Can a baby spend too much time in a bouncer?

Ways to get your baby moving

• Lay your baby down on their back so they can kick their legs.
• Pulling, pushing, grasping and playing with other people are great ways to practise different kinds of movements.
• Once your baby has started crawling, let them crawl around the floor, but make sure it's safe first &#; see our crawling safety checklist.
• Playing outdoors helps your baby learn about their surroundings.
• You can take your baby swimming from a very young age &#; there's no need to wait until they've been vaccinated.

Better Health: Start for Life has more activity tips for babies

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Why tummy time is important

Tummy time is time your baby spends on their tummy when they are awake.

Tummy time is important for your baby's development as it helps to build the muscles your baby needs for sitting and crawling. You can start doing tummy time from birth by lying your baby on your chest &#; but only do this when you're wide awake and unlikely to fall asleep.

Little and often is best to begin with. Gradually increase the amount of time you do this day by day. Then, when your baby is ready, try doing tummy time on the floor. If your baby has difficulty lifting their head, you can roll up a towel and put it under their armpits. Put some toys nearby for them to reach out to.

Only do tummy time when your baby is awake and alert, and you're there to keep an eye on them.

Baby bouncers, walkers and seats

It's important that your baby does not spend too much time in:

• baby walkers or bouncers &#; these encourage babies to stand on their tiptoes and can delay walking if your baby uses them a lot
• baby carriers and seats &#; long periods in reclining carriers or seats, or seats that prop your baby in a sitting position, can delay your baby's ability to sit up on their own

If you do use a baby walker, bouncer or seat, it's best to use them for no more than 20 minutes at a time.

Physical activity for toddlers

Once your child is walking, they should be physically active for at least 180 minutes (3 hours) a day, spread throughout the day.

• Let your toddler walk with you rather than always using the buggy.
• Toddlers and young children love going to the park, where they can climb and swing or just run around.
• Toys your child can pick up and move around will help improve their co-ordination and develop the muscles in their arms and hands.
• Involve your toddler in household tasks like unpacking shopping, tidying or sorting washing.
• Teach your child songs with actions and encourage them to dance to music.

Watching TV or using a tablet for long periods &#; or being strapped into a buggy, car seat or highchair &#; is not good for young children.

If you need to make a long car journey, consider taking a break and getting your child out of their seat for a bit.

See physical activity guidelines for children under 5

Enjoy being active together

It's good to join in with your child's active play when you can. Have fun showing them how to do new things like running and hopping. Being active together shows your child that activity is enjoyable.

You're a role model for your child so stay active yourself and try to meet the physical activity guidelines for adults.

There may be activities for parents and children at your local leisure centre or Sure Start Children's Centre.

GOV.UK: contact your local council to find out about Sure Start Centres in England

Activity for young children with a disability

All babies and young children need to be active, including children with a long-term condition or disability, unless their health professionals give you different advice.

Just like other children, they will enjoy being active and it will help their development. You may need to adapt some activities to suit your child.

Contact: holidays, play and leisure for disabled children

Unicef: 10 playful activities for children with disabilities

Coping with a very active toddler

It can be exhausting keeping up with a toddler who is always on the go. It may help if you:

• keep to a daily routine &#; routine can help if your child is restless or difficult; it can also help you stay calm and cope with the strain
• dedicate time to your child &#; make sure there are times each day when you give them your full attention
• avoid difficult situations &#; for example, keep shopping trips short
• try to go out every day &#; go to a park, playground or other safe, open space where your child can run around and use up energy
• set small goals &#; help your child to sit still and concentrate for a very short time, perhaps on a book or new toy, then gradually build it up

Does my child have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

At times you may wonder if your non-stop toddler has ADHD. But only a small number of children in the UK have ADHD. It's more likely that your child is just a healthy, energetic toddler.

If you're worried about how active your child is, talk to a health visitor or GP.

Learn more about ADHD or visit The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service (ADSISS)

Video: how active should my child be? (6 to 30 months)

In this video, a health visitor talks about how much exercise your child should do.

Being a mother of six beautiful kids has taught me the holy grail of parenting, i.e. &#;moderation is the key.&#; Parenting isn&#;t just about getting your little ones all of new and fancy gadgets and toys, but in fact, the key lies in utilizing them wisely.

For this reason, moderation in the use of toys is very essential to ensure healthy and positive development in children.

