Walking downwardly an aisle of babe toys and devices tin be very overwhelming for a new parent. There are options aplenty, and they all advertise happy niggling ones enjoying the features of these toys and devices. As a pediatric physical therapist, I frequently receive questions from new parents about the infant positioning devices (retrieve walkers, jumpers, exersaucers, swings, etc). "When should I buy a walker? What kind of bouncer will be best for my baby? When can I put my baby in a swing?"

Well, I'm going to let you in on a secret—most pediatric PTs don't recommend a affair! While these positioning devices are convenient when you demand your baby contained for a couple of minutes, they actually hinder general evolution and gross motor skill acquisition.

If y'all're thinking, "Wait a second, back upwards. How can a device that helps my baby sit and walk be hindering development?" and then you're definitely not alone! It seems counterintuitive to recommend against these devices. Read on for a little more than about the problems with infant positioning devices and what PTs recommend instead.

Why Devices Can Be a Trouble

Fourth dimension spent in a device is time away from your child exploring how his or her torso works

When your child is placed in a device, that device hinders your baby from learning how his or her body moves without beingness contained in a device. When your baby is placed on the ground instead, your babe can explore how he or she rolls, scoots along the floor, and transitions between different positions.

Devices can contain your baby for brief periods when you demand some fourth dimension to warm up your coffee, answer a quick email, or catch a snack for another little ane running around.

They find their toes quicker, they discover how their hands play together, and they learn how to use their body to explore the environment. When out of equipment, your baby also learns how to fall! Falling is a very important skill to learn in guild to continue your baby safe. When a infant is always contained, he or she then doesn't larn the appropriate protective reactions and skills needed to safely fall.

Devices identify your baby in poor postures

When your baby has external supports to rely on, he or she then leans dorsum into that support and into poor postures. Your baby then learns to rely on something external to support him or her up. Additionally, if your child has a preference to tip their caput to ane side, these devices will emphasize those preferences.

Devices filibuster gross motor milestones

Your child requires thousands of hours of practise to achieve new gross motor milestones. When placed in devices, he or she is non getting the practice to reach new skills like independent sitting, standing, crawling, and walking. Your babe too learns to misuse some of his or her muscles, which can contribute to different issues downward the line, similar toe walking, back pain, or difficulty with more advanced developmental skills.

Some devices can exist unsafe

Some baby seats have been known to tip over from an elevated surface. Walkers tin can make your babe a little likewise mobile—allowing them to get near the stairs and potentially into things they would otherwise be unable to achieve. And in that location have been some swings and positioners recalled due to the increased risk of injury while using them.

How can we keep babies entertained without these devices?

As stated previously, these devices can incorporate your baby for brief periods when y'all need some time to warm up your coffee, reply a quick email, or grab a snack for another little one running around. Even so, when you need your kid entertained for longer periods of fourth dimension and don't desire to take away from prime developmental time, the following are some ideas to try.

Play mats

If you've read any of my other articles, you know that pediatric physical therapists LOVE floor time for our babies. Supervised floor time is the all-time place for your baby'southward development. Play mats now come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and sizes, and by incorporating floor time early on, your baby will quickly learn to enjoy their fourth dimension in that location. And the floor is where your child will acquire how to move independently!

Portable cribs

When babies need to be contained for safety, y'all can apply something to continue them in 1 spot, while notwithstanding giving them an opportunity to explore and move nigh. Pop-out a Pack n Play where you can keep an eye on your baby, while y'all're even so able to work, make dinner, or do other things around the room.

Play "gyms"

These don't "comprise" your baby. Simply they all the same permit your baby to enjoy the features that containment devices provide, while encouraging your babe to use his or her own strength to explore.

Use the infant positioning devices sparingly and while supervised

We know that it tin be a strong ask to request that families ditch the infant positioning devices completely, so if you need to use them, use them sparingly. Nosotros all need a few minutes to ourselves every in one case in a while (now mayhap more than than ever), and these devices may give you the mental break y'all need. If using the devices, keep your kid supervised to ensure his or her safety.

Read More: xiii Concrete Therapist Approved Toys for Babies