Thoughts on bumbos - Page 3

[Happiestever]

I had one of those for ds that I used for a couple of months. It was great for his first foods. But eh, they're way overpriced.

[Megan73]

Originally Posted by mamadebug

I did some reading about this that resonated with me (I think the article was form a chiropractor) - it basically said that if children (babies) can't hold themselves in a certain position naturally (sitting in this case), then it means they don't have the balance, muscle strength, coordination, etc and they shouldn't be artificially placed in that position. Their little bodies just aren't ready to do it yet. Part of the learning process for babies is that they have the motivation to keep trying to sit up (or roll over or stand up or whatever....) and that they need to practice these skills as an important part of their physical development. If someone always sits them up in a Bumbo seat, then it's all kind of done for them, possibly at too early an age than their body is ready for. When explained that way, it really made sense to me.

Interesting! This makes sense to me, too. I got one used because everyone raved about it but I found it basically useless. Babies shouldn't be getting solids until they can sit up on their own, anyway, and they can only safely be used on the floor.
Honestly, none of the baby-holding devices we bought or were gifted - swing, bouncy chair, Bumbo - turned out to be useful other than a ring sling and an Ergo.

[november]

I received one as a shower gift (bumbo+tray). I've used it twice...for about five seconds. Something about it just rubs me the wrong way--it just seems un-natural. Not to mention her thighs are too chubby and it gets "stuck" to her when I try to pull her out, LOL.

[mrsdocmartin]

DH is a chiropractor and thinks they are a bad idea. He feels that a baby isn't developmentally ready to sit at that age and that it isn't good for hip development.

[Ldavis24]

I actually made a thread about this some time ago on the boards here. I was considering buying one and actually did get it off craigslist for 20 bucks because they are way too expensive new imo.

I loved it for about 1 month, I would put it up on the table with it's back against the wall. I know you aren't supposed to do it but I was literally always in front of DD because that is where I prepared dinner so no big deal..

The day I got rid of it was the day I had it next to the sink (backed into a corner so it couldn't flip) and turned around and looked back and DD was falling head first into the sink having figured out how to crawl out of the thing She wasn't hurt but it scared the crap out of me and then it was goodbye bumbo.
Not a necessary item at all but convenient for about a month before baby gets to big or strong to stay in it.

[Plarka]

Originally Posted by mama2myangels07

i bought one for my 6 month old dd, because she desperately wants to sit up, but doesn't have the balance yet and sometimes I can't hold her ALL the time! She sits in it for 5-10 mins at a time.

Exactly what we used ours for with dd1. I still have it and will see if dd2 likes it for the same reason.

[ShadowMoon]

DS had one and used it for several months. It was helpful at meal times or when he just wanted to chill with us. It's since turned into a gymnastics toy of sorts now that he's 3 .

[Conifer]

We've had one since Christmas and DS never uses it. He looked really uncomfortable and would just sit there and frown like "why did you put me in here" kinda look. It's currently in the yard sale pile

[paranoidprego]

this is my 3rd baby and i was always against the Bumbo. my lo got one for Easter and we love it! its great for when i need to shower. she will just sit and chew on her toy. she started sitting up a few weeks ago at 4 mos, so i don't think it hindered her development at all.
i'm glad we got this as a gift. i also believe all things in moderation. i wear my baby throughout most of the day, so i don't feel bad putting her in it.

[SaraMum]

I love to hate them, I agree with PPs that it puts them in an unnatural position. If they're not ready to sit, don't force it! I can see it being convenient once your baby is actually able to sit by themselves but by then they are getting to close to the stage where they could just get out.

[MEcatlady17]

I have to say that pre-baby I thought they were ridiculous and unnecessary. My profession is in child development so I am very wary of baby contraptions and containers and how easily they are overused and misused by the general public. I have a huge pet peeve with tiny babies in seats and play equipment they are not ready for (leaving them in terrible posture). Then I gave birth to a tall, skinny, and super strong baby. I wear her and give her floor time. The only baby 'containers' as I like to call them that she uses are the car seat when driving and occasionally when out to eat to give her a clean place to be while we eat and she often naps in her swing. She has had excellent head control from the get go and by 2.5 months wanted to be sitting straight up all the time. If you sit her even slightly reclined she grunts and groans and crunches herself to sitting. It is adorable, but it made playtime difficult because she was unsatisfied sitting in a reclined position and I couldn't get good face to face play while supporting her sitting. I broke down and bought the ridiculously overpriced bumbo (no one had one for me to borrow and I couldn't find one used) and don't regret it. Sometimes she sits in it while we cook and eat (oh ya, that's right, I said it...she sits in her bumbo on an elevated surface We would never leave her on the edge of a counter or absolutely not unsupervised and we will not do this once she can even remotely move herself in a way that could get her out of the seat...and yes I know all about the recalls and the warning label...but there are a lot of warnings on every product to protect companies for people's lack of common sense.)

I also occasionally use it at MIL's because her house is very dirty and unsanitary (as in animal feces) and I don't let her lay on the floor there even on a blanket.

Like any piece of baby gear it should not be used long periods of time or unsupervised...this should go without saying. I also think it is much less unnatural than say, an exersaucer or jumper which tends to be used way too young and dangles babies from the pelvis. At least the bumbo allows them to sit in a more ergo friendly position with the bum lower than her legs. My DD isn't chunky so she can still wiggle and isn't squeezed too tightly in the bumbo and I think that makes a difference. The argument that if they can't support themselves in a position than it is bad for them doesn't completely hold water for me. When holding out babies in our laps we support them sitting, standing, etc all the time. Using a bumbo for short and reasonable amounts of time isn't different from that unless they don't fit in it or aren't ready to support their own head. I think she will be sitting unsupported soon and then the bumbo will be unnecessary. Definitely an expensive product with a short lifespan.