There is nothing cuter than warm snuggles with a baby. Anyone can spend a whole day cuddling and playing with a little one forgetting the entire world around them. But when there is a baby in a house, there is a lot to get done and the caregiver too needs a break. So you need to have something to keep your baby entertained while you work or rest. If there isn’t a partner or a helper for your support, that is when a baby bumper comes to the help.
You can put the baby in the jumper and do your chores while watching him. It will give you free hands to complete your tasks and will also keep your baby happy. But when is the right time to use a baby jumper? Is a baby jumper safe for a baby? Keep scrolling and we will discuss answers to all these questions in this article.
CONTENT
2. When can I put my baby in a jumper?
3. How long can my baby stay in the baby jumper?
4. Are jumpers safe for the babies?
5. How to use a baby jumper safely?
6. What are the alternatives for a baby jumper?
1. What is a baby jumper?
A baby jumper is a device designed for the entertainment of babies. It has a suspended seat in which the baby can sit and bounce himself by pushing the floor from his toes. The seat is fixed to springs or rubber straps that are connected to a frame. The frame can be a part of the device itself or something in the household such as a doorframe. These three types of baby jumpers are available in the market.
- Devices with a sling-type seat fixed to the doorframe with rubber straps.
- Devices with a seat suspended from a stand with springs. Generally, these baby jumpers are covered in fabric. The seat is surrounded by a playpen that has toys.
- Devices with a playpen that has toys around the seat and the springs placed under the seat.
2. When can I put my baby in a jumper?
A baby is ready to be put in a baby jumper when he has control over his neck and the ability to hold their head straight. You should never try to put your baby in a jumper until he can hold his head and neck by himself. The babies develop neck and upper body strength by the age of six months. So a baby is ready to use a jumper at six months. But babies reach developmental milestones at different ages. If your baby is six months but does not have proper control over his neck and head, he is not ready for a baby jumper.
You can use a baby jumper for your baby until he can sit up by himself. Every bumper has a maximum weight limit that falls around 25 pounds. If your baby has reached the maximum weight that the jumper can bear, it is no longer safe to use the device.
3. How long can my baby stay in the baby jumper?
It is not recommended to spend more than 15-20 minutes on a baby jumper. The use of the baby jumper should be limited to two sessions a day. This is because the jumper seat places the baby’s hips in a position that can hinder the development of the baby. Research has also found that babies who spend more than recommended periods in a baby jumper are late to start walking.
Use a bumper until you get a little chore done. Keep the baby close to you and never leave the baby unsupervised in a jumper.
4. Are jumpers safe for the babies?
Yes. Baby jumpers are safe when used in moderation (Two 15-20 minutes sessions per day). But it is not safe to use for extended periods and can affect the development of the baby’s skeleton system and the muscular system. Weaknesses in the skeleton and the muscular system can cause serious health problems in a person’s adult life. Below are some risks of not using the baby jumpers properly.
- Jumper seats restrict the hips of the baby in a position that causes strain. It can lead to developmental hip disorders, such as hip dysplasia and even dislocation.
- When the baby is put in a jumper, he will probably bend forward and stand on his toes. It will make their calf muscles get tight. But the gluteus muscles will not get enough exercise which can result in toe-walking.
- Your baby can hit his head while in the jumper and, it is the most common injury reported related to jumpers. Head injuries can happen in several ways.
-The baby hitting the doorframe or getting his fingers pinched.
-Bending over and falling
-Mechanical defect in the jumper
– Older sibling trying to play with the baby and accidentally pushing the jumper.
5. How to use a baby jumper safely?
Any device you use with a baby is unsafe if it is not used properly according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer and the health experts. Below are some tips to follow when putting your baby in a jumper.
- Start using the baby jumper only when your baby is ready. He must have the complete head control to use a jumper. Stop using the jumper at the appropriate time when your baby can sit up or has reached the maximum weight limit.
- Invest in a safe jumper that is of good quality. Do not buy cheap, unsafe jumpers compromising the health of your baby.
- Read and follow the manufacturer’s guide carefully while assembling the device and setting it in the appropriate height for the baby.
- Regularly check for damages and wear-outs. If there is damage or, wear-out replace straps before putting your baby in the jumper.
- Ensure the baby is well-secured in the jumper as per the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Never leave the baby unsupervised in the jumper. Keep the baby close to you in the jumper and do your work while watching him.
- Do not use the jumper for longer than the recommended period. You should not let your baby in a jumper for more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time and use it no more than twice a day.
- Talk with the older siblings and explain the risks of pushing the jumper or play with it.
6. What are the alternatives for a baby jumper?
Let your baby play on the floor and, it will come with many other benefits. Being on the floor will let your baby on his tummy as well as on his sides. These exercises can develop the muscular strength he needs for the next developmental milestones like sitting up, standing up, and walking. Babies who spend time on the floor has more opportunities to explore the surrounding and gain space around him. There will be no strains on the hips restricting the natural growth of the baby.