Last Updated On November 22nd, 2018
A baby bouncer is a fun accessory for babies that are not walking yet but have enough strength in their back and legs to remain upright while jumping and stretching. This baby accessory is a very popular item with parents of young children. They have been around for a long time, and most parents will at some time own one for their baby. Bouncers usually attach to a doorway with clamps or hooks to prevent baby from falling.
Are Baby Bouncers Safe?
Used under normal conditions this device can be relatively safe for small children when used under strict parental supervision and for small increments of time. Supervision is critically important when it comes to using any baby entertainment products. Accidents and injuries can happen in an instant and if the parent is not where they can visually monitor the child serious circumstances can arise unintentionally.
Another thing to consider is the fact that babies are still developing muscles in their back and legs that support their bodies. When children are left in bouncers for extended periods of time, their muscles will fatigue. When muscle fatigue occurs, there is the possibility for little ones to have injuries associated with losing the muscle control in their torso and hitting their heads and backs from weakness.
When securing the anchors to the doorway, something that you want to be very vigilant about is securely attaching the unit to the top of the entry way. Double check to see that it is not going to come free or will be able to be pulled down. There needs to be some sort of lip for the clamp or brace to attach to that will prevent the safety anchors from slipping. If it slips and falls on your baby, it can severely injure them.
Something that parents might not consider is the fact that small children can actually injure themselves by jumping around, and that is another reason that there needs to be close supervision while they are using a bouncer. Since a child’s muscles are not completely developed, they can be susceptible to injuries from activities such as jumping.
Conclusion
Bouncers are not necessarily dangerous if they are used properly with the appropriate level of supervision. It is important to note that they are not a substitution for a playpen where children can be left for extended periods of time. Any baby entertainment accessory is meant for limited use. Although it can be incredibly fun for baby, it should be limited to around hour total per day.
When used correctly this type of product can be a great way for your little one to help develop those leg and torso muscles as well as gain a better sense of balance. Developing legs and other body parts get a good workout when babies learn how to master jumping skills. As with anything you will be using to assist you with entertaining your child, please follow the directions carefully and remain with your little one while they are enjoying their new toy. When used properly they can be a safe product for your baby.