Bumbo Seat and Safety Concerns

[kusumat]

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=7on_your_side&id=5664881

[SnuggleBuggles]

That supports my thinking all along on these products.

Isn't it common sense that you would use these only on the floor, like a bouncy seat or car seat? To me it is but I see people prop those things up on high surfaces all the time. Fine, if there is going to be someone sitting there with a hand poised the whole time ready to intervene then that's a bit better (well, not really, imo) but how often does that happen? It's just so dangerous. Sorry, I'll get off my soap box. I am sure there are plenty of people who use products like this on raised surfaces and never have any trouble. Still worries the heck out of me. I know how squirmy ds was so even if it had buckles it wouldn't be safe, imo.

I also just think that babies develop in the sequence they do for a reason and that they just aren't meant to be sitting up like that so young. It's dif't to me if they were just sitting in a parent's lap here and there but I fear that something like a Bumbo could be overused and that wouldn't be good for their little bodies. I admit that this is just a gut feeling with no research to back it up. :)

Beth

[MeAndMyStar]

Wow, that is scary. I forwarded the artice to my friend who just got a Bumbo. Not that I see her leaving him unattended on a table in it...

[JoyNChrist]

I agree that it's scary, but I really think you have to use common sense with things like this.

I love our Bumbo. I've mainly used it for going out to eat in recent months when DS couldn't sit up in a high chair by himself, but was too wiggly to lay on the seat beside me and too hard to hold (cuz his hands were in my food, lol). I would sit the Bumbo on the bench seat beside me and sit DS in it with a toy. I was right there the whole time, and I really don't think he could have fallen. But I would never, ever leave him alone in it, especially not on a raised surface.

I have put DS on raised surfaces in it. For example, I don't like the high chairs at most restaurants, so I bring the Bumbo, sit it on the table, and feed DS his baby food while we wait for our meal. When he's finished eating, I put the Bumbo back on the bench seat or a chair right beside me.

I think it's just a common sense sort of thing - it doesn't have straps, so there's always a chance your baby could fall or wiggle out. Parents just have to be vigilant. Like almost any product, it can be very helpful, but it can also be misused.

JMHO

ETA - I was just thinking about it, and I don't know how anyone can say they think it's okay to leave your child unattended in the Bumbo on a high surface. I mean, infant car seats have all kinds of warnings about not leaving your child in it on any surface other than the floor, and they have straps. Obviously, the Bumbo isn't safe for that sort of thing. But the company does need to stress this fact. I didn't read all the inserts that came with mine, so I don't know if they do or not. But if not, I bet they will now, thanks to the lawsuit.

[maestramommy]

Okay, guilty as charge, eek!

We didn't have this with Dora, but I got one off Craigslist for Arwyn. She was already able to sit up in my lap, and seemed to like that posture better. I confess I put her on the kitchen table so she can see me feeding Dora, or on the kitchen counter so she can see me cooking. But I see that while she isn't popping herself out like the way described in the article, she is kinda doing it sideways. One foot pushes down and she leans over to the side. She is also leaning forward to suck on the middle prong. Hmmm, I need to stop putting her on surfaces. Why did I get that think in the first place? Because it was portable and didn't take as much space as her bouncer, which she didn't like in the beginning. I think we'll go back to that soon.

[gatorsmom]

ITA with everything you said. I considered getting this for when the twins arrive but I'd never put this up on a counter or tabletop. The problem is, that I could see DH doing it or a babysitter. So I just decided not to get it. Too risky.

Besides, like you said, is that position good for their little developing bodies?

Lisa
mom to Gator July 2003
and Cha-Cha July 2005
and surprise! twins due 11/07!