DD bored and Physio says No to jollyjumper

DD is 7 months (was 6 weeks prem) and she's getting bored just laying on the floor.
She can't roll back to front just yet, she's trying really hard. She also is trying to crawl, but can't move yet.

Physio says flat-out NO to a jolly jumper as they're not recommended by Physio's due to the fact that they can affect hip development. I haven't tried DD in the jolly jumper yet as last time I put her in it the 'saddle' went up to her chin because she's so small (5.5kg).

Any ideas? She wants to be upright, but doesn't like sitting in her rocker. She's just being really feral lately and it driving me nuts.

My DD loves her activity centre. It's one of those ones where the bub sits (well, she's held in a standing position) in the middle and there are a bunch of different things around the edge for her to play with. Maybe that would help?

Aww sorry she's giving you a hard time at the moment. Is the physio saying no to jolly jumper specifically for your DD or in general for all babies? I'm just curious cause I used it for both kids and they love it.
If she likes being upright have you tried a bumbo? My ds doesn't like sitting in his bouncy chair anymore but he is happy to sit in the bumbo. They sit fully upright in it and can see what's going on around them.
Good luck finding some way of keeping her happy :hug:


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I think it's good to give them as much time on the floor as possible with toys around them, above them, next to mirrors, windows etc. and the more time she has there will give her the chance to learn how to roll as well and sit up etc. If she is crying all the time and not wanting to lay there I would change her scenery around and if that all doesn't seem to work, then possibly get one of those activity centres or you could get some toys to stick on her high chair table for times that she is a bit grizzly about being on the floor. Soon enough she will be crawling around, and then walking so it may not be a good investment $$ wise!

Oh yeh those activity centers are great! I forgot about them because we don't have one this time around but did with DD. They can also be handy once they are rolling and crawling if you need them to stay in one place for a little while you get something done.


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I've looked at those activity centers in Big W and, unfortunately, money is a bit tight at the moment. My family pay should be in tonight and we're off to town tomorrow so I'll try and get one. Town only had a Target and Kmart. Haven't got a high chair yet (money issue again) but will get one tomorrow, hopefully. Maybe she'll prefer sitting in that, but she'll need some pillows around her, she can't sit by herself yet.

Jolly Jumpers aren't recommended by Physiotherapy Australia for any child.

She's just so feral today and we have Physio this afternoon, so that should be fun!!

PM me where in vic you are.
Ive got an activity centre Im trying to get rid of, its only a basic one, and it goes to 11 kilos.

They still have to sit in it though, so check with your physio - but its not a walker -it stays in the one place.

Just PM'd you.

I might be wrong, but your physio might not recommend the activity centre either - its again to do with the way they are supported by the seat thing, that its not good for hips. Although I think I read somewhere that as long as their feet are completly flat its ok, its if they have to be on tippytoes to touch the ground that causes problems. Like I said, I might be wrong so feel free to correct me.

FWIW, I've never used a jolly jumper,activity centre or bumbo with my kids (the only time we had a bumbo in the house, DD used it to try and climb over the back of the sofa and promptly lost consciousness when she fell :rolleyes: ) anyway, they had there moments of boredom, but I'd either just change their scenery, or their toys. A little bit of boredom isn't going to hurt - in fact I'm sure I saw an article recently that we were made to have times of boredom so our brains can recharge. DD and DS are excellent at making their own entertainment now too (please don't get me wrong, I didn't leave them screaming or crying, but if it was just a grizzle or moan, I'd leave them for a bit whilst I did stuff). In regards to the rocker, DD was only ever happy in there if she was with me and i was doing something, so I'd only really use it in the kitchen whilst I cooked, or took it outside while I hung hte washing up and so on.

Do you have a local library or other government centres where they run kids programs? Rhyme time is great for little kids, and can lead to a big sleep after.

Taking bub outside, or look at things through a window for 10 minutes.

Tie a bunch of ribbons to a stick and wiggle them through the air, or have a fan blow them.

Get a sparkly helium balloon that floats and wiggles.

Put some music on and dance around silly.

Put a rolled up towel under her chest so she can look around a bit more (check with the physio on this one)

Blow bubbles

get different materials for her to lie on (rough,soft,shaggy, slippery...)

If you look around at home, you might find some more things for her to play with.

FWIW - DD was born with hip dysplasia. We had a jolly jumper and an activity station. Once we were brace free, the surgeon said there was no restrictions on activities. She was allowed to do anything. She loved the activity station, even after she could crawl around. Good luck.

Exersaucers are great both boys loved them.

Activity tables are great too.

Balloons toys that are bright and make noise or move.

DD loved her Jumperoo (google it, Fisher Price make them). It's very similar to an activity centre but they can bounce as well. Not sure what the problem is with the Jolly Jumper from a physio perspective but if it's the seating position, the jumperoos and activity centres would be out too then.

