What should I buy my 4.5mo - jumperoo?

[Chickchickadee]

Hi

My amazing little DD is 4.5mo. I keep hearing how good jumperoos are and I'm trying to figure out if I should get one. Are they really worth the price? The Fisher-Price Rainforest one gets amazing reviews on Amazon.

I also don't know whether to get her a Bumbo so she has something she can sit up in.

Also should I be starting to look at a high chair for her?

I worry as I'm back at work (not by choice) although working from home and do one full day on a Monday so concerned she doesn't get much stimulation and spends too long on her playmat. I was thinking the jumperoo and Bumbo might mix it up a bit. The rest of the week we have an activity everyday (swimming, baby massage, baby sensory and music group) which we normally combine with a visit to a friend or meeting DH for lunch so she probably wouldn't use it much the rest of the week. Given that (and that money is tight) is it really worth it?

I see lots of lists for what to buy newborns but not so much advice for 5-12 months. What have been your best buys for this age group?

[Iggly]

How long will you use one? I don't like the idea as they're restricted whereas mine liked rolling about with various random toys/objects just out of reach to get them used to moving.

[GirlWithTheYellowHat]

My dd loves her Jumparoo, she goes in it every morning after she's had her bottle. I think it was the best purchase we ever made. We've got the rainforest one too.

Check gumtree and your local Facebook selling pages as you should get a second hand one for about £40

[Namely]

My DS LOVES his Jumparoo. He got it from grandparents for Christmas. It is expensive but worth it I think.

[heymammy]

Def recommend the jumperoo...we borrowed one for ds. Bear in mind tho that she might not be able to do the jumping part strAight awAy. Ds couldn't jump in his until he was 7 months! But he did like to sit in it And play with the toys.

No need for a bumbo, she will be able to sit when she is ready, no need to be propping her up before then

[Mollydoggerson]

Def get the jumperoo.

Get a highchair you can wipe down. Not sure about the other thing.

[Hermionewastherealhero]

My son loves his, plus it allows me to get the washing done, breakfast eaten and my make up on!

[MN044]

Our Bumbo lasted a week. Our Jumperoo on the other hand was bought at 3 months and is still going strong at 9 months. Total Gumtree bargain at £35. I don't think you need to buy a new one, check Gumtree or local ebay listings as they're too big to post. You should pick one up less than half price. Ds loves his, and has since we first put him in it. Invaluable to have him contained while I run upstairs to the loo or to put laundry away.

[TinyDiamond]

jumperoos are massive, not worth the money but they are always going on eBay. we got really good use out of our bumbo from 4 months onwards, get the tray, good as a spare highchair thing if you have a friend with another baby come over and only one highchair. recommend a door bouncer, hardly takes up any space.

BTW the only highchair to go for is the IKEA antilop, don't waste your money on anything else

[MN044]

The thing with a door frame bouncer is, I was always paranoid about the door closing. Not to mention we used one not realising the wall wasn't all that solid and put a big crack above the doorframe Jumperoos are indeed a huge eyesore though. Better than the playpen babycage though. We also had an antilop thanks to all the hype and found it just awful, the straps couldn't contain my ds at all, very very easy to escape from. This time we're gone for a cheapy bog standard one with wipeable seat and 5 point harness. Much better.

[Chickchickadee]

Thanks for the advice! Already checked Gumtree and none in my county for sale and the local ones on eBay are quite expensive (£50+). Will keep an eye out and cross fingers that I come across one round the £40 mark.

Will take a look at the IKEA high chairs, shame we don't have one local.

[Namely]

My DS bounces in his at 15 weeks. He just needs to have a cushion under his feet otherwise he just dangles!

[housesalehelp]

yes jumperoo -keeps a watch out on ebay - I bought a second hand and then sold it more for I paid
wouldn't bother with bumbo - it suits some babies but mine just escaped from it!

[teacher123]

Bumbo didn't work at all for DS as he has podgy legs! He LOVES his jumperoo though, uses it everyday quite happily whilst I get his meals ready, he's nearly 9mo. We had a doorway bouncer as well which we used everyday for about 3 months whilst we got up and dressed in the morning! We've stopped using that now as he starting swinging from side to side in a slightly cavalier fashion!

[sharond101]

Jumperoo has been worth every penny. DS also loves this, www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplay0_10751_-1_8424_10001

He got very little use out of his Bumbo seat and a 8 months hates being in it.

[MimsyBorogroves]

Yes to the jumperoo. I got mine on eBay for £45, barely used. It's now been used by 4 different children (only 2 of them mine!) Best thing I bought.

Bumbo really depends on your baby. My first wasn't interested in moving or sitting himself at all, and so it really helped him get another perspective on the world! He used it until 9 months and we never had a problem.

My DS2 used it for 2 weeks before he started trying to escape.

SIL's DS used it once, and flipped himself straight out.

[MillyStar]

Another vote for jumparoo!

My 9 month old loves hers and goes in it every day, we got it for £40 on gumtree and I'm gonna look after it and get near to that much back for it!

It is huge and very ugly but who cares about that when you get to see a smiley little jumping face every day ;)

Bumbos are rubbish I don't think babies look comfy in them at all, I bought one and asked the health visitor about them and she wasn't keen at all

[attheendoftheday]

I'm going to be a lone voice saying I found my bumbo seat useful, mostly as a place to put dd when I was cooking. Not sure I'd bought one though, ours was given second hand.

[Pascha]

DS1 worked his way out of the bumbo within the week. The Jumperoo lasted a good 6-7 months til he was having more fun cruising. It is big but worth it. Clubcard points paid for ours then we sold it for £45.

[PoppyAmex]

Our Bumbo lasted 3 weeks; around 5 months DD became an expert in arching her back to try to escape it and it didn't really feel safe anymore.

Here's the review I wrote for the jumperoo in Amazon - DD is now 10 months old and still adores it.

My 4 month old is the ultimate velcro-baby and nothing keeps her amused more than 2 minutes... enter the Jumperoo! She absolutely loves it and it keeps her happy for a good 20ms, which honestly is such a huge help. I also feel it's helping her develop her dexterity, as she's manipulating the toys, turning around to reach and jumping up to get the flying toys. One of the best baby buys we made!

[Pleasenomorepeppa]

Our Jumperoo saved my life!! DD went in it without crying for at least 20 mins. Happy days!!
The gumbo she hated, her legs were too tubby. Now she's 3.6 & quite skinny she likes to sit in it .

[BertieBotts]

Jumperoos are fab!

At about that age I got DS one of the fisher price healthy care booster chairs for strapping to a normal chair. We didn't start weaning until a bit later but it was supportive enough to hold him sitting so he could watch me in the kitchen and he loved the play tray on it. It did us well until he could sit up happily on a normal chair, first as a very portable and washable high chair and later as an adjustable booster.

[Chickchickadee]

Bidding on a Jumperoo (going up to £55 now so fingers crossed) and just looked at that healthy care booster which looks great and just what we need!

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

The best baby item ever invented, they should be handed out at the hospital with each new baby :o