Sit in activity centres

I know Jolly Jumpers aren't recommended for babies but just wondering if activity centres that have an inbuilt seat are ok. Just been to mothers group and the mum had 1 (fisher price rainforest I think was the type) had activities all around and DD could move to play with what she liked and it did have a bit of bounce in as well. She loved it and having somewhere to put her that she loved when I need to be with DD1 would be great

I am hesitating on 2 counts 1) its sort of same concept as jolly jumper, she was only touching with tippy toes but doesn't involve big bouncing like with JJ 2)DD has been treat for hip dysplacia so have always stayed away from things that could put pressure on hips but have never been told it is a problem that has just been a thought of mine.

Edit: just done some looking on internet and it is a jumperoo that friend had.

We've got one of those for our DS and he loves it! I was also a bit reluctant to get any sort of jumper, but when we tried it in it at the shop he just had so much fun that I thought we should give it a go. Not sure about the hip thing though, maybe give the mchn hotline a call and ask them. If you're only putting them in it once or twice a day for a little while I don't think it could be that bad though...

We borrowed an exersaucer from friends and DS loved it.

He was not that fussed by the jolly jumper.

You could always go for an exersaucer instead of a Jumperoo. They can't jump in an exersaucer, but it has lots of fun activities still.

I used an exersaucer with DS2 and he loved it. I put DD in a Fisher Price Jumperoo (it sounds exactly the same as the one you described) the other day and she loved it too! They are such a great way to entertain a bored bub :)

Personally i don't like them (sit in activity centres) and never used them for my children. I feel that any device that makes a young child's body do something that isn't natural is a bit suspect. I also am not fussed on the plasticy material and over stimulating colours. Tummy time with a range of natural materials was what i aimed for. I can understand the appeal of the activity centres though especially when you have a mobile crawler... but if i really needed to get something done i'd pop them on a rug inside a port-a-cot with some safe toys for short periods. no judgement toward parents that use them....each to their own ;)

Bath - If you'd had my DS2 you'd understand why I got one LOL! He was NOT happy a lot of the time when he was a bub and wanted to be carried everywhere, it was very exhausting. He wasn't content to be left lying on the floor for long unfortunately. He would only last 5-10 minutes at a time in the exersaucer, but it just gave me a little bit of extra time to get things done :)

we had one when Jack was on tippy toes I would put a cushion under his feet so he didn't hang as such got ours from target

I have never heard of the exersaucer Trish... but I know what you mean by clinginess :) it can be totally exhausting! should have added that my views are also the product of those at the ELC/creche where I worked... we weren't allowed to put babies in things like activity centres.... but being at home with a child alone is different... like I said... no judgement... somedays yopu just do what you gotta do :hug:

we have a rainforest jumperoo and both my ds's loved it. i think it's a great, fun toy for them to play in.

We have something like what you are talking about. When DD was little she didn't really like to sit in it for very long. But I do know other kids who loved being in them for ages. My DD got more use out of it when she starting pulling herself up and would walk around the outside of it playing with the toys. So it was still useful. Will probably try DS in it when he can touch the ground with his feet. I am not sure about just standing on their tippy toes though, isn't that why they say you shouldn't use walkers?

Can some-one tell me what's supposed to be the problem with Jolly Jumpers? I only ask cos DD is a bounce freak - I spend ages holding her while bouncing on a fitball (the only way she gets to sleep!) and was hoping to get her a JJ now she's big enough to hold her head and back up herself (almost sits sometimes) to give me some time to do other stuff while she entertains herself. She does like to be on the playmat with some toys for short periods but I reckon she'd LOVE to bounce herself....

As far as I know there isn't a problem, as long as they have head control.
My MCHN said they were fine...but some parents leave them in for waaay to long and that's the bad part. DS used to go MENTAL in his, it was hysterical to watch.

Mitch loved his sit in thingo (he could spin around in it and face all different ways- is that an exersaucer?), he loved bashing everything but like the JJ I would leave him in for 30 mins at a time max.

The only problem I have with them is they seem sooooooo expensive (and I also hate plastic), but we were given one and I passed it on to someone else so it's certainly being well used. At the end of the day I don't think they use them long enough to justify over $150 - but they are also the kind of toy that wears well with good care, so check out 2nd hand places or ask around your friends.

I had one for DS2 & have one now for DD2. They both loved it & it is a great thing to get those few extra minutes hands free!

With DD2, usually when she wakes she has a cuddle or whatever, then nappy free time on the floor - when she is bored with that she goes in the play-centre then out for more cuddles / floor time.
It just breaks things up a bit for her I think, also she is quite mobile already & loves being upright.

FWIW I got mine off EBay - actually I have 2 & one is going to my sister & neice for Christmas ;) - one was $21 with no toys attached to it, the other was $28, it's the Safety First Activity Centre & there are a lot of them on Ebay right now, around the 30-50 mark I think. I wouldn't pay the $180 for a new one but that's just me ;)

Koru - I think the issue is that jolly jumpers and walkers etc can encourage babies to stand on their tippie toes (which apparantly can affect feet development and hinder walking), however, like everything - all in moderation. We have a jolly jumper and a jumperoo (sadly we can use neither now as my DS has been diagnosed with Hip dysplasia and cannot use either), but we only used to let him play in either for no more than about 15 minutes at a time.

Bridee - I'd probably stay away from them regarding the hip dysplasia as they do force the hips into a position that is very different to they way the babies are braced to promote the correct hip development - can you call your orthopedic surgeon and as for their advice? Personally I am devastated that Bailey can no longer use his, I haven't heard his outrageous laugh much since he was braced, he would laugh his little head off in his jumper :(