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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

Bumbo seats

22 replies

MrsN1984 · 16/03/2015 12:29

Just wondering what your thoughts are on the Bumbo seats.
I've read that they can hinder a child's natural development but the company that makes them say something different and I am torn

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Stayworkathomemum · 16/03/2015 12:56

I would say firstly, that the company selling them are always going to say they are great for obvious reasons.

I have a bumbo seat for my little one because he was taking a long time to sit up compared to others.

It didn't bother me because I knew he would do it when he was ready but I wanted him to sit in something upright to help strengthen his back.

It turns out the reason why he took longer to sit up was because he was born a big baby and its takes them longer to carry their weight and strengthen their body.

I would never of kept him in it for longer than 15 minutes at a time anyway, most babies get bored of being in one place and mainly because I know its good for him to just move around, explore and do what he feels is best.

I had my bumbo seat from when he was 6 months (now 9 months) but he used it about 5 times, again because he was born a big baby (and he has his daddy's legs lol) he couldn't get his legs in.

As I said I wouldn't leave a baby in them for more than 10-15 mins twice a day but they are good for using with the tray if they are on finger foods or Baby led weaning.

Kel2013 · 16/03/2015 14:53

They are great to sit them in while maybe doing the dishes or any kind of house work as you can lift it at ease from room to room. My DS would only really sit in for 10 minutes at a time before he got bored. I think they are a benefit if used correctly. It didn't do my DS any harm. We used one from about 5 months to 9 months as this is when he mastered how to get out of it.

TheEagle · 16/03/2015 14:56

My DS hated the Bumbo - he was never comfortable in it, his legs were always squeezed into the leg holes!

If you could try out one or borrow a friend's one you might get a better idea if it's comfortable for your little one.

Pippidoeswhatshewants · 16/03/2015 14:57

Children who cannot sit unaided - propped up by cushions, in a buggy, in a bumbo or otherwise, as the muscles needed for sitting are not strong enough yet.

I am not a fan of the bumbo understatement at all.

Pippidoeswhatshewants · 16/03/2015 14:58

Sorry, forgot the last part of my sentence there! Children who can't sit unaided shouldn't sit

Artandco · 16/03/2015 14:59

I'm not a fan. If you have a child who's very delayed sitting it's better to use a highchair for them to sit in to eat/ watch you in kitchen.

And leaving them to roll/ stretch on floor will probably be better for them developing muscles anyway.

addictedtosugar · 16/03/2015 15:04

We borrowed one from a friend. DS1 mastered getting out of it at 5 months....
We used one at a bf cafe when he wanted food after that, and if there promise of food was there, he stayed in. Otherwise I think they don't use many - very active and they escape, can't see yet, and it prevents them building the muscle mass, chubby legs, and they don't fit.
Plus the fact its very tempting to put bumbo and baby on the table so they are at your height. Please, please please never do that.

Snozberry · 16/03/2015 15:11

Ours was barely used, DD got bored sitting in it and I realised it had no purpose. The only real use I can see is for eating in (on the floor) but DD was too big for it by then. There’s not much point sitting them in it just to keep them still, propped up or whatever, they get bored.

CloserToFiftyThanTwenty · 16/03/2015 15:17

DS loved his as it helped him sit up to eat and look around, and it was somewhere safe for him to go for a few mins when I had to do something non-baby friendly. He worked out how to get out of it eventually but it was good for us. I agree it's worth borrowing one to see if it works for you, and you can often pick them up cheap second hand (they last really well too)

stressbucket1 · 16/03/2015 16:54

I only ever used it for starting weaning until I felt they were ready for a high chair so 6-8 months ish? It was easier than strapping into a high chair until they get too big

AnythingNotEverything · 16/03/2015 16:59

DD had a magic window of about 10 days where she enjoyed the different view of her playmat arch. After that she could throw herself out and actually starting sitting independently weeks later.

I found I couldn't be further than arms reach from her, which negated the whole point really.

She was happier sat in the pram watching me cook/shop/sing/dance in front of her.

atonofwashing · 16/03/2015 17:23

I bought one years ago - didn't think they still made them!
Total waste of money.

HootyMcTooty · 16/03/2015 23:14

I have the mamas and papas version and I love it. However, it's only ever been used for feeding when they weren't able to sit up on their own for long periods and for putting crawling babies in whilst I pop to the loo/make a cup of tea. I wouldn't use anything like that at any other times as I wanted to encourage my DC to sit up unaided.

BikeRunSki · 16/03/2015 23:19

DS took about 30s to work out how to get out of it. He was months old. Glad I bought it second hand and only wasted £7 on it.

BikeRunSki · 16/03/2015 23:19

^ he was 4 months old ^

ChablisTyrant · 16/03/2015 23:28

Ask around and try to borrow one. They work brilliantly for some babies and not for others. My first did sit in it but my second had chubby legs that only just squashed in and hated it. Hurled himself out every time. Definitely not essential kit. Put towels around to prop into high chair if necessary.

Aliwithtwins · 16/03/2015 23:31

I loved mine! Great for feeding twins at the same time and really useful to take one to the swimming pool, so one was safe while dressing the other one.

unlucky83 · 16/03/2015 23:32

I love mine -but I think I had DD2 in when she was older???
She would sit in it and watch me have a shower/hang the washing out etc. Also sat her in it to wash her face etc.
When she could sit up on her own it kept her captive ...so eg hanging out the washing I didn't spend my time trying to stop her crawling head first down concrete steps (are garden is on a slope so has a few levels)
Also it was great when I went to visit my parents when she was weaning ...didn't need to take a high chair etc. A quick wipe off was all it needed (someone gave me a posh highchair -height adjustable, foldable, could lean them back if they fell asleep - sounded fantastic but it was a PIA to clean). A pram would have done but then it would be heavier more cumbersome to move around.

I would say I never left her unattended in it -I wouldn't and she did eventually learn how to escape but for a while she couldn't do it instantly...I had a few more minutes to do what I was doing.
I see the more recent ones have harnesses - which I think is a good idea.

shitebag · 16/03/2015 23:38

Never had one for DS and a friend lent me one for DD because it was "a god send".

In actual fact it was a PITA as my 4.5 old figured that if she arched her back far enough she could tip herself out of it as the harness wouldn't go tight enough.

I gave it back within days.

HootyMcTooty · 17/03/2015 09:36

The mamas and papas baby snug is much more stable than a bumbo, it doesn't topple, the table stops them climbing out and it suits babies who are, erm, chunkier of thigh. I wouldn't say it was an essential, but I've found it useful for both of mine.

Guin1 · 17/03/2015 15:29

DS has been very fond of his bumbo since age 6 months, but we have only ever sat him in it for feeding, and one of us sat next to him on the floor while he ate. We haven't bothered with a high chair - he doesn't have to sit at the dinner table because he doesn't have dinner at same time as us yet. He has quite short, skinny legs, so has only just grown out of it, aged 2.6 years! So, yes, we got good use out of it, esp as bought second-hand for less than a tenner.

dicko1 · 17/03/2015 19:55

I had one for my girl but she only used it a few times she was bored in it.

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