Infant jumpers can be a great help for today’s parents trying to get things done, but specialists worry they might cause more damage than benefit.
Experts specializing in early childhood development caution that popular items like bouncers, jumpers, and even car seats might hinder infants' growth as they spend excessive time in these devices.
They assert that these factors might hinder babies' attempts to learn walking and could also raise the likelihood of weight gain.
They've even coined a term for this condition: 'Container baby syndrome.'
Experts indicate that infants are frequently kept in doorway bouncers, floor seats, and activity centers for extended periods.
Being confined to pushchairs and car seats for extended periods can also impede infants' development of physical abilities, she notes. Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
NHS England recommends that parents limit the use of bouncers to less than 20 minutes, since these devices prompt babies to stand on their toes prematurely and may hinder the development of walking skills.
The guidance from NHS pediatric specialists in Birmingham, offered through the early years support program Startwell, offers a more comprehensive warning about 'container baby syndrome.'
'Parents nowadays encounter numerous types of equipment for infants, including baby bouncers, jumpers, door bouncers, strollers, car seats, play pens, high chairs, infant swings, and chairs.'
'It seems we're overlooking the significance and intent behind tummy time, floor-based play, open spaces for movement, and standing activities, along with their advantages.Containers serve only to restrict children’s movements.'
According to Startwell, baby bouncers intended for infants who cannot yet sit unassisted prevent children from developing the necessary core strength and limb muscles required for crawling.
Socks with grips, doormen, and strollers may prompt toddlers to walk on their toes, potentially resulting in persistent toe-walking and impairing proper locomotion—thus delaying walking skills. Additionally, floor chairs might impede infants from learning to sit independently, according to specialists.
Claire Hamilton, the early years lead at Startwell and author of this guidance, stated: "Many parents use bouncers and jumpers to engage their kids and prevent them from moving towards hazardous areas as they go about their chores around the house."
These items are created for convenience, yet they are excessively used, and individuals remain unaware of the potential dangers.
There are numerous delays in children's development due to their lack of experience with weight-bearing activities or learning how to move, walk, and navigate stairs.
Concerns have been raised regarding keeping toddlers for extended periods in car seats and strollers, which are intended for infants who cannot yet walk. Experts recommend phasing these out by the time a child reaches three years old unless they have specific medical requirements.
Mrs. Hamilton stated, "Now we have strollers meant for kids up until they reach seven years old. This turns them into passive observers instead of active participants in their learning."
We observe that children grow less physically capable due to lack of muscular development, concurrently facing an increased likelihood of becoming obese.
We aim for parents to have days when they leave the stroller at home.
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