Baby Jumpers
A Physical Therapist’s Perspective
Baby jumpers, which allow infants to bounce up and down with the help of a spring harness, seem like a fun way to keep your baby occupied. However, many pediatric experts agree that the risks outweigh the benefits. It's common for parents to wonder if baby jumpers are a good choice for their baby. With so many products on the market promising to entertain and engage infants, it's helpful to understand the benefits and potential drawbacks of each.
Limited Research on Baby Jumpers
There is not as much research on baby jumpers as there is on walkers. Therefore, pediatric physical therapists often make inferences about jumpers based on the findings from research done on baby walkers, combined with our knowledge of infant biomechanics, the development of gross motor skills, and our clinical experience.
My Professional Take on Baby Jumpers
Jumpers don’t benefit your baby’s development of skills like crawling or walking. They don’t strengthen your baby’s legs, carry a significant risk for injury, and are associated with toe walking. The purpose they serve is entertainment and containment.
Instead of buying a jumper, I would get a playpen to create a safe “yes” space for free play and movement.
Lack of Gross Motor Development Benefits
Baby jumpers might appear to be a fun way for your baby to exercise, but they do not support the natural progression of gross motor skills. Here’s why:
Limited Skill Building for Crawling and Walking: Jumping in a jumper doesn’t contribute to skills like balance, coordination, and spatial awareness that are developed through free movement on the floor. Time spent in a jumper means time not spent moving freely on the floor developing motor skills like crawling and walking.
Misconceptions About Strengthening Leg Muscles: The amount of force that your baby generates through their legs is dependent on how springy the spring is. Some bouncers are very springy, which means the baby does not need to exert much effort. That means there isn’t much leg strengthening happening.
Potential for Muscle Imbalance and Toe Walking
The jumper harness provides support under the baby’s pelvis and around the trunk. This means that the baby does not need to rely on their trunk or glute muscles. They are mostly pushing off with their toes. This repetitive movement puts the baby at risk for tight Achilles heel tendons and may result in an increased risk for the development of toe walking.
Safety Risks
There are safety concerns to consider. Using a baby jumper poses risks of injury to infants, including potential falls, collisions with objects, and strain on muscles and joints due to the repetitive bouncing motion.
An Alternative That Promotes Gross Motor Development
Instead of using a jumper, I suggest considering a playpen to create a safe “yes” space for free play and movement. Floor time is how babies develop motor skills like crawling, standing, and walking.
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P.S. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for skilled physical therapy intervention. While I am a physical therapist, I am not your child's physical therapist. If you have questions or concerns about your child's health and/or development, please contact your pediatrician.
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