Jumpers are sold in almost any conventional store with baby gear, but they can be a risky addition to your home and are behind many head injuries in babies. Pediatric experts generally advise against them due to this risk of injury, but also because they are not beneficial, and potentially harmful, to baby’s overall physical development.
Jumpers come in a few different variations – some are more stationary, in which baby sits inside a seat suspended by springs that allow them to bounce up and down. Others can be installed in a doorway frame, where a spring from above allows baby to hop around. Doorway jumpers tend to be more risky than stationary versions, and injuries with these can happen when baby:
Jumps side to side, hitting a wall or door frame
Swings too hard and falls out of the front
Falls to the ground due to the swing installation itself being too weak and collapsing
Falls or hits a wall as a result of a sibling accidentally pushing baby too hard inside of it
Jumpers can also be harmful when used before six months of age when many babies are still developing strong head, neck, and trunk control. If you introduce a jumper, it’s best to wait until at least six months old. But, it’s safe to say that a jumper is by no means a “must have,” and there are simpler, safer ways to promote movement without all the hip and joint stress of jumping.
Floor play and tummy time really are enough entertainment!