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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

to early to get a bumbo??? to aid sitting up

15 replies

hippy3 · 04/07/2011 19:22

HI I have twin boys who are 13 weeks and 3 days, .... they spend a lot of time in their bouncer chairs, they love being picked up and have quite good head control.... so I am wondering if it is too early to introduce the bumbo seats....??? are they meant for older babies??

I am concious that one of my little ones may be getting a bit of a flat head.....although the docs said it was nothing to be worried about and is VERY mild, I dont want it too get worse... and I know the bumbos will be good for them to strengthen their neck muscles.... but I am not sure if they are meant for older babies.....

We do lots of exercises to help them and my DP and I do give them pleanty of opportunity to sit upright but I would LOVE to have them in sonething else during the day...any suggestions...???
Thanks !!

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MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 04/07/2011 19:50

We were given one but ds managed to tipple out of it (more than once to my shame ) I've since heard other people say the same.

I'm not sure that it actually aids sitting up. I think that's more a developmental thing than practice iyswim. I doubt it would make more than say, a weeks difference, but am ready to be corrected.

MoonFaceMamaaaaargh · 04/07/2011 19:53

sorry, ment to say i can't recall when the manufacturers say you can start using them...

Emzar · 05/07/2011 09:16

We've just bought a Bumbo seat. The leaflet that comes with it says it can be used from 3 months, but that you should assess your baby's strength and ability to hold their head up before using it. Our son is 3 months in a few days, and holds up his head, but although he can sit in it he doesn't look comfortable and leans back, so he's not ready for it yet and it'll be going in the cupboard for a few weeks.

They're not intended to strengthen a baby's neck, they already need a strong neck before they use it. But worth getting one to see if yours are ready. I guess it would only be a few weeks to wait even if they weren't. :)

Momo36 · 05/07/2011 10:51

I was warned against the bamboo seat by a chiropractor (who has babies also) who told me that they were not good for babies' backs. My DD loved sitting up from early age so I went against his advice and bought one anyway. I thought that surely a short while in the seat would not harm DD. She was 4 months when I got it and sat in it 5 maybe 10 times and that's it! She clearly did not like it as she could not move her legs (she loves kicking) whilst in it. It seemed as if it was too restrictive for her. For me it did not work at all but I hear that other babies love it.

I am not sure whether it does any harm or not, but I would be reluctant to put a younger baby in it. I'm sure there is a good reason why bouncers/chairs are the way they are for young babies :)

trixie123 · 05/07/2011 11:38

we bought one for DS when he was a few months old, used it once and it went in the loft (he was too chubby for it and didn't seem to find it comfy!) Hadn't thought of the lower age limit. What about beanbags? They mould around the weight so would solve the flat head issue and you could sort of pummel them into whatever shape you want. Am considering getting one for DD (7 wks) although she has just started to quite like being in the swing seat we bought her (thank god, she hasn't been keen so far and I was in strife for "wasting" £50)!

ellesabe · 07/07/2011 08:45

Our dd hated the bumbo. I think she found it very restrictive as she couldn't kick her legs in it. She loves the beanbag though

Rubyabcd · 07/07/2011 20:26

My dd loved bumbo, you know they are safe and you can get a play tray to put on front to put toys on etc. I also used it as a traveling high chair for my mum's etc... I used it from about four months to ten months.

RockChick1984 · 08/07/2011 23:14

My ds loves his bumbo! He has excellent head control, I was told that you can start putting them in once they can sit (supported) on your lap, he first went in at about 10 weeks and liked it but got tired quickly and only stayed in for about 5 mins - I noticed he was starting to slump in it so took him out. By 13 weeks he was able to sit comfortably in it for up to half an hour, he hates lying down and wants to see what's going on so it's perfect for this, he loves it!

NicholaGriff · 11/07/2011 10:24

I put my DD in from about 4 months as I was worried about her "flat head" and wanted to reduce time on back or in bouncer. She didn't like to spend too much time in it and hated the play tray. I used to put her next to her baby gym in it so she could play with the toys hanging off it which seemed to work. I would definitely recommend using one, even if it is just for a change of scenery for them!

GwendolineMaryLacey · 11/07/2011 10:37

I think they're awful, restricting things, wedging the baby in an upright position before they're ready. They're tiny babies, just let them kick around like they're supposed to!

Weissbier · 14/07/2011 19:35

Here in Germany they tell us never to use Bumbo seats - they say it's not good for babies to be held in a sitting position before they can do so on their own.

peppapighastakenovermylife · 14/07/2011 19:38

my DS's were in them at that age but sat independently from 4 months so were ready. They liked being upright. DD was different and much more snuggly.

Am intrigued as to what 'exercises' you are doing with your babies though?

Geordieminx · 14/07/2011 19:40

What about a door frame bouncer?

Geordieminx · 14/07/2011 19:41

Like this

Miffster · 14/07/2011 19:45

They are dead handy for weaning though. DS is 7 mo, can sit but wriggles about on my lap/ crawls off if sat on floor and I can't stand cleaning food out of every crevice of high chair three times a day, so he gets plonked in bumbo for his porridge and sloppy meals. Then I just sling it in these sink, after I rinse ds in the sink.

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