Infant bouncers 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 babies often spend excessive time in these devices.
They argue that these factors might hinder babies' development of walking skills and also raise the likelihood of weight gain.
They have even come up with a name for the phenomenon: '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, 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 process of learning to walk.
The guidance from NHS pediatric specialists in Birmingham, offered through the early years support service Startwell, is more comprehensive, cautioning about 'container baby syndrome.'
'It states: 'Nowadays, parents encounter numerous types of equipment including baby bouncers, jumpers, door bouncers, strollers, car seats, playpens, high chairs, baby swings, and chairs.'
'It seems we're overlooking the significance and objectives of 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 until they can sit unassisted, do not help in developing the core strength and limb muscles necessary for crawling.
Socks with grips, doormen, and strollers may prompt toddlers to walk on their toes, potentially resulting in persistent toe-walking and impaired 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 the guidance, stated: "Many parents use bouncers and jumpers to keep their children entertained and prevent them from rolling or crawling into hazardous areas, allowing themselves to complete household chores."
These items are created for convenience, yet they are excessively used, and individuals remain unaware of the potential dangers.
There are significant 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 in car seats and strollers for extended periods; these devices are intended for use with infants who cannot yet walk, but experts recommend phasing them out by the time the child reaches three years old unless they have specific medical requirements.
Mrs. Hamilton stated, "Now we have strollers intended for kids as old as seven years. This turns them into passive observers instead of active participants in their learning."
We observe that children are becoming less physically fit due to lack of muscular development, concurrently increasing their likelihood of obesity.
We aim for parents to enjoy 'leave the stroller' days.
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