And one of such items that you might have plenty of questions about is the baby bouncers. Often times, I&#;ve been asked questions like are bouncers bad for babies, how long can my baby stay in a bouncer, what are the signs on when to take a break from the bouncer, and if a baby sleeping in a bouncer is okay (it isn&#;t! But we&#;ll get to that). Let&#;s decode these puzzles today!

I&#;ve also highlighted some alternatives to using bouncers for too long, and why that is necessary.

How Long Can My Baby Stay In A Bouncer?

First-time parents often believe caregivers decide how long their babies can stay in bouncers. But no, parents and caregivers cannot decide that. 

At one point, your baby shouldn&#;t sit for longer than 20 minutes in a bouncer. Even pediatricians and child experts recommend this. There are reasons why, of course.

• The World Health Organization&#;s latest guidelines say that children under five need enough physical activity and stimulation. So, for infants and toddlers, it means more floor time, playing with parents and caregivers, and less time spent in baby containers like bouncers.

As per Dr Juana Willumsen, a WHO expert on childhood obesity and physical activity, &#;What we really need to do is bring back play for children. This is about making the shift from sedentary time to playtime while protecting sleep.&#;

And listen, baby bouncers are still an excellent choice if you&#;re looking after your little one by yourself. If you need to make a meal or do the laundry but don&#;t have enough space to set up a play mat, put your baby in a bouncer and keep an eye on it.

Kelleigh&#;s Quick Tip: Please use baby bouncers sparingly. Babies should not sit in a bouncer for more than 20 minutes at one point. So, use baby bouncers to take short breaks for chores or meals, and make sure your infant or toddler gets more free play time.

Are you interested in learning more about Commercial Electric Baby Bouncer? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

What are the Signs to Take a Break from the Bouncer?

Now, let&#;s talk about how to figure out when it&#;s time for the baby to take a break from using baby bouncers.

My advice? Just look and observe the cues and signs that your baby is going to give to you.

These signs are usually in the form of overstimulation. Too many sensations, loud noises, and multiple activities can trigger sensory overload in your child.

Let&#;s look at overstimulation in different stages of a child&#;s growth.

Signs of Overstimulation in Infants 

• Crying louder than usual is a tell-tale sign of overstimulation. If you&#;ve left your infant in a baby container like a jumper, bouncer, or swing for a long time, and they start crying, it&#;s time to pick them up.
• Refusing to nurse and not wanting to be held is another sign. So, give them some quiet time throughout the day and also limit the bouncer usage to 15 minutes max. 
• When your infant shakily moves around while strapped in a buggy or bouncer, it&#;s time to get off it and add some floor time or cuddle time.
• Your baby can also clench their fists and seem scared if they are stressed out. To solve this, create a calm and quiet environment for &#;mom and baby-time&#; and let your baby calm down naturally.

Also Read: Are Baby Jumpers Safe?

Signs of Overstimulation in Toddlers or Older Children

• When toddlers and children cry without explaining what&#;s wrong or bothering them, overstimulation can be one reason. Toddlers can also get clingy when stressed out. So, stay close to them when they&#;re crying or throwing a tantrum. It helps to reassure them.
• We know that toddlers and older children act out, refuse to listen, and can be aggressive. Just know that it may not always be a tantrum. Try to see if they are feeling overstimulated instead.

You know, from what I&#;ve experienced over the years with my children, I&#;ve learned that sometimes watching anything is entertainment for a baby. The toys are helpful as long as you don&#;t overdo them, as too many toy options can also make children feel overwhelmed.

But plenty of other times, I remember my kids being fascinated by the ceiling fan or the shadow from a lamp, and watching it for a long time. During these times, my husband and I simply prefer talking to them, and we give them toys only during specific hours during the day.

Can My Baby Sleep In A Bouncer?

No, folks! Baby bouncers are never safe for your child to sleep in, period.

They can pose a grave risk to the baby&#;s well-being and can result in fatal accidents. My pediatrician has advised me that using bouncers for sleeping can cause issues like:

1. Positional Asphyxia

This is dangerous. It so happens that a baby&#;s sleeping position can block the airway, where they literally can&#;t breathe.

• When you leave your baby in the bouncer unsupervised, their head can fall forward with the chin pressing down on their chest. This pressure may block the airway from the mouth and nose to the lungs. 
• Airway blocks can also happen if the mouth and nose are covered for an extended time. Sleeping in a bouncer increases this risk.

2. SIDS

When my baby is in a bouncer, swing, or car seat, I ensure I have eyes on them. Babies don&#;t have much head and neck control when they are younger. This can make their head flop forward, and leaving them unattended in these positions may very well lead to SIDS.

