Are Jumpers Safe for Baby?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

29 Dec 2006 12:52 PM

Do you know what a jumper is? I'm not talking about a sweater or a pull over, but rather a device that is hung in the doorway that provides suspension for your infant to bounce and move around. Jumpers provide infants with vigorous exercise before they are able to be mobile themselves. But are these jumpers safe?

That's definitely the question.

The idea of a baby jumper is to let your little one bounce around happily, though they are limited only to bounce in the doorway where the jumper is suspended. There are some problems that you should be aware of before you elect to use a jumper for your baby. There are warnings from pediatric orthopedic specialists about potential injuries that can happen to the bones and joints of a baby using a jumper. So you want to consult with your pediatrician before setting your infant up in a jumper.

Babies Are Not Always Satisfied, Though

Remember, as excited as your baby may be by the jumper - they may grow frustrated with the fact that no matter how much they move, they are not going to leave the doorway that the jumper is suspended from. Also, you should never leave your baby unattended while sitting in a jumper nor should you allow your pets free access to them while they are secured in the jumper.

When you install the jumper, be sure that it is firmly seated and anchored. I've seen babies hurt when the suspension gave way or one of the hooks broke free from the mount they were placed in. I've also seen babies who were put in doorways too close to other items where they were able to hurt themselves as well. You should watch for loose tacks in the doorways where carpets may meet tile and other issues. If you've ever stepped on one of those loose nails, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Also, once your baby is able to move freely on their own - it's time to get rid of the jumper because they will struggle with being held in the canvas cradle. Finally, recognize that not every baby device will satisfy every baby. If they don't like the jumper - take them out of it and discard it as a device of entertainment. My daughter, for example, hated her walker with a raging passion, so we discarded it very quickly.

Have you ever used a jumper for your baby?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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