Opinions on the Bumbo seat

[chillisbopper]

Hi all,

I'm toying with the idea of buying a bumbo seat for DS. He's currently only 10 weeks so I've a bit of time to decide yet, although he's getting a lot better at holding his head now and enjoys it if I hold him in a sat up position so I thought around 3 months he'd be about ready.

I'm in two minds though because I've seen the price and would like to get him something good with the money! I read a few people online saying their babies were too big for one, but bumbo say they're good for up to 14 months and although my DS is long he isn't big in a chubby way.

My other trepidation is that I've looked at some second hand and everybody says hardly ever used which makes me wonder if they're so good why does everybody say they have got little use from them?

Has anybody any experience to share please? Did you have one and find it good/bad and why? Did you get a lot of use or hardly any?

thank you

I have a mama and pappas alternative which has removable insert so lasts ages, for the same price but lasts years

We loved ours, my youngest used it till he was 14 months and my older two till they were 10 months or so.
We used it with the tray so great for weaning

Tried one at playgroup and Dd liked it, but it was only useful for a couple of months until she got the hang of sitting herself and then we ditched it.
Bought in eBay for 5 with tray!

Ours has been used loads with DS, DN & lent it to 3 other babies but still looks brand new.
I'd happily buy a second hand.

They can actually topple over with an active baby we experienced ...

I think you are better off using some firm pillows for support, kids have learnt how to support their necks without Bumbos for centuries, it is all marketing (we fell for it though and it really was a waste of money).

If you have a baby who really wants to sit up to watch you but can't, or rolls everywhere so can't be in the kitchen with you, a Bumbo is great for about 2 months. Get one second-hand and re-sell it.

Ds got too chubby until he crawled and then could fit it but had the high chair by then. Dd loved it for a while until she could sit without it.

I've heard that they're not very good for development, e.g. mamaot.com/2013/07/16/beware-the-baby-bumbo-seat/

We have one that we used occasionally for DD1 over a couple of months. I've tried DD2 in it and she doesn't seem keen. A decent bouncer chair or reclining high chair may be a better investment.

Ds2 is jus turning 6months and hated it, he is quite chunky tho so really needed wedging in. I bought a mama n papas alternative (snug) instead and he (and me) love it so much more

Ds1 tipped it over within minutes. I put him back in and he tipped it straight away. Ds2 screamed when we put him in it. Put it away. Got it out for dd who liked it for a couple of weeks. Then she figured out how to tip it. I should have returned it to the shop as soon as ds1 tipped it.

DS (6mo) hates it. Starts trying to get out as soon as he's in it by pushing his feet against the floor, lifting his pelvis and arching his back. He'll play with things on the tray but send them crashing across the room in minutes. At the moment he just wants to be free to roll onto his tummy and frustratedly try to crawl, until he pukes. Lovely

hated it - complete waste of money. Both of my not especially chubby babies got wedged in them. They MUCH preferred an inflatable doughnut ring that supports them (you can wedge in extra pillows initially) that they could kick around in and loll through 360 degrees without hitting the floor.

Unless you can buy a really cheap second hand one, don't waste your money on it.

DS had silent reflux and liked to be upright, he hated a bouncy chair and used his bumbo loads, I loved it, even having paid the full price. The girls however hated it.

I took it into our local kids stuff charity shop and they were thrilled, they have a waiting list for them!