• From pediatricians, experts, and experienced parents, everyone will tell you that a firm and flat surface is the best place for a baby to sleep. And even then, it&#;s better to watch them from time to time, so they don&#;t flip around and accidentally cover their mouths or noses, blocking the airway.

As per Jenny Ward, the CEO of the Lullaby Trust, &#;Babies are the safest sleeping on their back on a clear, flat, firm sleep surface&#;.

You can occasionally use the bouncer to soothe (due to rhythmic movements of a bouncer) and put your baby to sleep. But once they&#;re asleep, transfer them to an ideal sleeping surface like a crib.

Recommended Reading: How to Get Your Baby to Sleep in Crib

Safe Alternatives To Extended Bouncer Use

&#;It feels like it was just yesterday when we brought our baby home from the hospital!&#;

If you&#;re a parent to a new baby, you must be thinking about this already. Sometimes, it is the only complaint that the parents have, surpassing concerns about sleep deprivation, exhaustion, or recovery from birth. However, this rapid growth often makes it difficult to rely on a single baby gear for long.

It&#;s also worth knowing more about baby bouncer age limits, including key milestones your baby needs to start using baby bouncers.

If you&#;re feeling the same way, don&#;t worry. You can use alternatives to baby bouncers for your little one. Here are some of my favorites:

Baby Gyms And Play matsInfant-To-Toddler RockersPack-And-PlaysPortabilityPortable and travel-friendlyTravel-friendly and easy-to-store&#; Travel-friendly 
&#; Multifunctional as a crib or changing stationSafe for Sleep Safe for babies to sleep inBabies should NOT sleep in rockersBabies or toddlers can sleep in pack-and-playsMaintenanceEasy to clean and sanitizeComparatively difficult to clean and maintainNeeds careful scrubbing, even when slightly dirtyAge Limit0 to 24 months&#; 0 to 6 months for regular infant rockers
&#; 0 to 3 years for infant-to-toddler rockers0 to 36 monthsBenefits&#; Adds variety to the child&#;s routine
&#; Frees you up for other chores&#; Helps to soothe a fussy baby
&#; Frees you up for short breaks&#; Keeps toddlers from wandering off
&#; Gives your arms a break

1. Baby Gym Or Play mat

Are you picturing cute babies in onesies lifting weights and doing bench presses? It cracks me up even thinking about it! But a baby gym or play mat isn&#;t anything like that. 

• A play mat is a flat surface made of foam or a padded mat for the baby. 
• A baby gym is usually a wooden arch with toys attached, music, and other textures. 

Credit &#; Ikea

I like to combine the two for a more engaging floor time for my baby.

Even though all play mats and baby gyms are newborn-friendly, I suggest using them from the third or fourth week. I was nervous to let Theo play on them initially. By his third week, my fears cooled off a little. He then used to enjoy his time in the baby gym.

2. Infant-To-Toddler Rocker

Credit &#; Amazon

Sawyer, my youngest daughter, used to love her little rocking chair. 

A baby rocker operates like an adult rocking chair but has a curved back, unlike a bouncer.

We knew that our babies would grow out of their toys quickly. Therefore, rather than buying a different gear every 4&#;6 months, we decided to invest in a rocker that can be used for both infants and toddlers.

3. Pack-And-Play

I understand that not all baby gear is for everyone. But we love a pack-and-play in our household. These travel-friendly, portable, baby-proof spaces can replicate a changing station, bassinet, or a small crib too.

Credit &#; Crate and Barrel

• A pack-and-play is an excellent option for transitioning your little one from the bouncer. When your baby grows and moves around more, a pack-and-play can help your baby explore the world safely. 
• Put them in the pack-and-play with their favorite toys, and you can watch over them while you do other things. But remember, never leave your baby alone, even when they&#;re in the pack-and-play.

Final Thoughts: Use Baby Bouncers Within Limits

A baby bouncer is excellent for entertaining your new baby. It lets them explore and experience the world from a new perspective. Furthermore, it allows you a few moments of freedom and mobility. 

But like I said, moderation is key. Let your baby enjoy the bouncer by putting them in at 15 to 20-minute intervals throughout the day. At other times, let them have free play time on the play mat with the baby gym. It is even better to take them out on little walks with you, talk to them, and introduce them to new sights and sounds.

And don&#;t wreck yourself with worry about the growth and development of your baby. Just continue to be attentive, loving, and caring. Everything else will gradually fall into place.

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