Bumbo seats, how do people feel about them?

[PasstheBucket89]

i didn't use them with me 2 other child, not sure why, i think maybe they looked as is they lacked back support maybe, i saw my 20 week old niece in one and it made me wonder if they are any good and wether to purchase one for no. 3?

I think theres some safety concerns surrounding them

I just recall our hv saying they werent great for back support or something??

I used them a tiny bit. I wouldn’t want to rely on one to adequately support my child, for example place them and it on a table or somewhere above the ground. I also wouldn’t want to leave my child in one, so supervised use only. Other than that I think they’re okay.

They apparently aren't good for hip development and I've been told by a children's nurse that their physios absolutely hate them and never recommend them due to the issues they can cause

My HV recommended against them as they can wreck posture. You don’t really need anything to teach them how to sit, just plonk them on the floor with a few cushions around them. Learning how to sit is 90% instinct so they will learn eventually if you keep giving them the opportunity and they have no health issues.

I had one with each of my children but never actually used it much - I just used a bouncy chair or Jumperoo and then when they could sit up they were happy to sit on the floor. If you’re planing on getting one, i definitely wouldn’t buy new. I think I paid £5 for mine. They wipe clean easily

I considered getting one second hand for DS as he was later to sit. I decided against it in the end I thought he'd be better learning on his own. No real logic just my instinct.

We bought one second hand. Only used it occasionally. I found it useful for picnics and as a spare highchair substitute for friends to use for their children when visiting

pointless and a waste of money. Friends raved about them initially but got so little use out of them

I heard that it’s not a position they should eat in. I don’t know if there is any truth in it.

Bumbo seats aren’t great for hip positioning as PP said, but neither are jumperoos or door bouncer and people still use them 🤷‍♀️ In terms of hip development none will do damage if they are only used for very short periods - I think the hip dysplasia guidelines say ten mins, twice per day max.

There were some head injuries associated with bumbo seats as people were placing them on raised surfaces and babies were managing to wiggle the seat off the edge and fall to the floor. I also think they aren’t great for spinal development because of the position babies are in and the pressure placed on their developing spines.

As a paediatric physio, my advice would be not to use bumbos, jumperoos or door bouncers, but each to their own and no judgement for those who do decide they want to.

I picked ones up second hand for each baby, then got rid 3 months later - invaluable for that short time when they really wanted to sit up but kept falling over. Worked better than a high chair insert.

I didn’t like it for my son when he was younger but now he’s a toddler he occasionally plonks himself in it and is quite comfy. I was gifted it second hand though, I wouldn’t have bought it.

Don't put them on a hard or raised surface whatever you do, babies flip out of them

Quite good for a fortnight or so, until DS worked out how to get out of it.

I loved mine that I used for DS - until he launched himself out of it face first (age 7 months) while it was on the kitchen counter

I went off it a bit after that...

@Gumbo

I loved mine that I used for DS - until he launched himself out of it face first (age 7 months) while it was on the kitchen counter

I went off it a bit after that...

Oh god terrifying. That made me shudder.

I was given a hand me down one and it was great for putting them in while going to the loo. Can’t see much more use for them though.

I had a sit up and play seat from mamas and papas which was similar to the bumbo; it was useful for snacks and for sitting DD in it while I quickly did things without her crawling about. I now have another DS and have no idea where the seat is and I’m not too fussed about getting another one.

I used the fisher price sit me up seat for that time when DD / DS was turning out of bouncy chair, but not able to sit confidently, whilst I had a wee or cooked . So probably age 4-6 months . Think as chunky babies they only fitted it until 7 months at a push.

@ChelseaCat I haven't had a jumperoo because I heard they are bad or a door bouncer even.

I had a few lectures from people that I was harming my kids developed carrying them in a baby carrier facing me which supporting to the knee pit. So in that W position. Oh and if they can't face out they won't be social so says my MIL. I'm not sure if the fisherprice sit me up seat is ok? It's done now but would be interested to know.

The lady who bought my bouncy chair sent me lots of info on why they are bad for babies and asked me whether I agreed ?! It's tough to know what is ok.

Yes i remember being told don't put them on your kitchen side by a midwife and thinking who tf did that???

We never had one - not for any particular reason, think they were quite pricey new and couldn’t find one second-hand at the time. What worked well for both of mine was a doughnut cushion, which we got given by someone - turned out to be brilliant for that stage when all they want to do is sit but they keep toppling over.

@showmethewaytothemagic baby carriers are absolutely fine as long as their thigh is in the correct position - basically you want to avoid their knee being lower than the hip joint. There are plenty of forward facing carriers that keep babies in the right position so no worries about anti-social babies! 😉

I haven’t seen the fisher price seat before but it looks Ok I think as it allows the babies’ hips to rotate outwards into the frog position which is what you want 👍🏼