Tell Me About Your Bumbo...

MamatoJackson · April 2010

What do you use it for? Does DS like it? How is it better than having him hang in his bouncer?

Amrice78 · April 2010

I wouldn't use one as they can delay gross motor skills and aren't great for their little spines. I'd stick with his bouncer.

kcisthebombdotcom · April 2010

My DS loves it, but your DS may be too young. They have to have really good neck control to sit in it. My DS loves to sit up, so I'll put him in it when I'm getting ready-my DS was never that fond of his bouncer. Now we have the clip on toy tray so he plays with his toys while he sits it it.

MamatoJackson · April 2010

thanks!

nicki0916 · April 2010

I use it occasional just so DD can have a little variety. She really likes to sit up, and constantly tries to when I am holding her. I put her in it and read a story or watch a few minutes of Baby Einstien (I know the controversy surrounding tv, and DD maybe watches 15 minutes a week)

Alex17 · April 2010

My LO wasn't able to sit in it until just recently.

They have to be able to fully support their head.

We only use it for maybe 5-10 minutes at a time. Just to sit and "talk" to him in it.

nicki0916 · April 2010

Amrice78:
I wouldn't use one as they can delay gross motor skills and aren't great for their little spines. I'd stick with his bouncer.

I haven't heard this before. In fact, I heard the opposite. Do you know of any research supporting this? Not trying to be snarky/stir up controversy, but like any other baby item, it obviously should be used in moderation. I doubt a few minutes here and there can be damaging.

MrsRebecca · April 2010

I put DS in it recently since he is now able to hold his head up and has neck control. I don't really know how well I like it though. I put him in it and we read, sang songs, etc. I think I'd rather just hold him while we do all that though- or put him in his bouncy. He likes to kick his legs and laugh at songs but can't do that in the bumbo.

I know a lot of people who feed their kids in it so maybe we'll try it again in a few months.

murfygirl · April 2010

The other day I used it so DS could shower with me. LIke PPs said unless DS has good head control they wont like it.

Amrice78 · April 2010

nicki0916:
Amrice78:
I wouldn't use one as they can delay gross motor skills and aren't great for their little spines. I'd stick with his bouncer.

I haven't heard this before. In fact, I heard the opposite. Do you know of any research supporting this? Not trying to be snarky/stir up controversy, but like any other baby item, it obviously should be used in moderation. I doubt a few minutes here and there can be damaging.

I don't think a few minutes would be damaging either. My pedi was the one who advised against it. A lot of times a few minutes turns into 20, 30 etc. I don't have a problem with others using it (I don't think it's super dangerous) I just wouldn't use one and wouldn't advise others to use it. FWIW - both my kids had excellent head control from birth and loved to sit up - I am just more comfortable suggesting the bouncer than the bumbo.

nicki0916 · April 2010

Amrice78:
nicki0916:

Amrice78:
I wouldn't use one as they can delay gross motor skills and aren't great for their little spines. I'd stick with his bouncer.

I haven't heard this before. In fact, I heard the opposite. Do you know of any research supporting this? Not trying to be snarky/stir up controversy, but like any other baby item, it obviously should be used in moderation. I doubt a few minutes here and there can be damaging.

I don't think a few minutes would be damaging either. My pedi was the one who advised against it. A lot of times a few minutes turns into 20, 30 etc. I don't have a problem with others using it (I don't think it's super dangerous) I just wouldn't use one and wouldn't advise others to use it. FWIW - both my kids had excellent head control from birth and loved to sit up - I am just more comfortable suggesting the bouncer than the bumbo.

Thanks for the info! I will ask pedi about it at our next appt.

MamatoJackson · April 2010

DS is SO OVER sitting up, he wants to stand now and gets pissed if he can't. Looks like we need to get an Exersaucer instead of a Bumbo.

MrsRebecca · April 2010

MamatoJackson:
DS is SO OVER sitting up, he wants to stand now and gets pissed if he can't. Looks like we need to get an Exersaucer instead of a Bumbo.

Jack is the same way, he's always pushing up with his legs. When I put him down for tummy time he moves his arms and legs like he is trying to crawl. Riiiiight kid- you're 2 months old. You can't stand or crawl yet.

MIL got a free exersaucer for me but it's still at her house...maybe I should send DH to get it! Never thought to put him in that.

Amrice78 · April 2010

MamatoJackson:
DS is SO OVER sitting up, he wants to stand now and gets pissed if he can't. Looks like we need to get an Exersaucer instead of a Bumbo.

we put ds #1 in the excersaucer at about 3.5 months - he loved to stand too

outnumbered · April 2010

Amrice78:
nicki0916:
Amrice78:

I don't think a few minutes would be damaging either. My pedi was the one who advised against it. A lot of times a few minutes turns into 20, 30 etc. I don't have a problem with others using it (I don't think it's super dangerous) I just wouldn't use one and wouldn't advise others to use it. FWIW - both my kids had excellent head control from birth and loved to sit up - I am just more comfortable suggesting the bouncer than the bumbo.

ETA: I was interested so I just googled gross motor skills and the Bumbo. Most of the results encouraged the use of the Bumbo to develop core muscle strength. Of course moderation was advised.

That is still the fault of the parent if they leave the baby in it too long. None of my children would have tolerated more than 10 minutes in the Bumbo. In fact I tell people not to buy it because they loved the exersaucer and jumperoo much more. Once they had head control I would put them in it supported by towels.

grapeape73 · April 2010

We used the Bumbo for DD1. She loved it. When we first started cereal we would feed her in that. She also liked to sit on the kitchen floor in her bumbo with the tray and a toy with a suction cup on the bottom to stick to the tray. She would sit and giggle.

As for the "bad for your baby" thing. I think all baby items if overused are bad. If you leave your baby in a bouncer or excersauser for an hour then that is the parent's bad, not the bouncers.

Amrice78 · April 2010

I'm not trying to start an argument and I agree that it's the parents fault if it's overused, I'm just saying for ME I'm uncomfortable using one OR recommending one

Alexandra*sMom · April 2010

I would agree with the other gals that in moderation and supervised it can be a good tool. However, I do not think that it is worth $35 for the few months that you can use it. My girls were trying to flip out of it by 6 - 6.5 months when they were sitting alone unsupported.

cma1989 · April 2010

I got a hand me down one from a friend, I wouldn't have purchased one otherwise. DD likes it for about 5 minutes tops.

In regards to what PP said about the delaying of gross motor development skills, that's true with ALL baby gear toys if the child is in them too long.?

mrsfox1369 · April 2010

I just went out and bought one and I'm pretty happy with it right now.. could be that I searched 5 stores for it and finally found it lol. The only problem DD has with it is she also wants to stand and crawl.. she basically wants to move and the bumbo doesn't move lol. So she did get a little fussy after about 6 minutes when she realized she couldn't really move her legs. For a 2 month old she's a 4 months old size and she seemed awfully little in it.. but overall she was very content sitting up watching the dogs run around..

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