Exersausers and Bowleggedness?

[SandeeAR]

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.

Funny, wonder how long it has been since that PT has been in school? My DD, graduated with a Docterate in Physical Therapy in 2007 and has been working as a Pediatric PT for going on 4 years. They don't have that view in PT school now. According to my DD, a saucer, walker, bouncer, bumbo, are ALL safe, if used for no more than 20-30 min at a time and about 3-4 times a day, during a 10 hour daycare period.

Also, according to my DD, one of the biggest contributing things to bowleggedness, is "W" sitting....(flat on their bottom, with the legs bent back in a W).

She has even used a walker to encourage a child that didn't like to put his feet on the floor. All the therapist use the bumbos.

[littlemommy]

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

Yes-the space you save when not using them is amazing!

[nannyde]

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.

When I first heard about California and Georgias regs on the equipment my first thought was how rediculous it was. I use the exersaucers and they are WONDERFUL. I have old school one built like a tank with a big lip, fixed toys, soft cushy seats, and three levels for adjustment. The highest level will accomodate up to the average twelve month old.

But after watching Center cameras for nearly a year... I can honestly see why they make these regs. If you don't stay on the workers like white on rice they will leave the kids in there for a really really long time. Swings and any kind of confinement equipment are used SO much.

Even with exact rules and exact employee specific training.. they will NOT mind the time. They base in and outs on one thing... crying. If the kid isn't crying they leave them where they don't cry.

I can honestly imagine that a lot of providers use these kinds of pieces for long periods of time based on whether or not the kid cries. The other issue which is also HUGE is not keeping the mobile kids OFF of the equipment. Allowing older kids to climb on it and play with the fixed toys puts the equipment at risk for breaking down and the child who is in them at risk for being a target by the older kids. Because they are chest/belly level for the older kids they are a natural draw. The fact that they bounce is an even bigger draw.

So add those to the fact that equipment nowadays is made SO poorly, so shallow, with bad materials... and the adults are doing whatever they can to have no crying... and supervision of both the baby and the older kids can easily be challenged... you have the perfect storm of risk to the baby.

I train ALL the kids to leave the seats alone. They aren't allowed to touch them period. The babies aren't allowed to be in them for more than 15-20 minutes and we use them ONLY when it's to the benefit of the baby. For example when we are getting seven kids in full winter gear... once the babies are completely dressed we put them in the seats. It's not reasonable for them to crawl around bound in winter clothing. They can sit upright while we finish up the whole crew.

When the baby has had a ton of exercise and we are trying to nurse them along to nap time without an early bedtime... the bouncy seats keep them upright and supported for that last fifteen minutes. When we NEED them contained because we are doing a transition time that is high energy and requires a lot of adult one to one of each kid.. we get them settled to have something to do while we are doing what WE need to do.

Using them reasonably (max of 15-20 mins and max of 3 times a day in a 9-10 hour day with a few HOURS in between use) AND having strict no touch rules PLUS having excellent well maintained equipment that FITS with the depth of the seat plus the length from the lowest part of the crotch to the base be enough to have the child stand to bare weight), not using when the child can hike over the sides, not putting babies in them who can get face buried or need additional blankets to be able to sit up in them, and with excellent toys attached and put on... that are new to the child and rotated frequenty is the key to using them wisely.

[countrymom]

you know what, its fine to use the equipment but some children live in it. I had a child who was in there all day, so yes his legs were bowlegged. Just like kids who sit in their swings all day and bouncy seats, they have misshapen heads. Its one of those that require common sense.

[caligirl]

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.

Isn't THAT the truth!

[laundrymom]

Country mom?? You are so right but common sense,... Isn't common. Lol.

[2ndFamilyDC]

Funny, wonder how long it has been since that PT has been in school? My DD, graduated with a Docterate in Physical Therapy in 2007 and has been working as a Pediatric PT for going on 4 years. They don't have that view in PT school now. According to my DD, a saucer, walker, bouncer, bumbo, are ALL safe, if used for no more than 20-30 min at a time and about 3-4 times a day, during a 10 hour daycare period.

Also, according to my DD, one of the biggest contributing things to bowleggedness, is "W" sitting....(flat on their bottom, with the legs bent back in a W).

She has even used a walker to encourage a child that didn't like to put his feet on the floor. All the therapist use the bumbos.

well how interesting. Thanks for sharing this view (which is how I view it too). But each to their own right. Some on here love equipment and some dislike it and don't use it. Whatever works for you is the right thing I believe.

[littlemommy]

I'm not completely against these things, but I believe what the therapist said about the false sense of security. I also have seen too many babies being placed in them to be "out of the way" or to keep them quiet. Most parents probably over use them.

I'm sure when I have my 2nd baby, I will use a swing or bouncy chair once in a while. I doubt I will use the Boppy seat or an exersaucer, but that is just my personal preference.