Encourage sitting - bumbo or playnest?

[Gentleness]

Not sure this is the right place for this - hope so!

With ds1 I really can't remember what we used! Cushions and maybe his carrycot but nothing specific. Now with ds2 hitting 6mo I've had much less time to work with him on sitting and so on, and I can't see that changing with a toddler in tow.

So what one product could I best use at home for him to be trapped in sit in and play?

Once my Son started sittin up alone for a few seconds, I used a play nest and filled it with soft/musical toys, he kept himself entertained for ages! Ive never used a Bumbo seat..I debated whether to get him one or not but he seemed very content bein in the play nest so I never bothered buyin one.
Best Wishes!

I'm a CM (note: children are asleep now, not being ignored!) and so have had children learning to sit up as well as other little ones wandering about so didn't always have time to work with them on sitting. They all just had a stack of cushions and that's it - no need for bumbo or playnests.

I did have a rubber ring sort of thing for DD, but gave up on it pretty quickly as she just kept sliding under the table bit after a while. Cushions much easier as you just throw them back on the sofa.

Don't bother with Bumbo they are useless. Ds refused to sit in one fore longer than 2 mins even with play tray. I used my inflatable ring playnest alot for all 3 of my children. I would sit them in and fill with toys and they would love it!

dd loved her bumbo. It seems to be one of those things that babies either love or loathe.

I got mine second hand for £5 and I plan to sell it on when I get the time. I don't think there is any point in get a new one.

We had a bumbo but the Boy's thighs were just too fat and squidgy for comfort and he just used to turn himself stiff as a board and scream to get out. My friend's daughter used hers from the time she could sit til well into toddlerhood as a booster on a chair. She loved hers but was (still is) a dainty little thing really.

The playnest thing is actually coming into its own much more now at 14 months as he uses it as a rest area for some downtime when he's watching the odd dvd, also as a climbing aid onto the sofa

We've still got the bumbo but gonna sell it on soon. We only got it secondhand from ebay anyway.

I liked the idea of baboo, unfortunately DD hated it. She sat in it for 2 minutes max! So, brand new it went, up the attic....

I had a Bumbo and Inflatable Playnest thingy and the playnest was by far the best, my DS loved it, and happily played in there with his toys for ages. He always tried to escape from the bumbo and it was a bit restrictive (only good for feeding IMO). I would say that both only have very short life spans as your DC will not want to be in either when on the move! I'm selling my (excellent condition) bumbo and playnest BTW, if you're interested

I have a bumbo seat i dont use it much as dd stretches herself out in it and im scared of her falling out.
How old do they have to be to go in a playnest, I have never heard of those lol!

neither.

i used both for ds1 - he used to throw himself back onto cushions and did sit in the bumbo for ages watching me do housework but it didn't help him sit up on his own.

ds2 and ds3 were/are too mobile on their tummy and being sat up made them cross. ds2 tried to throw himself out the playnest - luckily we had borrowed it so no money wasted!
ds3 is 9months, has been crawling for 2months and has been propping himself up with one hand in a 1/2 sit position, then last week realised he could actually lift up both hands and sit! i got a prince lionheart bumbo style seat for him and my 3yr old is using it as a booster seat at the dining table!

try and borrow them or get cheap ones off ebay to try.

I didnt use either I may well be wrong but I think children will sit up in their own time by using these items you are encoraging them to do this before their bones, muscles etc are ready for it.

With DC1 and 2 I just put cushions behind them when they were at the wobbly stage. For DC3 we were given a playnest and bumbo. I found the nest more useful, as he can move around in it and it is harder to loose toys. I also used my V-pillow to put behind him.

At 6 months I'd just ensure there's plenty of soft things around him so he can try to gain some balance himself, but something there for if he topples over. I personally just supported DS with cushions at that age, but wouldn't rule out a nest in future which I'd use a bit earlier on too.

Although lots of people use bumbo seats, I never found them very good or safe once over a few months old. Once they can start moving their bodies themselves, they can topple out - saw it happen with a 4 1/2 month old baby! Leaned forward a bit, wriggled and somehow came head first out of it. I was horrified and vowed I'd never use one. They're probably more handy with smaller babies who are unable to move at all though.

Want to second what tigerlilly said. We had a bumbo which DS liked to sit in and gave every impression of being trapped secure in.

He was sat in it on the kitchen worktop one day at about 9mo, straightened his body up and popped out. We were both watching but neither of us near enough to catch him and he fell to the floor. Although he was unharmed in the long run it led to a very stressful trip to A&E with a concussed baby that I wouldn't wish on anyone.

If you get one please, please only ever use it one the floor.

We had both given to us. The playnest was definitely better at teaching her to sit up. We had been propping her up with cushions for weeks, but within 2 weeks of using her "boat" she could sit up confidently.

The Bumbo was useful though especially as it was more portable. It ended up being used as an extra seat at meal times, all the nieces and nephews used it at some point. It was also great for "trapping" DD once she started moving (she could travel vast distances by wriggling on her back.) It meant I could have a shower and not have to keep getting out to extricate her from the corner by the toilet.
I'm not sure I'd pay for a new Bumbo though... but I'm cheap, skint, from Yorkshire thrifty :o

Not being funny but it does say on the bumbo seat itself not to use it on a raised surface like coffee tables etc.

Surely you can't put a baby ' under a few months old' in a Bumbo

I thought they were suitable from for four months minimum.

I think Bumbo's are okay to use once babies have good head and neck control.

I would agree with singleandproud, to me it just doesn't seem natural to help babies to sit before their bodies are physically ready for it, I really dislike seeing floppy babies forced into positions they can't hold themselves.