To not want my 15 month old trampolining

[Bizawit]

I consider myself to be a fairly relaxed mum. My DD (first baby) is almost 15 months. My childminder (who is also a friend) wants to take my DD and her daughter (13.5 months) trampolining tomorrow. I said I didn’t think it was safe- I’ve read a lot of stuff about the number of child injuries caused by trampolines , and also that you shouldn’t allow children under 6 to go on them. Friend/ child minder seems put out that I said I wasn’t keen, and is trying to persuade me that the advice only applies to trampolining at home and that the toddlers get given non-slip socks. I’m not saying I’ll never let my daughter get on a trampoline but she’s barely even a toddler- only been walking about 2 months, and still somewhat wobbly!

So AIBU- would you let your 15 month go on a trampoline?

Yes I would and yes I have. Where we go, they have special socks that you have to wear. My children have never had an accident nor anyone else's that I know. Everything around the trampolines tend to be padded.

I have a family member who is an orthopaedic surgeon. He will not let his children on a trampolines, regardless of the safety measures taken.

God no, DS is a couple of months younger and there's no way he's going anywhere near one for years. Way too young.

Yanbu. IMO children under 6 should not go on a trampoline with other kids, you will find signs saying similar in many A&E departments. Usually the biggest risk is the relative weights of the different children on the trampoline together. Head injuries can be very serious when a small child is bashed by another one. I think if the trampoline is enclosed and they are the only child on it, then from the age of about 2 they can have a go under supervision. But maybe I am biased because of all the trampoline head injuries I have seen

I'm a trauma surgeon.

I wouldn't let my kids anywhere near a trampoline park. I'd be OK with them having actual lessons on an individual trampoline.

At trampoline parks they often have a 'jokey' safety video with stick men injuring themselves. I've literally treated every single bone from the cervical spine down to the big toe over the last ten years in various incidents and I've seen two kids that have lost eyes (one took a knee to the face, the other got hit by a spring that snapped).

Trampolines are only fun when you don't follow the rules that make them safe....

Neighbour's child is paralysed from the neck down. His friend accidentally jumped on him when he fell over on a trampoline. I hate them. So dangerous.

Have you been to a trampoline park/centre? I used to be really worried about them myself after hearing the horror stories. I then went with DC to one for a birthday party. I was pleasantly surprised. There was a separate area for smaller children, which had very small trampolines and what was essentially a ball pit of foam for them to play in. IME they were very strict around safety and making sure everyone stuck to one person per trampoline. I'd imagine that's a lot more strict now with social distancing rules.

We have a trampoline at home which I wouldn't consider when my DC were your DC age.

I'm pretty sure the trampoline parks near me offer toddler/just walking sessions. I've never actually been but from when I've looked them up they are quieter sessions and parents are fully with the kids. I assumed they would be on a 1-1 basis, like swimming at that age, so can you friend actually take both children? They must be safe otherwise the sessions wouldn't be available. I'd happily take DS (15 months) but don't think I'd feel comfortable!e the first time going as the only adult and also taking DD (3.5)

I’ve let mine on at my pil house with no one else bouncing or even on it apart from me and DD and her just toddling about but she wasn’t that keen. However I said no to my childminder who had one in her garden as I don’t want her on it with other children or without me there so I’d have said no in your position.

Yeah...no thanks. Essentially you are the customer and she is the business proprietor. You don't have to give her a reason why not. Just say no thank you. Of she doesn't accept it respectfully then maybe time for another child care setting...

As an add on to my post I wouldn't let my DS go with someone with a similar aged child as, even with the best will in the world, they would always prioritise their child and their child would always be safer.

I'd let them go to a pre school session only at that age.

My 14MO DD has been to a trampoline park, they had a dedicated toddler area which had some individual trampolines and soft play equipment, was great she loved it!

Mixed bag of responses here! I'm in the "f*ck no" camp - I've heard too many medics, like PPs, warning against trampoline parks. Obviously, it's personal choice, but yanbu for not being keen!

I let mine on garden trampolines from being small, it's when they are older I think it's more dangerous. We have one in the garden and I think my 7 year old jumps too high to be safe now, I'm thinking of getting rid of it.

I think it’s a bad idea going trampolining at such a young age, especially as your dc hasn’t been walking that long. You don’t need to give a reason, she is your child and it will be you that has to deal with any mishaps that may happen.

It is a toddler only session apparently, but toddlers can be a range of sizes and there’s a massive difference between my not-quite-15 month old and a 3 year old.

@fatted I’ve never been to a trampoline park and seen what it’s like for myself, perhaps if I saw one I’d feel less concerned, but then again hearing the stories from some of the posters on this thread is terrifying!!

And as you say @Elmo230885 childminder will be responsible for both small kids, one of whom is her own, so that’s a factor too. I think if I were to let her go I’d want to take her myself..

I personally don’t like them.

@Brieminewine do they only let them on the trampolines one at a time? Did your kid go on the trampoline or just use the soft play equipment?

I work with a woman whose little boy fell at a trampoline park and got jumped on by another kid, he broke his shoulder and bit through his lower lip. After that, I had a complete change of heart about them

I agree with you OP, I'd be completely against it, especially at that age - they're babies!

Wow @FixTheBone thanks for sharing, that’s good to know!

I have a similar age baby and itd be a no from me. I'm relaxed about a lot of things but this wouldn't be one of them. Even in a toddler session I'd be worried about a larger child, jumping/crashing into my baby. Seeing how well supervised a lot of bigger toddlers are in soft play centres, I wouldn't take the risk.

No. I took my son once when he was 3 and never went again.
Disasters waiting to happen.

It was empty when we were there. No fear of him colliding with anyone.
But the way he bounced around bending his legs and landing on his arms aged me.

It's pointless. Your baby would gain nothing from it and the risk is to high.

I took dd to a toddler only session, aged about 3 (didn't know anything about it not being considered safe). She was on her own on a trampoline with me standing right next to it. Fell on the first bounce, managed to fall all the way off the trampoline despite the safety area, pushed a foam block out of the way with her fall and landed on a concrete floor with a huge gash in her forehead and having bitten through her lip. Never ever would I take a young child trampolining again.

I wouldn't.

1. They can't jump at that age anyway
2. Safety issues of which there are many
3. What will childminder do when they run off in opposite directions towards the 3yo's who are jumping pretty high