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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

are bumbo seats a good idea?

37 replies

jeanini · 17/09/2006 14:08

hi my dd2 is 16 wks old and has been diagnosed with reflux. so she is likes to be in an upright position.

i was going to order a bumbo seat from ebay but then decided to get it frm mothercare. the manager there said that her physiotheripist for her child said they can damage the babies spine and hips.

so i didnt get one. but i just know my little one would like it because she would be sitting upright.

has anyone either used one or got any views on this
i would appreciate it. xx

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Bellie · 17/09/2006 14:10

not heard about the damage to spines etc, but my dd loved hers - she loved sitting in it and learning to hold toys up and have them in front of her. Have to warn you that at 9 months she learnt how to get out of it though!

WideWebWitch · 17/09/2006 14:39

I think they're great but they're only useful for that 2 minute window before they can sit alone so I wouldn't buy one tbh, I used one because a friend lent it to me. No idea about the spine, surely not? Or surely it only applies if you put a newborn in it ALL DAY or something? I'm no expert though.

Tinker · 17/09/2006 14:45

No idea about the spine but mine didn't really like it. Either borrow one or buy 2nd hand. However, my 2nd doesn't really like anything that she's supposed to though...

misdee · 17/09/2006 14:47

dd3 loved it. get one second hand, they have a resale value on ebay, i bought mine from kiddicare (the first one split where dd1+2 climbed in it ) for about £25, and sold it on ebay for £22 once dd3 had outgrown it.

IdrisTheDragon · 17/09/2006 14:52

I found DS (who is thinner and didn't sit up unaided until he 7.5 months) got more out of it than chubbier DD who could sit up on her own at 6 months.

heifer · 17/09/2006 17:21

My DD loved it.. Passed it onto friends, and I believe it has been passed on 3 times since...

Worth every penny....

Scrumbles · 17/09/2006 20:03

My DD didn't seem comfortable in the one we borrowed! I think his chunky thighs were part of the problem and that he couldn't reach most of his toys when in it! From chatting to others, girls seem to like it more than boys...?

BonyM · 17/09/2006 20:07

Agree with www - they don't tend to last some babies very long. DD2 learnt how to get out of it within 8 weeks of having it. It was good while it lasted though!

BonyM · 17/09/2006 20:08

Actually, it was probably nearer 6 weeks come to think of it...

Olihan · 17/09/2006 20:08

My dd and ds both loved it. It gave them a whole new perspective on the world!! They weren't as happy playing in it as it makes things hard to reach but dd would sit under the activity arch in it and play with the hanging toys. I also used to sit them in it when I was cooking etc so they could see what was going on.

Haven't heard about the spine thing but being in a sitting position for a prolonged period isn't good for babies who can't do it independently anyway so as long as you're careful about how long she's in it for I can't see it would be a problem.

Olihan · 17/09/2006 20:09

Oh, meant to say, dd worked out how to escape from it at 7 months but ds didn't get out until he was about 11 months .

aitch71 · 17/09/2006 20:19

my chiropractor says they should be banned, she's of the opinion that if your child can't sit up by themselves they shouldn't sit up. but she's pretty full-on... luckily dd hated hers.

mosschops30 · 17/09/2006 20:21

ds hated his, it made him vomit every time he was in it.

melpomene · 17/09/2006 20:37

dd1 tried one out at a friend's house and didn't like it. It was impossible for her to reach toys on the floor when sitting in it, which seems like a major drawback to me.

Mojomummy · 17/09/2006 20:41

I don't like the idea of them at all...

How about a bouncer chair ? they are quite upright & DD could still have a wriggle & kick of her little legs,

littleducks · 17/09/2006 21:08

I had a bouncy chair for dd but had to go and buy a bumbo chair for her as for about 3 weeks she started making a fuss the minute i put herin it and arching her back to get out, i lie her down most of the time but as she can roll really fast and started to wriggle like a fish across the floor (pre-crawling i think) i needed somewhere to contain her and she loves being upright. She loves it!
But i will bear in mind not to put her in it for too long after seeing advice on here, but i gave away baby bouncer (which my husband bought!lol)unused as the podiatrist nurse visiting the mums group said it shortened the lower leg muscles and caused problems and for the same reason sit in style baby walkers are no good.
So I think that the expert advice rules out almost all convenient devices designed to keep babies occupied but if i left mine lying down all day she would soon get bored and scream. So a little bit of time in another position will probably do no harm in the long term (better not let dh see this though or he will go mad about the bouncer!).
Sorry for the essay.

littleducks · 17/09/2006 21:09

DD is 19 weeks btw.

ledodgyrobespierre · 17/09/2006 21:10

My dd was too skinny so could get out of it and ds is chubby and it pinched his legs lol.

Mum2FunkyDude · 17/09/2006 21:13

I used it to feed FunkyDude in before I got the highchair. He'd sit in it for about 10 minutes and then started arching his back to get out.

So all in all, I would say it depends on the child?s temperament. They either like it or they don't...FunkyDude didn't like being swaddled either.

princessmel · 17/09/2006 21:15

My dd loved it. We borrowed two actually and kept one in the car for when we were out. She had got frustrated at not being able to sit up by herself. She was only in it for short periods at a time but it helped her to reach her toys etc. She was fed up of reclining in bouncy chairs. She stopped using it after a month ish when she could sit propped up with pillows. It helped me too as it meant she would be happy in it while I did a job, washing up, set table , make cuppa etc instead of her crying.

princessmel · 17/09/2006 21:16

Oh yeah, if you do get/borrow one, be prepared for everyone to say " ooh is that a potty?"

lizziemun · 17/09/2006 21:33

I would get one, my dd liked from the moment she was put in as she see what was going on better (didn't like bouncy chairs). i used to fed her in it to as i found easier then a highchair at the syart

I have to say she still sits in it or her doll and plays tea parties.(now 2yrs 7mths)

Rookiemum · 18/09/2006 12:48

Our DS isn't particularly keen on his and spends his time arching to escape from it. It is however useful for feeding if you are visiting friends and couldn't be bothered bringing a high chair. I't try to borrow one if possible before buying.

nikki48023506 · 18/09/2006 16:28

We bought my niece one when she was a few months. She loved it. I've borrowed it now for my 4 month old, and although she looks happy enough in it, she does arch her back and look like she's going to fall out of it!!

hana · 18/09/2006 16:30

had one for dd2 and it was great
wasnt' in for long periods of time so can't see how it would damage spine etc
used it for feeding as she wasn't sitting up until quite late
once she could wriggle out stopped using it of course

bought new - they keep their value v well and even on ebay with postage costs they are close to full price used

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