Bumbos - aside from the recall issue

NHRunner · August 2012

which from what I understand is basically people not following the warnings. do people like these things?

I didn't register for one but got one as a gift. I was thinking of returning it today as I have the gift receipt. But figured I'd ask if folks really like them?

kerbear135 · August 2012

I am a FTM, but I bought one. My mom works in the NICU and they use them for kids that are with them long term and can hold their heads up. She loves them, which is why I bought one when I found it at a consignment sale.

MomtobeNJ · August 2012

I have several friends and cousins who have one and love it. They say it's a great way for the baby to strengthen their back and neck muscles when learning to sit up. You just have to be careful not to put them in it too early, which would cause stress on these muscles and, I believe, is what leads them to tip over. But like you said, use some common sense and stay within arms reach of your infant, and that shouldn't happen anyway.

The only problem I've ever heard is that if the baby has really chunky thighs, they can't use it for more than a couple of weeks.

opaque1997 · August 2012

I'm a FTM but I had a four month old for 10 days last december (family emergency for best friend) and I used it a LOT for him. Thats when my love affair started.

My sis in law used it with my nephew for months and months (she would put him on the bath mat in the bathroom so he could sit and watch her shower).

The mentioned best friend above took it home and it used it for about 2 weeks until her son started throwing his head back and flipping. So you do have to fully watch your child and the chair success depends on the child. However - for kids who like to sit up and watch and play with toys and aren't into throwing themselves to the side or to the back forceably - it can be a great tool when used correctly.

I wouldn't pay the $40 for one - My "family" (close friends / parents / brother / etc) have 3 we pass around and each one was bought for $10 or less at consignments.

blueandgray · August 2012

My daughter never used it. She would lean sideways and twist her way out of it. Total waste in our house, she sat propped up in the Boppy with an extra pillow. Borrow from a friend if you can, I don't think you use it for a very long time.

MrandMrsPT · August 2012

I would return it, they aren't used for a long time

TrudyCampbell · August 2012

I like mine. I don't think there's really a problem with them, I think it's the people who are stupid enough to put them on elevated surfaces and walk away from their child. But, I ordered the free repair kit anyway. I use mine on the floor and sit with DD and read to her while she's in it. My pedi suggested we use it to help with neck control because she has a very large head.

CrazyToast · August 2012

Never needed one - I also think they're ugly and a waste of money.

MouseInLux · August 2012

I have one we were given as a hand me down and DD sat in it twice, she never liked it so it's just sitting gathering dust!

bobbs420 · August 2012

Some people love them, but I never had one and never really saw the need. Plus they are like $45 new! Seriously? If you want one, buy it used I say.

hmp1 · August 2012

We rarely used it. DS was sitting on his own between 4-5 months. I would just put the boppy around him and let him sit unassisted.

mbgreenwalt · August 2012

We were gifted one and the only time I ever used it was to take a few pictures of the girls we they wouldn't sit up on their own. I really find it useless. You have to sit with them on the floor when they are in it. If I am going to have a device for them to sit in I want to be able to step away and cook dinner or do the laundry (I use the exersaucer for this). Also, I always sat with them on my lap or helped them sit up while interacting rather than having them slumped in a seat.

aboynamedbarry · August 2012

i've been using mine for almost 4 months now. I wouldn't have bought one because they're so expensive, but i borrowed one from a friend and since bought my own at a yard sale for $5. can't beat that. anyways, my baby isn't super wiggly so it has been PERFECT for us. Even though she can sit up now on her own, I still use the thing while i'm cooking in the kitchen or folding laundry. it is basically one of the best baby accessories we have. oh, AND she has chunky thighs, a few pp's said that you can't use them long if they have chunky thighs, but I beg to differ. because of her thighs she is stuck in there lol and can't pop herself out

Moneypenny424 · August 2012

DD loves the Bumbo. She's been in it since she was 2 months old. She is obsessed with trying to sit up, so it has been a big hit in our house. FWIW, she has super-chunky thighs and can fit in it with little problem.

Moneypenny424 · August 2012

aboynamedbarry:
i've been using mine for almost 4 months now. I wouldn't have bought one because they're so expensive, but i borrowed one from a friend and since bought my own at a yard sale for $5. can't beat that. anyways, my baby isn't super wiggly so it has been PERFECT for us. Even though she can sit up now on her own, I still use the thing while i'm cooking in the kitchen or folding laundry. it is basically one of the best baby accessories we have. oh, AND she has chunky thighs, a few pp's said that you can't use them long if they have chunky thighs, but I beg to differ. because of her thighs she is stuck in there lol and can't pop herself out

Hee hee! I feel the same way about my little chunker!

bhdoucette · August 2012

My sister gave me hers, so we use it with DD. She loves to sit up, but can't do so for very long unsupported. That being said, if there's a different item(s) that you need/want and could put the funds towards it, I would. There are other ways to prop up a baby that cover a wider age/weight range.

sagoon · August 2012

We got less use out of ours than I would have liked. In the small window of time between my son being old enough to sit in it and his thighs getting too fat for it we would use it occasionally. If we wanted to keep him in one place we'd generally use the bouncer as he would get annoyed at being trapped in the Bumbo. If you've been gifted one though, I see no reason not to hold onto it. Your kid may turn out to be one of those that loves them.

denison2 · August 2012

They are really only useful for about 2 months for a typical baby. From about 4 months when they have good enough head and trunk control to hold themselves upright and until 6 months when they can sit by themselves and you don't need it. That and they will start trying to get out of it, even if they are strapped it. I've seen babies crawl with them attached to their butts.

The good thing is that they are durable- means that after you use it for 2 months, you can keep it for #2 or pass it along to another mom and it'll look almost brand new.

tina924 · August 2012

I love the bumbo and its whole concept. I actually bought this because it requires no straps if parents use it with common sense in mind. As soon as my son gets strapped into anything he HATES it. Yeah, it's 45 bucks, but you have to understand that all profits go to charity, so it's worth it. My boy loves his and I can see using it for a long time, since he's on the skinny side. He loves being able to sit up to play with me. He can't really do that during tummy time, which he hates so much.

mAnYaSha · August 2012

Return it for now, test it out when your LO is ready and then decide.

DS #1 hated it

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