Exersausers and Bowleggedness?

**Crystal** · 10-20-2011, 07:42 AM

Yes, that can hppen. Because babies bones are still very soft and flexible, they can form to whatever shape they are regularly positioned in.

Here in Cali we cannot use exersaucers at all because it can affect physical development.

I say if mom doesn't want him in, then he shouldn't be in it.

**littlemommy** · 10-20-2011, 07:42 AM

When DS was under a year, I took him to physical therapy for weak neck muscles. She asked me if I used exersaucers or walkers. I didn't, and she encouraged me not to.

She said that they give babies a false sense of security, making them think they can stand when their muscles aren't ready for it. They don't learn to catch themselves and it's not natural for an infant that young to be in a standing position. It can delay walking and standing because it trains their bodies to use the wrong muscles. She said the same thing about Boppy seats.

I've seen studies that show that babies who get floor time and don't use these "toys" are stronger and are standing/walking earlier. I can post links later.

**2ndFamilyDC** · 10-20-2011, 07:45 AM

I should clarify that I am not putting him in there yet. It is for future use when his neck muscles are stronger.

**youretooloud** · 10-20-2011, 07:54 AM

I love those things! Especially walkers. I've been using them for years. Nobody is bowlegged.

We've all had those kids who want to be held so they can jump on our legs..for hours and hours.

I just saw an infant seat with a kick plate at the bottom for the infants who love to have something to kick. But, it's $60. So, we will just stick to waiting til they are old enough for the bouncing saucer things.

**2ndFamilyDC** · 10-20-2011, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by youretooloud

I love those things! Especially walkers. I've been using them for years. Nobody is bowlegged.

We've all had those kids who want to be held so they can jump on our legs..for hours and hours.

I just saw an infant seat with a kick plate at the bottom for the infants who love to have something to kick. But, it's $60. So, we will just stick to waiting til they are old enough for the bouncing saucer things.

I agree, I have not seen one single bowlegged kid come out of my daycare.

That I am aware of they have not been outlawed in my state. I will

continue to use one til they do.

I plan on having a conversation with this mom this afternoon about it.

**cheerfuldom** · 10-20-2011, 08:04 AM

hmmmmm....never heard of this before. We have baby equipment here but I try really, really hard not to use it. I'd rather the babies be doing lots of tummy time and floor time. After they can sit up, its rare that they use any equipment at all.

**MarinaVanessa** · 10-20-2011, 08:10 AM

I'm in CA also and yes we are not allowed to use them at all. Like Crystal said, it has a lot to do with physical development. We aren't allowed to use walkers or jumperoo's either. I think that those bumbo things are also not allowed, anything that helps them sit up and supports them.

I do however have a walker for my own son but I have used it when we go to MIL house as a sort of portable high-chair. I have used it a handful of times here at home but not for extended periods of time and deffinetely nowhere near an hour. Even my son's pediatrician says that infants shouldn't be in them for more than 30 minutes a day total.

On top of bow-leggedness infants can also get Hypotonis (floppy baby syndrome) which is reduced muscle tone or muscle weakness. Or infants may not develop their balance and muscles properly causing a minimal or even severe delay in stepping stones like rolling over, sitting up etc. (depending on how much time an infant spends in these). Of course Hypotonis happens usually when the infants is left in these (or high-chairs) for extended periods of time on a regular basis.

I'm sure that this is not the case with you but there you go, just a little of info on why they say that walkers/excersaucers etc are not recommended. Nothing beats tummy time.

**Blackcat31** · 10-20-2011, 08:46 AM

2ndFamilyDC, I am also in MN and we are allowed to use these items.

I see no problem with them and have used them with various infants/toddlers through the years. Obviously, my first choice is floor time for the babies but if I had a particularly cranky or unhappy infant/toddler, you can bet your bottom dollar that equipment like these things were used as necessary.

I have not had a bowlegged kid or developmental problem come up because of these things either, but I am sure it is because the infants/toddlers who I used these things for weren't in them every waking second.

I feel bad for providers in some states that are so limited on the things they can and cannot do in regards to common sense. I am simply glad that MN still has some faith in the choices that the daycare providers here make.

**MarinaVanessa** · 10-20-2011, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by Blackcat31

I feel bad for providers in some states that are so limited on the things they can and cannot do in regards to common sense. I am simply glad that MN still has some faith in the choices that the daycare providers here make.

Thanks I appreciate it. Unfortunately the Gov here likes to get their hands on every aspect of living

. We are such a sue happy state that the state has to protect itself from lawsuits. If something happens in a DC like an infant becoming bowlegged because they were in a walker the parents would sue the daycare, sue the state for not having regulations against this, sue the childcare provider personally and then sue the walker company. So sad. Then again we wouldn't have thes regs if it weren't for someone who didn't have exactly what you said ... common sense. Leave it one to ruin it for all of us.

**2ndFamilyDC** · 10-20-2011, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by Blackcat31

2ndFamilyDC, I am also in MN and we are allowed to use these items.

I feel bad for providers in some states that are so limited on the things they can and cannot do in regards to common sense. I am simply glad that MN still has some faith in the choices that the daycare providers here make.

MN currently lets us use them, hoping that does not change anytime soon.

so it seems that a lot of providers are holding their babies all day with some floor time in there. I doubt that a baby who is not crawling wants to be on the floor for hours either, and as providers we do not have hours on end to hold a baby to keep them happy and entertained. They need a change of pace.

**Blackcat31** · 10-20-2011, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by MarinaVanessa

Thanks I appreciate it. Unfortunately the Gov here likes to get their hands on every aspect of living

. We are such a sue happy state that the state has to protect itself from lawsuits. If something happens in a DC like an infant becoming bowlegged because they were in a walker the parents would sue the daycare, sue the state for not having regulations against this, sue the childcare provider personally and then sue the walker company. So sad. Then again we wouldn't have thes regs if it weren't for someone who didn't have exactly what you said ... common sense. Leave it one to ruin it for all of us.

Yeah when I read posts from providers in your state (Ca) and Catherder's my heart grows two sizes bigger because I could not be regulated as much as you guys are and still be happy doing what I do. You ladies have my utmost respect!

**sharlan** · 10-20-2011, 09:13 AM

Yep, CA feels that it's safer for an infant to be on the floor with toddlers running around. I'm sure that swings will be the next thing to go.

I loved my exersaucers and bouncy seats. I never had an issue with developmental delay because of them. All the kids I used them for walked between 9 and 11 mos. Only one didn't walk until he was 15 mos old, but that had nothing to do with the exersaucer.

I never left the kids in it for more than 15 mins at a time.

**mismatchedsocks** · 10-20-2011, 09:24 AM

Here in WI we can still use those things. They take up alot of room, so when they are out they are "age appropriate" bumbo for kids learning to sit up not a 2 month old, a jumperoo for kids who are trying to stand and jump, they love it. Exersaucers are great here.. are used when i am making lunch, snack, or changing diapers. The little ones are safe in it, for the older kids still out.

I cant imagine not using equipment in a daycare, with more then one or two children. I dont think leaving them in it all day is great but 20 minutes at a time ( which is WI rule) will be just fine in moving body parts and not getting them stuck in the same position!

**laundrymom** · 10-20-2011, 09:29 AM

I stopped all baby furniture but cribs for naps 11 years ago. I always have 2 or 3 under 16 mo. And ten total under age 5. It took some getting used to but I feel my program is better because of it. I know I do not miss the lack of space. Lol. Our state still allows saucers swings and bouncers, jumpers and bumbos. But I choose not to have them

Exersausers and Bowleggedness?

Exersausers and Bowleggedness?

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