why i never recommend baby jumpers

[controversial post alert]

Before we even begin, I know this post will spark discussion and controversy. This is welcomed and encouraged! Everyone has different perspectives and opinions when it comes to infant development, and while I approach this from a decade of clinical expertise, I believe that parents know their baby best! So take in the info and make an informed decision that is right for you and your baby. Because as the PSA’s from the 90’s taught us…

What do we mean by jumpers?

Let’s make sure we are on the same page. By a baby jumper, I mean any type of equipment that suspends the baby in the air while they jump repetitively. Common types are Jolly Jumpers, Jumperoos or baby bouncers. In these devices, baby is supported by a harness either coming from a doorway or a play structure. They are common and have been used for a long time, so why am I so passionate about not using them?

Let’s look at this by deconstructing Jolly Jumper’s main claims to fame:

Muscle strength

While it may be true that baby jumpers increase leg strength, they also create weakness and asymmetries in other places. For example, core strength is frequently compromised because the harness does all the work and the core muscles aren’t active in this position. It also encourages tip toe standing and jumping, strengthening the calves but often creating tightness in the backs of the legs. One positive, but two strong negatives, and there are many other more age-appropriate ways baby can strengthen their legs.

Coordination

The type of coordination babies need to be working on at this stage of development is NOT jumping. At this stage, they should be working on reciprocal coordination for crawling and pivoting for mobility on the floor. Floor time is best for babies at this age to move, wiggle, and explore. In fact, kids don’t start jumping on their own until around 2 years of age, on average. This means their little joints and muscles are not ready yet for this type of repetitive force.

improve balance

In fact, prolonged time in jumpers makes balance much harder for babies when they start to learn to stand on the floor. Jumpers encourage tip toe standing, a habit that can be very hard to break. My caseload is full of toe walkers, who never outgrow this posture and it impacts their balance and walking pattern significantly. More on toe walking here.

Placing a young baby who isn’t developmentally ready for this complex, repetitive movement into a jumper can place unhealthy stress on their vulnerable bodies and joints.

[Video from Amazon]

Rhythm

In PT we often say, “movement is medicine”, and this is so true! While the jumpers do encourage movement, it is rigid and only in one direction. Babies need variety and fluidity of movement to stimulate their developing systems! They need to roll, swing, be rocked, spin, roll, etc. Jumpers don’t allow for a variety of movement patterns, in fact they restrict all other movements other than jumping.

let’s summarize:

So, I’ve put my own spin on what babies develop when using the Jolly Jumper. Prolonged and consistent use in these types of equipment can lead to **asymmetrical muscle activation**, it **restricts movement**, can result in inappropriate skill development and gross motor delays, and **limits exploration**, curiosity, and independence.

This presentation is commonly called **container baby syndrome** in the medical community. You can read more about it from the AAP blog here.

As with any type of baby equipment, remember to ensure proper fit and alignment, limit use and double up floor time, and supervise for safety. For more about other types of baby equipment, see this blog post!

TL;DR

Just say “no” to baby jumpers! ;)
Talk to your PT or book a Zoom consultation for individualized advice for your baby