jolly jumper

JJ loved his jolly jumper and used it between about 5 months and about 7 months, til he was crawling everywhere at top speed and too busy for the jumper. They only use them for a very short time so if you can borrow one do it

I found this article from birthwise.org.nz really useful:

birthwise.org.nz wrote: Many parents are given or buy a "jumper" for their child because friends and relatives rave about how much their children "loved their jumper". Young babies love hopping about in doorframes, and who can blame them. They get to see the world from an upright position, and begin to experience their own power combined with a feeling of freedom. "Jumpers" are admittedly enormous fun, and can on most occasions provide instant "safe" entertainment for baby whilst the washing is hung out. However, as an osteopath there are a number of reasons that I would suggest as worthy of consideration before placing a young baby into a "jumper". The development of the neurological and musculoskeletal systems occurs as a sequence of events (e.g. rolling, crawling etc) for a reason. Each stage is important, programming the central nervous system and musculoskeletal systems in such a way that the next stage can then progress in the correct manner. At birth the spine is in a relative C shape (from front to back), flexed from the top of the neck to the pelvis. This shape is termed the primary curve. Through the sequential development of head control, rolling, sitting, crawling, standing and walking etc, the primary curve slowly changes, and the spine begins to adopt more of an S shape. These curves are known as the secondary curves. The development of this S shape is important. It enables the spine to act like a spring, absorbing jarring forces when we interact with gravity e.g. sitting, standing, running, jumping etc. By approximately five months of age the lumbar spine (lower back), which was flexed at birth is starting to flatten out, and by thirteen months (about the average age for standing/ walking) has flattened out completely. From this age till the age of eight the lumbar spine moves further into an extended position as the spine fully adopts it's secondary curves. When a baby below the age of five months is placed in a "jumper" they still have their primary curve in the lumbar spine. However, they are exercising in a position (standing upright) where they would normally have started to develop their secondary curve in the lumbar spine had they gotten to standing under their own steam. Simply put they are exercising with, and thereby reinforcing a musculoskeletal pattern for, incorrect posture. Most of us are keenly aware that exercising with incorrect posture can cause musculoskeletal problems. Hip joint development should be encouraged within the natural position, and level of weight bearing for the child's age. Optimal hip development is in a moderately flexed (knees towards the chest), abducted (legs slightly away from each other) and medially rotated (the knees come inwards) position. This is the position that the hips are in when a child learns to crawl. By going through the crawling stage the muscles around the hip develop in balance, and are thereby able to better cope with the relatively more extreme subsequent actions of standing and jumping. Conversely the position of the hip in a "jumper" is inclined to be that which is more externally rotated and relatively extended with the added stress of pressure from the baby's weight passing directly through the hip joints. Imbalances within the mechanics of the hips and associated musculoskeletal structures can predispose to problems with the hips, pelvis, groin or spine. Parents will often ask "what about using a front pack then?".   When a baby is carried in a good quality front pack they are held firmly against an adult body. This supports much of the baby's weight, rather than the majority of pressure passing through the hip joints, as is the likely scenario with using the "jumper". In addition, if you observe people carrying a baby in a front pack, most of the time they also have one hand further supporting the baby from below. When babies hop in the "jumper" they tend to propel themselves from the toes (directions for use usually indicate that the babies should be set up with "toes just touching the floor"). Repetitive exercising in this position can cause tight calves and hamstrings (the muscles at the back of the legs). A potential outcome of this is that when the baby eventually comes to walk they find it difficult to place their feet flat on the ground, thus adopting a toe-walking pattern. To compensate for this adopted pattern the pelvis has to tilt out of normal alignment. These altered biomechanics of the spine and pelvis may in turn further predispose to back and postural problems in later life. It is important to remember that the earlier incorrect biomechanical patterns are created the more entrenched, and therefore difficult they can be to rectify as time goes on. Now begs the question how often and for how long can a "jumper" be used?   Unfortunately, there is no definitive guide as to how often a child can use a "jumper" before potential problems of a biomechanical nature may develop. The information provided with the "jumpers" themselves set no guidelines that I am aware of. Ultimately caution and common sense should prevail (i.e. don't leave them in it till they fall asleep), to provide a positive experience for both children and parents alike. Elizabeth A. Woodman   B.Sc. (Hons) OST DO Registered Osteopath

I'm a physiotherapist and I have no problems using the JJ with my son. He is 5 1/2 months, but I have been using it for a couple of months now....however intially only for short periods, and not every day. I would make sure they have good head control first. My wee man has reflux so loves being upright, saves me carrying him all the time!

great info thanks a million

i think i will wait till hes around 6 months and only use it for short intevals.

i am terrified of it comming off the door frame....so will only use it with "strict supervision"