Delay exersaucer/jumparoo?

CourtneySue

I think I should be following this board more often?.

I sometimes forget that my twins are preemies. There is a large size difference as my DS was born at 7.6lbs & DD was 3.3lbs. They are now closer to 17lbs & 10.5lbs. My DS is just a big kid & DD is just like my first son so the size difference seems even larger now. However DD seems to hit her milestones faster then her twin brother so I don?t feel like she is delayed. She loves sitting up & seeing things more then him & does much better in the bumbo & at tummy time then her brother. We have not got out the exersaucer or jumparoo yet for the twins. I think DD would enjoy this a lot with a large stack of books under her feet. However are these items something we should be delaying due to her small size? I am going to ask our pedi but I can tell already that they are not very versed in preemie health care as it is a small town & smaller practice.

DrRx

We were told to avoid using those items, and if we did, to only use it for a total of 30 minutes a day in no more than 10 minute increments.  We decided to not get anything since it wasn't worth it. The reason we were told to avoid them is that they make the baby use and practice with the wrong muscles than what they need for sitting and eventually standing.  They "work out" the lower leg muscles and not so much the upper thighs and/or the core. 

sucrets4

CurlingRocks:

Well, we got scolded by OT for putting DS in his exersaucer so much.  He had a lot of trouble sitting.  He was diagnosed many months later with hip dysplasia, which was also a likely factor in his gross motor delays.  In any case, the toys you are talking about are not necessary for baby's development, so I don't see any harm in delaying and/or limiting their use.

DD had hip dysplasia as well, and her ortho actually said that she could have unlimited time in the jumperoo.  He said that the more upright she was, putting pressure on the joint, the more it would help to push it into place.  We didn't put her in it for too long or too often, but it made me feel better since she loved it so much.

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OP - DD always loved being upright (and jumping/pushing up on her legs), from the time she was born.  Once she had decent head control, we put her in the jumperoo a little bit.  I'd say she was around 4/5m actual when we started.  She did okay with it but didn't get the hang of it for quite awhile and didn't really jump for awhile, either.  She would move back and forth with her feet first.

As PP said, the other stuff is more important at this age.  But I wouldn't not put her in it because of her size, if you think she's ready for it.   

And my DD is still a craaaazy jumper to this day.  She has a small trampoline and is obsessed with it.  It's so funny what is innate! 

ETA:  I can't imagine having 3 kids so close together, especially with twins!  Congrats! 

CourtneySue

Thanks ladies. All good info & I will be following this board more often now.