Are Bouncing Activity Centers Safe?

Antique Mom here:

19 and 16 years ago: I borrowed a johnny-jump-up device (hangs from an indoor door frame) for my kids to jump in. This is the first that I've heard that they are not safe.

My kids loved them. My kids spent a lot of time playing on the floor, but they both wanted to jump when we held them and so we borrowed the jumpers. As I remember - it's true - you only have them in the jumper for a short time - like when you're fixing supper - they can be "with you" and still be safe.

They are both A/B students. My son got a full scholarship to a major university, (so the damage to the brain wasn't too bad!) They both walked fairly early - like 10 or 11 months. I'm not discounting the health findings, I'm just saying that my kids didn't suffer that much. And they truly loved jumping!

A.

I think those bouncers, like any toy/distraction aid, is good in moderation. Don't leave children in them for hours and encourage other types of activities that have them on their feet. That should prevent toe-walking. And even if it doesn't and a child still has a tendency to walk on their toes, there's a fairly easy remedy if caught early enough in development. I wouldn't worry about it with the bouncers.

My kids used a walker and a door bouncer - both walk fine....it is about moderation....not using it all the time....only for short periods........both my kids used these for only a short time...........

I'm no expert, but we had one for my daughter that looks almost exactly like that, and my daughter loved it. I kept it in the bathroom for the longest time and she would play while I showered. No noticeable delays or problems with her walking or other development. I say use it and enjoy a few minutes of freedom! (At least one friend's baby did eventually learn to climb out, but that took a while. My daughter never did and I was able to use it even after she started walking some.)

S.,

Actually, none of those bouncers are good for an infant. The reasoning behind it is, infants, that have not started walking yet do not have not yet created the supportive curve in their low back to support the constant bouncing up and down. It will cause pounding pressure at the L5/S1 junction of the lumbar spine and cause problems like bedwetting and delay in walking in young life and serious low back issues later in life. Hope this helps!

My daughter played in a bouncer and never walked on her toes. The bouncer is used for such a short time to give you time to cook dinner/clean bathtub/mop floors and keep baby safe. If you plan on playing with your baby out of the bouncer and giving the baby a chance to play on the floor on tummy and back you will be fine.

I enjoyed having a bouncer. My daughter wanted to sit up all the time, but couldn't do it herself until 5 1/2 months.

Also, I got a sling this time for baby #2 and love it. It also keeps baby entertained and comfortable. www.slingstation.com has done international orders and they taught me how to use it. For some reason the directions on the box weren't enough for me. I can go around almost as easily as before my son was born. He now can face out and he loved the farm animals we saw on Saturday. I don't wear the sling in the kitchen since I don't feel safe doing dishes or cooking with him in it, but vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping are fun. Other times I let him play on his floor gym. I don't know if it's the sling, but my son is sooo much more vocal then my daughter. He's very quiet, observant in the sling, but bring him out and he will look you in the eye to chatter and shout- and he's just now 4 months.

Since you live in Europe, you know how cold winter can be. I put son in the sling and wear my larger coat so we are both toasty warm. This is much easier for me than worrying if I bundled him up enough in the stroller.

I'm off topic. If you are also a homemaker, you might enjoy the bouncer almost as much as your little one. Also once baby is crawling and pulling up, she will probably pull up on the bouncer. This one looks stable enough for that use, too.

I would double check that the bounce option can be locked and unlocked, so that it's not always making them off balance if that is a concern. Both my kids loved their bouncers and so did I. I used blankets to make sure their posture was good (not slumped over) and waited till they were almost independtly sitting up before using. Both walked early (10mo)and neither walked on their toes.

Bouncers or exersaucers are fine in moderation. They can be very helpful actually from the mom's stand point. I wouldn't worry about the toe / walking thing if you use common sense. They're good for helping the baby build that head muscle coordination and strength but have their limits. They're also good if you need to get a few things done. You don't want to leave them in it for too long.

All 3 of my kids used a walker...bouncer, jumparoo... and they dont walk on their toes... they are ages 5.5,4 and 2

Most kids go through a phase of walking on their toes at about 15-24 month of age... toe walking can also be sensory related but not generally because of a bouncer unless they are left in it ALL the time...

HTH
A. J

Hello S.,

I do not know about bouncers but I am also from Mckinney and currently living in Denmark for the 6th year now. Moving to Stavanger in 2 weeks as it is my husband's hometown. Will be nice to keep in touch. my kids are 6 and 5

Please do not get any type of these devices which put infants into the vertical positition. As a brain development specialist, this is a disaster. Please leave your child on its belly on the floor and allow them to move and explore your world. This is how they develop their pons and their midbrain, which are CRUCIAL for reading, auditory processing, and actually makes their running more organized and smooth.

If your child's body and brain were ready to be vertical, they would be vertical. If you need a device to put them vertical, they are not ready and need continued development on their tummies on the floor. It's just that simple and yet very, very important. I cannot overstate the importance.