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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Baby gyms - yay or nay?

26 replies

sh77 · 18/02/2011 19:21

I have seen some gorgeous baby gyms but wondered if they were useful and worth the money? Which ones would you suggest?

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dycey · 18/02/2011 19:25

We were given one and I would never have bothered buying one but I found it v useful. I think you just need the arches and then hang your own tots off it. No need to spend a lot!

rubyslippers · 18/02/2011 19:26

Yes - I used it for both mine until they were around 9 months old

They are great for laying them on so they can look at stuff and then when they sit up they can grab at all the bits and bobs as well

Boozilla · 18/02/2011 19:26

They are very useful but do have a short shelf life in my experience! Borrowing one or buying one off eBay is probably better than spending loads on a new one as they're not cheap and you won't feel like you spent loads on something you only used for a short time!

FoxyRevenger · 18/02/2011 19:28

Yes, definitely, worth it's weight in gold, mine was.

When she was tiny she just lay there, then as she got bigger was able to play with the toys that hang down, then when she could turn over she could investigate what was on the mat...it was a life saver!

God knows where I would have plonked her without it.

The one we had was by TinyLove but I couldn't say it was brilliant, there were only two toys hanging from it until I added more, plus the bars were hold together by a bit of twisted metal until I replaced it with a hair bobble.

duckymum · 18/02/2011 19:40

In laws bought this for DD and she loved it - would spend ages in there, definitely worth it.

DS is not nearly as keen - hated it early on, but has gradually come around so he will now spend some time in it every day.

If they had been born the other way round I wouldn't have been so impressed by the gym!

Original poster

sh77 · 18/02/2011 19:42

Thank you all! Really good advice.

OP posts:

InmaculadaConcepcion · 18/02/2011 19:43

Well worth it, yes. We got ours in a charity shop for £4!

PukeyMummy · 18/02/2011 20:40

Out of my NCT Group, several of us started out with other baby gyms, but from being round at each others' houses we ALL bought the Tiny Love ones - the babies loved them best of all! We had one with a musical triangle that played music when the baby batted it.

The M&P ones were rubbish...look lovely, babies got bored.

duckymum's one looks similar to the Tiny Love one we had.

pipplin · 18/02/2011 20:43

The lamaze one is amazing! It has a motor on it so it moves the arches whilst playing the tunes. It's the space and rockets one.
Been a life saver for us.

ipredicttrouble · 18/02/2011 21:27

Yep, very useful. DD was quite happy laying under it until she was about 4 months when she started wanting to sit up more.

Panzee · 18/02/2011 21:28

Great if your baby is a bit sicky too - they're much easier to clean than carpet!

Scouseem · 18/02/2011 22:10

Yes they are really worth it. I had a amazing one with DC1 that he adored an was happy to lie and play with then used it with DC2 till my dozy brother knocked a glass on it and it got covered in smashed glass (baby wasn't in it we just hadn't put it away) so gotta buy new one but wouldn't think twice because they can be a lifesaver to give you two mins to sit down while baby is happy.

Original poster

sh77 · 18/02/2011 23:22

Ta for advice re M&P - saw a gorgeous light blue one but I think the brighter ones are better for baby.

Another q - can the cover be removed for washing as the M&P one didn't?

OP posts:

Firawla · 19/02/2011 01:03

I don't think most of them covers can be removed, I've never had any that could be. But the lamaze one with the motor that someone mentioned above is also quite good for cleaning as its a more "wipeable" type of fabric, had an m&p one before (which was also good very bright colours and dcs used to really like it) but it was a pain to keep clean and seemed to attract dust as it was quite fluffyish, the lamaze one doesnt have that problem. Would say its definitely an item worth having

PukeyMummy · 19/02/2011 08:32

The Tiny Love one we have is a thin padded base mat and the arches are attached with poppers, so you pop off the arches and stick the base mat in the washing machine. Although it's also a wipeable fabric so I didn't need to wash it very often.

Agree that bright colours are best!

PukeyMummy · 19/02/2011 08:33

I used to stick a muslin cloth under DD's head when on the mat, so that caught most of the dribble.

roadtrain · 19/02/2011 08:41

Tiny love ones are very good.

Check washability - my tiny love one was washable.

Just a tip - a lot of mamas and papas stuff is not easily washable. I got a lot of their stuff when DS was born and it all looked lovely but was not as practical as other brands. Plus it is very expensive for what it is.

knitty · 19/02/2011 08:57

We have the Fisher Price Rainforest one. You can take off the arches and stick it in the washing machine. It can play jungle sounds (not too annoying) and has lights. It also has a setting that plays a short bit of music when DD hits or pulls something. It has lots of cute detail and is really well made. The toys that hang from the arches are good and I sometimes add some lamaze toys to change things around a bit. DD seems to love it and I agree it is worth its weight in gold.

trumpton · 19/02/2011 09:01

We call ours the Magic Mat. nuff said?

saoirse86 · 19/02/2011 12:34

I bought this M&P one from ebay for £1.20. I'm so glad I got it, it's so useful. DD lies on it to play and also for daytime naps as she hates the moses basket.

My mum bought this Lamaze one because it was half price and my DD and my niece (both 5 months) absolutely love it!

It's definitely worth buying one IMO and hang any toys off it.

cocoachannel · 19/02/2011 17:40

My Mum has just bought the Lamaze space one. DD not due until Weds my my sister and I have enjoyed checking it out..!

Panzee · 19/02/2011 17:44

I had the Tiny Love one. Didn't like the music so just never replaced it after a wash.

Firawla · 19/02/2011 18:48

wow £1.20!!!! you got a bargain there!

cowboylover · 19/02/2011 19:14

We bought the same Rainforest one as Knitty with our Tesco Clubcard points on the double points thing if you have or collect them.

PukeyMummy · 19/02/2011 20:47

"....Pop goes the weasel"

Had forgotten about the annoying music, Panzee. Might have to investigate an alternative strategy prior to DC2's arrival...

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