Are Baby Jumpers Safe? The Truth About Baby Jumpers
As a mother, I have been very particular about my baby’s physical and sensory growth.
One thing that I was really excited about was seeing all of my little ones walking for the first time.
And one of my co-workers recommended trying using a baby jumper to help with the walking abilities of my children (which I did for my son, Theo).
However, before putting him in the jumper, I learned about the essentials and safety tips.
As parents, we are just as excited as our kids when we introduce them to new playthings. We can’t wait to see our children hopping through bouncers or jumpers. Thinking about the day I got my little one his jumper, he was over the moon. Since then, he has been very fond of it.
I told my mom that Theo loves his jumper, and she wanted to know if baby jumpers are safe for newborns and toddlers. That’s a valid question. So, I thought I’d take some time to answer those questions and detail the safety features of baby jumpers, possible risks, and tips to keep your child safe when they play on the jumper.
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Are Baby Jumpers Safe?
Before getting my baby his first jumper, I had the same question. I have had my struggles figuring out whether I am doing the right thing or not. But guess what – getting a jumper was the best decision I could ever make.
And they are safe for your baby when used the right way.
As I learned more about baby jumpers, I realized that they bring benefits to my baby’s development when used safely:
- Helps Develop Pre-Motor Skills – My baby started loving his time in the jumper. While bouncing, he began to identify physical movements and learned to use the lower half of his body better to balance himself.
- Time for Yourself – No doubt, parenting is a full-time job. And we parents deserve a break as well. After introducing a jumper to my baby, I started having a few minutes of the day to take a break and relax while he kept playing through.
- Keeps Them Occupied – I have noticed that a jumper is an excellent choice to lift my child’s mood. After getting a jumper, he has been less cranky, gets occupied quicker, and has been exploring the home quite well.
If your jumper has toys and music built into it, your baby can also use them to improve hand-eye coordination and develop their hearing senses!
Also Read: Are Baby Walkers Safe?
Safety Features in Baby Jumpers
I am very detail-oriented when it comes to my child’s safety. Before buying one, I went through the safety features of baby jumpers, and I have penned down a few for your reference. Take a look:
- 360 Rotation: I made sure my baby’s jumper had a 360-degree rotation abilities. It allows for movement, and your child can play freely in the jumper. Likewise, I also made sure that my baby’s weight was ideal enough to fit in the jumper.
- Adjustments: Jumpers come with various harnesses and safety straps. I ensured that those fit well to my baby’s size. Please check the straps and harnesses before buying a jumper. They must fit well and not cause any kind of discomfort.
- Durability: It is vital to ensure your child’s jumper is highly durable. I checked on whether my child was seated well and that he was not uncomfortable. Similarly, I chose a soft fabric with quality cushioning so no pinching or grazing will affect my baby.
So, yes, the better the features of a jumper, the more your baby will have a good time. Baby jumpers equipped with the finest features can last longer, protect your little one’s spine, and reduce the risks of your baby falling off.
How Can You Keep A Jumper Safe For Your Child?
I know that parents are very anxious when buying any play tool for their children. They look through the consequences, advantages, and so on. And rightly so!
Your baby’s safety is what matters. So, if you are looking for baby jumper safety tips, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered:
- Choosing the Right Jumper: Baby jumpers come in different shapes and sizes. Choosing a jumper suitable for your baby’s weight is highly important. Those jumpers with inappropriate sizes may lead to safety issues.
- Regular Inspection: Please keep in mind that a jumper requires monitoring and maintenance now and then. So, I regularly check the straps and the seat and repair any damages in the jumper to keep my little one safe.
- Uncompromised Attentiveness: As a parent, I can relate to you. We certainly need a break after a long day. Once I place my baby in his jumper, I sit in peace, at least for a while. BUT I do not leave my baby unattended. I do not compromise my attention on him.
- Time Limits: Experts and experienced moms all recommend that you set a time frame for your baby to use the jumper. It does not help to keep them in it for too long. Excessive use can cause issues in hip development, so, use the jumper for a maximum of two-three times a day for only 10–20 minutes over one session.
- Keep an Eye on Placement: Placing your baby in a jumper correctly is critical. Their hips must be secure on the cushion, and keep checking on them once your baby starts bouncing so they are not sitting cramped up or uneasy.
- Avoid Accidental Injuries: It is necessary to keep sharp or pointed objects out of the range of baby jumpers. There are high chances of an accident that may lead to a head injury to your child.
Are Baby Jumpers Safe for Newborns?
Parenting is a roller coaster experience packed with many questions, and I get this one a lot.
My answer to the same is a big NO. I know it might sound quite direct, but bear with me a little, so I can provide you with more clarity on why I don’t recommend a jumper for newborns. Take a look below:
- Head and Neck Control – Babies must have developed head control before starting with a jumper. Newborns do not have control over their heads and neck. It worsens the case if you place them in a jumper. Your child may end up hurting themselves!
- Required Weight – Babies must reach a required weight to use the jumpers. And most babies reach that weight only after five months or so.
Your newborn may also be stuck with compromised muscle development if placed in a jumper at a tender age. Babies younger than 5–6 months old should NOT be put in a jumper.
Do Baby Jumpers Have Risks?
When you use a jumper for too long, there are potential risks and side effects. Here are a few risks you should keep in mind:
- Compromised Core Strength: Please keep an eye on your child while they are using a jumper. There are times when jumpers impact the development of muscles, especially when used for too long. It might affect their core strength, leading to the tightening of leg muscles.
- Hip Dysplasia: My friend, who is a pediatrician, told me about a medical condition called hip dysplasia (DDH) which is the partial or complete dislocation of hip joints that can occur when you use baby jumpers for too long. So, please stick to the time frame and provide comfortable seating and optimum support for your child.
- Impacted Balancing Pattern: Using baby jumpers for too long can increase tip-toe standing since the calf muscles tighten up. Over the long term, it can affect balancing and walking patterns. So, monitoring the time limit is the key.
One last thing. Please do not feed your baby or let them sleep while they are in the jumper. It’s just an accident waiting to happen, increasing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Recommended Reading: Top Alternatives to Baby Walkers
Takeaway on Baby Jumpers
Therefore, by now, you might know more about baby jumper essentials than you initially started with. You can probably stop questioning yourselves if baby jumpers are safe.
Keep track of the time and let your child bounce happily on a jumper. These tools are very entertaining and, if used in moderation, can do wonders for your child’s development.
I know that as parents, we tend to get very concerned before buying anything for our little one, but trust me, be aware of the safety tips and there you go – you will do great.
If any questions persist, do not hesitate to ask your doctor.