Do NOT get a baby bouncer

[Maria123456789]

I felt like I wanted to make this thread because I’ve noticed an issue with both my kids because of their baby bouncer.

with my first I noticed he had a flattening on his head But by the time I realised there wasn’t much I could do plus I wasn’t sure how it was caused since he was mostly in the carrier during the day. Now it’s sorted itself out as his head grew it naturally rounded off.

with my second now I’m being extra vigilant and his head has had no issues. Since I started using the bouncer I’ve notice clear differences. I’m talking about the babybjorn/ ergobaby style that you bounce with your foot. I think this motion of bouncing the baby back up against the pressure you push with your foot affects the sensitive shape of the skull.

im just shocked that there’s so much pressure put on parents to get these kinds of bouncers when there is damage caused to children using them and wanted to make a post spotlighting the issue. I would say try to avoid these types of bouncers if you’re a FTM

Wait you’ve tested all baby bouncers?

I think it’s important to tell new mums that they can put their baby down (you are entitled to go to the toilet! Even the lullaby trust says that). A bouncer is one of many options. And many babies like looking around, hence the advice.

I don’t think I’ve heard about anyone else having your problem either. Regardless, being a new parent is stressful enough without setting a crazy goal that any small flattening of the head is bad. Most babies grow out of it and only 20% of babies even get it, do you think that the other 80% of parents aren’t using bouncers?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocephaly-brachycephaly/

Like any baby stuff, leaving them too long may result in a flat head. I find having several different places on rotate to put the baby best; basket, bouncer, mat etc.

The problem is leaving them there (or anywhere) for too long, not the bouncer itself. You do need to be able to put them down!!

I used a baby bjorn regular and my little one couldn’t have had a rounder head

I've never had an issue, I love the Babybjorn but I never bounced it with my foot, just let them move it themselves. They're only meant to be in it a short while at a time, like 15 minutes or something. Were you leaving them in it for hours? Were you actually told the bouncer caused it?

Of course we need to put babies down and like you said there are so many other options. Im just referring to that babybjorn type of bouncer. Not to mention that putting the baby down without bouncing wouldn’t cause the pressure to impact the skull.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocephaly-brachycephaly/

Used a babybjorn bouncer with all 3 of mine, no flat heads here!

From my understanding (backed up by what that NHS link says) the main cause of flat heads in babies is from them lying down in bed (in the cot/crib/wherever they sleep). Please don't go around frightening new mums without any evidence to back up your assertions.

Um….no! This isn’t true op. Your post is going to scare anxious new parents with its inflammatory wording.

baby bouncers are a god send to parents whose babies who need to be on the move all the time and cry unless they are rocked /bounced.

i have a baby like this and time in the bouncer was the only rest we got from the crying…. It saved me from a nervous breakdown!!!

Thank you for your input guys and am really glad it didn’t have an impact on your children. Maybe it was just me or my kids had sensitive skulls… But intuitively that upward rebound of the bouncer must put pressure on the back of the head.

I also agree that babies need to be put down somewhere soothing to give mums a break. I found carriers really helpful and I know there are other types of bouncers that move differently. Maybe that would have been better for me!

So do cots. In fact, they’re the main cause of it.

I’m not sure this is quite correct