We used the jumperoo a lot (because DD loved it so much, it was gorgeous!) and we used our jolly jumper (she much preferred her jumperoo) and DD is fine. She crawled at 8 months and walked a couple of days before her first birthday. Her development wasn't affected at all.

Take her outside if the weather allows. Even watching the light through the rustling leaves will entertain them for ages. Otherwise, do you have a carrier? That keeps them upright and close to the action. They're often happy if they can just see what's going on. I often sit DD in her high chair in the kitchen if I'm cooking, for eg. Also setting her up near where DS is playing helps :lol: He's very entertaining.

Everyone has given you some great suggestions. I just wanted to add that it's not necessary to get a new high chair or new toys for her. Check out eBay or op shops too :-)

If a child cannot sit up alone and unaided, propping the child up is supposed to be bad for development - I've not done research on this so cannot give an opinion. However, boredom is a great stimulant. DS had a floor mat with an arch over it (which he still loves) and quickly got the hang of baby jigsaws. DS was very frustrated just before he started crusing (didn't crawl) so maybe she really wants to move and is finding it hard? It's a great encourager. Put toys just out of her reach and she'll have a focus then.

Is there a toy library in your area? They can be absolutely in valuable if your budget is tight

I second the toy library idea! Have you tried wearing your DD in a sling, so she can see what youre doing, and you still have free hands?
Our DD only went into the JJ and exersaucer once she could hold her head steady and roll. I think she was around 6/7 months. Our physio actually suggested them, as she was favouring one side, and they both make you balance things out.
And she was never in them longer than 20 minutes (if I was DYING for the loo/shower) and usually 5 - 10 mins at a time (while I mopped/chopped meat/made her brekkie)

http://www.physiotherapy.asn.au/imag...%20walkers.pdf
this recommends activity centres/exersaucers :)

i read the recommendations about Jolly Jumpers, and made a decision for my child, to use them, but under certain conditions:
- i set a timer for 10 minutes (for her to be using it)
- i sat with her the whole time she was in it (supervision)

exploration, curiousity and boredom are all part of a baby's world, necessary bits. it's how they learn.

my bub loved wooden pegs, i underestimated hwo much fun she would have, with basic stuff like that (e/g took me years to understand the value of a scarf, piece of cloth - to entertain a bub). at the time, i felt like a failure as a mum, cos i didn't have lots of plastic toys for her (e/g every other mum went nuts at the July toy sales except me, or that's what it seemed like).

Thinking about basic stuff - I managed to entertain a 2yo for half an hour just with wiggling fingers. Maybe that says more about my son's mental abilities than the joy of free toys though.

SiL went the "tonnes of plastic" route, whereas I obviously didn't. Doesn't make her a better parent.

Will managed to amuse himself for about a half hour yesterday with a blankie that he kept pulling over his head, like in a peek-a-boo style. At this age, they're learning about consequence and anticipation, and repetition is great for that. Other things : bright paper (eg woolies catalogues) that they can crunch and crinkle. Bubble wrap taped onto the floor for them to roll onto. Mirror on the floor that someone mentioned above ... With Pip, I would have him in his rocker next to a window and he'd watch the leaves in the breeze for ages - it'd also zone him out and he'd often fall asleep. Pip would also enjoy watching the birds in their cage. And Will enjoys just sitting at the table with us, we give some toys for him to reach for and he plays with them. (well, slaps the table trying to get to them .. )

DS didn't particularly like the Jolly Jumper and I was a bit wary about using it too much for the reasons mentioned above. He sat in the bouncer for a bit if I bounced it and HATED tummy time! A rolled up towel/cushion and lots of amusement provided by mummy helped him go about 2mins max. I basically carried him everywhere, or sat with him and amused him (HotI had some great ideas) while he lay on his back. Once he could crawl he was happier, and now he's walking he's a lot more independent but still clingy and wanting someone with him all the time when compared to others his age. Music, singing, batting things (not just toys but scarfs, ribbons etc), household objects (DS's faves were/still are pegs, cardboard boxes for pushing over, plastic containers with things to shake inside etc) , books and peek a boo were all fun and inexpensive. He loved watching the birds, trees move, shadows etc. The toy (and book) library are great ideas, plus they get you out of the house and chew up a bit of time...;)

Have been meaning to post this for days....

WASHING BASKET!

Put a blanket or quilt into your washing basket, then pop her in there, sitting up, with a pile of toys. She can't fall over, she can reach everything, she can practise sitting up, and she has a different view of the world. Worked for my DD for ages until she started sitting on her own. We also did the same with a cardboard box, which was even more fun because we lined up pegs on the edge, and stood finger puppets on top of the pegs, so she could pull them off, chew on them etc. She had a great time.

OOhhh, Audax! Great idea.