walkers/excersaucers/jumpers etc-- Help or hurt motor development?

[texmati]

We are just moving out of the baby stage with DS1, and I'm due with DD2 any day now.

My understanding was that excersaucers, jumpers and walkers were bad... that they didn't allow kids to see their feet and slowed walking/crawling development.

I never used one for my son... (and he is a late, late, walker), and now I'm wondering if I made a mistake.

[chel]

used walker with dd1 and she was a great walker at 9m.  used an excer thing for about a month with dd2 and she started walking at 12m.

for me it was just a place to put the kid when they outgrew the bouncy seat and i was unable to hold them

dd2 pt said they were bad

[WifeofAnt]

Everything I've heard was that they are bad for their hips and back.  Its probably not going to do damage if they're only in it for 10-20 minutes if you just need a break but its not a good idea to leave them in for hours every day.

[FloridaBorn]

I have a hand-me-down jumper thing that goes in the doorway.  My daughter loves it!!  I let her play in it for 15-20 minutes once or twice a day.  It's really handy when I'm cooking or working in the kitchen when wearing her might not be safest.

[akind1]

like anything, so long as it isn't used to excess I think it would be fine. DS walked a week after his first birthday and hit all other motor milestones on time. We had an excersaucer and a floor jumperoo, and 15-20 minutes was about all he could take, he preferred freedom on the floor. I don't think you do any harm by not having one.

[plantnerd]

Ds loved his jumper, and we are still using the exersaucer as containment at 13 months.  I don't see that they help or hurt, they're just fun toys and places for baby to hang out and have their own time for a little bit.  Son was right on schedule crawling at 7 months and walking at 12.