Advice on Exersaucers and Jumping Products

I cannot imagine them cauing bowleggedness unless they are in there for excessive amounts of time.

I used the excersaucer for all 3 of my kids, and all are fine. all of them walked by 9 months.

I always used the excersaucer because i didnt trust the ones that hung in the doorways.... and i kept the height setting so that they could stand up and put their own weight on their feet, and sit if they wanted to as well. They have such a blast in there... :) the fabric seat is not constricting enough to cause a bowlegged stance anyway.

Here is what I have learned from my daugher's physical therapist...if your child is in either toy for a few minutes/day (less then 30 minutes TOTAL throughout the day) it will not hurt them. The exersaucer can cause the child to walk on their toes and both toys' seats cause them to put their pelvis is an incorrect position. Hope that helps!

We had Exersaucers for my sons, I have never heard that they cause bow-leggedness. My boys loved them and they were a great way to keep them busy and contained for short periods of time. You shouldn't have them in them all the time, they say a max of 30 minutes a day because it can delay crawling and walking, but otherwise I think they are fine to use. My boys were sitting up on their own at 6 mos,, crawling at 9 mos. and walking by 13.5 mos. And no one is bowlegged.

I was only told that the walkers were bad... That they could delay walking. But, I have heard nothing about exersaucers and bouncers. My daughter uses both (about an hour total a day for just a few minutes at a time--like when I'm grabbing her lunch or something).

My absolute favorite baby gear that I recommend to everyone is the Around-We-Go Entertainer. Babies R Us has it, I think it's about $80. There is a seat that revolves around the play table that can be removed later on. My daughter started in it at about 4 months and is now two and still plays with it. There is a little magnadoodle on it, a piano, and a few other fun things for them to play with. The seat doesn't bounce at all. We had a walker too and never used it. You aren't supposed to leave them in anything for too long. Everything in moderation. To be hanging unnaturally like that for a long time is really bad for their hips. It's the same difference as the baby bjorn and an ergo carrier. The ergo is ergonomic. It's not hard on the spine or hips like the bjorn or snugli or other similar products.

My Dr also recommended that I do not use it. BUT here is my thoughts...

I have an almost 19 year old son who never used one but was bowlegged and had a tunred in ankle. Hmmm- wasn't a jumperoo that caused it then!

I have a 19 month old daughter who used it and is fine. The best part was the fun she had in it and watching her learn to bounce and the giggles and grins we got while she was in there. I wonder if it was more fun for her or us! lol She would probably spend 2 hours a day bouncing around.

If you do decide to get one make sure that it has adjustable heights so you can change it as he grows. The worst thing was I could not change it and she went through a growth spurt while on vacation. I put her in it and just figured I would have my hubby adjust it when he got home- well she bounced and jumped and played for awhile and got all excited and jumped so high then when she came down her butt almost touched the ground but her knee hit the tray that went around her. Small bruise and a few tears but she was fine! Scared me more! lol

Good luck to you in whatever YOU decide!
Blessings!

I am not familiar with whatever literature your pediatrician is using regarding these products and adverse effects. What I can tell you is that all 3 of my kids used a jumping product that went in the doorway many years ago (Johnny Jump Up, I think) and they all loved it. I imagine the problems come when the child is left in the item for long periods of time, which would imply that they were unattended for at least a portion of that time. Most kids let you know when they have been in long enough--usually a just few minutes. My grandchildren have all used exersaucer type items without problems. Again, they need to be watched while using them.

as a nurse in a ped office I had not heard of this. maybe if they were left for hours but I just had someone call at the office and asked our dr this same question and they see nothing wrong with it. I always think everything in moderation.

YES! Something about this was published in the Chicago Tribune at the beginning in March. The actual issue is: Being strapped in an exersaucer can force babies to keep their legs bent or stand on their toes, which may lead to “toe-walking” when the child gets older. Walking on toes instead of the whole foot can prevent a child from developing proper coordination and can cause back pain later in life, therapists said.

My first born used both the exersaucer and johnny jumper and has been having issues with toe-walking. We may need to see a specialist. My second child is almost NEVER in the exersaucer, has never been in the johnny jumper, and has been walking for about 3 weeks. We'll see if he ends up with toe-walking issues, but so-far, so-good!

Hi there! I have used excersausers and the johnny jumpup with both my 8 year old son and now my 10 month old. Both of them are just fine as far as their legs go!

Exersaucers and jumperoos are great, but limit them to 30 minutes per day. Walkers are death traps on wheels, so avoid them.

We stuck with the hard and fast 30 minute max per day rule with the exersaucer and skipped the jumper. Our baby was walking at 10 1/2 months, so it did not slow his development in the least. Some people believe that being in an exersaucer or jumper too long does not allow core strength and balance to develop, both of which are essential to pulling up, cruising, and eventually walking. (In an activity center such as these, the baby can 'lean' or be 'held in place', so the muscles are not developing)

yes, they arent good for babies. I had one with both my kids and I think as long as you use them sparingly then its ok. My son's PT said to not use them at all though.