A baby jumper is a type of baby activity that can either be bought in an activity centre style or a style that gets attached to a door frame and allows your baby to bounce away to their hearts desire.
They usually employ a bungee style system to allow baby to push off the floor with their legs and allows babies to get some much-needed exercise and fun play time.
Although you shouldn’t leave your baby unattended whilst they are in their baby jumper, they can be a handy tool in a parent’s arsenal to help with household chores or having a well-deserved cuppa.
Are Baby Jumpers Safe?
A little while ago we looked into whether baby swings are safe and in true Toddler Review fashion, we ask are baby jumpers safe?
All baby products come with a risk, but if not used correctly, used outside the manufacturer’s recommendations or unsupervised, can cause injury to a baby. But when used correctly and properly supervised a baby jumper is safe to use.
Different Types of Baby Jumper
There are several different types of baby jumper and not all of them will be suitable for your home. The activity style ones usually take up quite a large surface aware, and the door frame ones aren’t suitable for all doorframes and usually come with strict requirements.
Door Frame Baby Jumper
If you have a suitable doorframe, you can get yourself a door frame baby jumper such as the Baby Einstein Sea & Discover Door Jumper. It’s a handing seat which attaches to the top of a door frame through a bungee style cable. The baby’s weight is what holds it down so that when they push on the floor it bounces them up.
They are considered to be the least safe of all types of Jumper
Einstein also offer a hugely popular activity centre jumper which we have reviewed and can be read here.
Stationary Baby Jumper on a Frame
This type of jumper allows for your baby to sit in a seat and jumper with the springs suspended from the frame. These usually include toys or activities and the springs will be covered with fabric and are sometimes referred to as a Jumperoo.
The Fisher Price Roaring Rainforest Jumperoo is a great example of this type of baby jumper.
Baby Jumper a Trampoline Underneath
These types of baby jumper are great for smaller babies and normally offer an adjustable height setting for the trampoline part. They are harder to move around and more stationary but are less popular than the other styles.
The Costway Baby Activity Centre is the perfect example of this type of jumper and includes music, lights and games for your baby to play with.
When can my baby use a jumper
You can only use a baby jumper once your little one is able to hold their own head up and develop the fundamentals of head control.
What Age can a baby use a jumper?
Unlike a baby swing or bouncer, the earliest age that a baby can use a baby jumper will be around 3 months old. This is dependent on having full neck and head control. A baby will gain full head control at around 6 months old, so it is advised by almost all manufactures that you don’t use a baby jumper until your baby is 6 months old.
When to stop using a baby jumper
Not only can it be dangerous for your baby to use a baby jumper before the recommended age it’s also important to know when you should stop using it as prolonged use above the recommended age can cause its own set of problems.
There are three factors that will play into how long you can use your baby jumper, age, height and weight. To old and they won’t be interested, too tall and they won’t be able to bounce and to heavy could result in the toy breaking as well as not working correctly.
In general, your baby will need to stop using their jumper around the 12-month-old mark.
What are the Risks when using Baby Jumpers
Baby Jumpers, along with other toys are great fun for children but also have downsides that can be less than ideal.
The Seat Position & Fabric
The position of the seat on some of these jumpers, especially the cheaper ones, can cause a painful mark on the baby’s thighs. Prolonged use in this painful position can also lead to development issues such as hip dysplasia.
Suspended Door Frame Jumpers
Due to the way they work if your doorframes are narrow or your baby is particularly active, it’s very easy for them to swing rather dramatically and potentially hit their heads on the door frame.
If you fail to attach your jumper to the frame properly it can disconnect and drastically increase the chance of injury.
Head or Neck Injuries
These types of injury are the most common with jumpers due to the motion that the baby goes through when using it.
Leg Cramps
Excessive use of a baby jumper can lead to a baby standing more and using their leg muscles. This can lead to your baby developing muscle tightness or cramp in their legs which can be very painful for a little one.
Excessive Weight
These products aren’t designed to hold anything above the recommended weight so if you little one is using it and they weigh to much then it can easily cause breakages.
Also, if you have older children, they could be inclined to climb on the jumper as well which can easily break the unit.
Benefits of Baby Jumpers
Baby Jumpers offer a range of benefits that can be useful for parents.
Much needed break
Wanting to have 5 minutes to yourself without sharing a chair or both your arms with your baby isn’t being a bad parent. We are all guilty. A baby jumper is a great way to give you that well deserved break and make yourself a cup of tea or check your emails.
Great way to keep your baby active
Probably the greatest benefit that a baby jumper has to offer is that it’s a great way for a baby to get the exercise it needs to grow big and strong. The NHS mentions that its important to not let your baby spend more than 20 minutes a time using their jumpers, bouncers, walkers or seats.
