When my daughter turned 4 months old, we were excited to get her a big, interactive toy. On the advice of family’s advice, we purchased a jumperoo online. When it arrived, it was overwhelming. Most of the time my daughter spent flailing about in tears and frustration. My daughter was constantly irritated that she could not hold the blue elephant and usually, the catchy music only entertained her for so long.

Why are jumperoos harmful?

According to the Children’s Hospital of San Diego, “Baby jumpers…promote movement patterns that are not useful in normal development including tiptoe standing and fast uncontrolled movements. The exercise that your baby gets does not promote the development of trunk and leg control or the balance needed for walking. Additionally, it may limit time your baby spends on his tummy developing the valuable skills for crawling.”

Could all of the time my daughter spent in her jumperoo have caused her to be a late crawler? Look anything up about the harm a jumperoo could cause and you will see things about hip displacement, spinal problems, and other issues. Babies should not spend long, extended periods of time in jumperoos.

Failure to follow the instruction manual closely can also be a danger to baby. Baby’s feet should not dangle, but instead should just be touching the floor. Babies should not use jumperoos without having proper head control, either. When I looked up my daughter’s jumperoo online, it showed the age range for 1 month and up. I can’t imagine putting an infant that small in a jumperoo. My daughter wasn’t ready for hers at 4 months of age.

Be Smart and Make Your Choice

If you do decide to let your baby use a jumperoo, remember to use good common sense. A baby should not be left unattended in toys like this. If you’re looking for a way to keep baby happy while you do chores, eat, or just get a break, try baby wearing. A good baby carrier costs less than most of these things anyway, and you’ll get a lot more use out of it.

It’s always wise to also discuss any concerns you have with your pediatrician. With any toy, do your research and make the decision that is best for you and your family. I do know that I will hesitate before putting my next child in one, knowing what I know now.

Karyn Meyerhoff lives and writes in Northeast Indiana. She loves new toys that entertain her daughter, but she also enjoys learning things she didn’t know about them.