Exersaucer/Walkers

[C99]

I was reading the 5th edition of the Fields' book and noticed that they don't recommend these items and flat-out tell you not to buy them. They quote some alarming studies that say that your child will be developmentally delayed if you use one or both of these items. That seems pretty alarmist to me. We have the Evenflo Exersaucer on loan from a friend and Nate absolutely loves it. He's in it for no more than an hour (2x 20 minutes) a day, but I am concerned about the Fields' recommendations. Anyway, everyone here seems to have some sage advice on the issue of baby safety and development. Please tell me that the our current use of the exersaucer won't cause such problems!

[peanut4us]

Well, I posted below how much my DD likes hers, so you know I took their opinion with a grain of salt. I read in Burton White's book The First Three Years that the use of walkers/exersaucers is advised or door jumpers or whatever it is that your child is interested in that increased their leg strength. I think there have been a few discussions lately that have said to put your baby in it for about 15-20 minutes at a time about 4 times a day.

I think if you feel good about it, do it. If you don't, don't. If you're not sure, then ask your ped at your next appt.

[Momof3Labs]

Caroline, developmental delays are always possible, but I wouldn't say that they are likely or we would see more warnings about these things. I mean, it's not like there is a whole generation of kids who are walking extremely late.

Our personal experience - Colin used the exersaucer daily for about 45 minutes or so total (2-3 sessions) from 3.5 months until 7.5-8 months. He was crawling and pulling up by 6.5 months, and has taken his first tentative step already. If the saucer slowed him down, I'd hate to see what he would have done without it!

The important thing, IMO, is not only moderation, but using the saucer in combination with other activities. Don't abandon tummy time and time playing on the floor, for example. I'm sure that Nate will be fine!

[memedee]

Did you use it before he could sit or was Colin sitting at 3.5 months old?
Thanks

[mamahill]

LOL - We didn't have an exersaucer/walker and Ainsleigh walked later than a lot of babies here. We did have a doorway jumper she occasionally used. If he's happy in it, then I say continue with what you're doing. I know plenty of people here who have them and their babies developed fine (if not early!). I would have got one if we had room.

[Marisa6826]

Caroline-

There have been several recent threads about this. Some of them I posted myself.

We have the Portable Fun Ultrasaucer and the Graco Doorway Jumper. Sophie's never in them for more than 20 minutes tops (she just gets bored!).

To echo the others, it's really all about moderation and what you feel is appropriate for your child. I asked my ped about the delays and he said there isn't anything significant that will happen unless you park your kid for the entire day. And if you're doing that, you frankly have some other serious issues to consider! :)

The only thing that I would stay away from is a walker. They're dangerous and there are so many other more appropriate options.

As much as I agree with a lot of the Fields' recommendations, I don't think that they're always right (sorry Denise and Alan!!).

-m

[mharling]

We've been taking an infant massage class with a pediatric physical therapist. She also recommended against exersaucers and doorway jumpers; something about incorrect use of babies' muscles.

I haven't made up my mind yet on this one. It's certainly possible that we will have an exersaucer, but of course, it would be used in moderation as others have pointed out.

Mary & Lane 4/6/03
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b3237413c427 - New 6/18

[Momof3Labs]

Colin was not sitting at 3.5 months old, but he had excellent upper body control. He could support himself in the saucer with a blanket tucked behind him. I'm going to try to attach a picture of him in his saucer at 15 weeks... Hope that this works...

http://images.snapfish.com/337%3B%3A%3A%3A%3B23232%7Ffp6%3B%3Dot%3E2327%3D%3A 25%3D627%3Dxroqdf%3E232336774%3B8%3B8ot1lsi

Of course, we supervised him very, very closely (sitting beside the saucer the whole time) when he was this young, but he did very well in it and loved it!!

Darn - I can't figure out how to insert an image. Hopefully you can view this link!

[Karenn]

That's so funny! I have a friend who's also a pediatric physical therapist and she told me that she thought exersaucers and jumpers were fine and uses them with her baby! It's impossible to get a straight answer on anything, isn't it? Sometimes I really do envy my friends who are able to ignore all of the current recommendations and research and just go with their gut!

[memedee]

So darn cute!
I guess I will get out the exersaucer.

[mharling]

Crazy!! And it just supports the idea that we need to gather the information we want and do with it what we wish!

Mary & Lane 4/6/03
http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b3237413c427 - New 6/18

[caroliner]

Caroline had and used both an exersaucer and doorway jumper. We started with the saucer around 4 months and the jumper around 5 1/2 months... I cannot imagine either slowed her down... she crawled and stood at 8 3/4 months and walked at 10 3/4 months... My sister's little one has used the saucer since before 4 months and also had a jumper.. she's taking steps now at 9 months! Maybe if you used it all day every day it would be a problem, but most things are just fine in moderation, and we really enjoyed both items.

[dogmom]

The recommendation I got from a pediatric clinical nurse specialist I work with was no to walkers, to many emergency room visits, and a reserved yes to exersaucer. One of the problems is that it encourages "tip toe walking" which developes the muscles incorrectly. She told me to put it in the lowest setting and make sure his legs were bent. When he first started around 4 months I had to put a pillow in the bottom to get the right effect. I still keep it in the lowest position now, and he stands up sometimes flat-footed. I will say it certainly has helped him develope his hand-eye coordination by reaching for those toys.