, but he has never thrown himself out and the bumbo has never toppled.

As for the tray, I have a friend who thought that was a waste of money because her DS could get out of it. I was very curious because bubs would have to have super powers if mine was anything to go by!! Turns out she wasn't actually attaching it correctly by clipping it underneath the bumbo which can be quite difficult to do as bubs is already sitting in it when you do. She is now very happy with the bumbo and tray. Not saying this has been other peoples experience, just thought I would mention it because if she didn't realise others may not either.