Exersaucers and your Baby - Good or Bad?
Exersaucers...The modern-day miracle or menace?The terrifying walkers that were flying down the stairs have been replaced, allowing babies to reach stove tops and running over everyone's toes.If you look the other way, you will see that some stores still sell walkers.I wish we would follow in the footsteps of our northern neighbors and ban them here as well.The advantages that exersaucers have are counterbalanced by the disadvantages that walkers have.It's good that exersaucers are stationary, but there are still some dangers.Exersaucers can limit baby's development.
The terrifying walkers that were flying down the stairs have been replaced, allowing babies to reach stove tops and running over everyone's toes.If you look the other way, you will see that some stores still sell walkers.I wish we would follow in the footsteps of our northern neighbors and ban them here as well.
The advantages that exersaucers have are counterbalanced by the disadvantages that walkers have.It's good that exersaucers are stationary, but there are still some dangers.Exersaucers can limit baby's development if they are used too often.Babies should be given as much movement as possible.
Don't use an exersaucer until your baby is able to stand on their own.The tiny bones, muscles, and ligaments of their feet and legs are not ready to bear weight until they are on their own.This is bad for their joints and can cause "knock knees," "bow-legs," or inverted ankles.Wait until babies are able to stand on furniture before putting them in an exersaucer.
If the baby's feet don't reach the base or the floor, use an exersaucer.Babies should not dangle from the sling as this could be detrimental to their hips, and babies shouldn't bear weight through their toes because they cannot get their feet flat on the floor.Weight-bearing through a baby's toes for long periods of time can put stress on the feet and cause problems down the road.If baby's feet don't reach the floor on the lowest setting, place a large book under them so they can put their feet down.
Babies should not be left unattended in exersaucers.Babies can wiggle themselves out of any contraption.
Babies should not be left in exersaucers for more than twenty minutes at a time.Babies shouldn't be stationary for long.Babies should be getting as much movement as possible during alert playtime.
Exersaucers can help with balance and core stability.Exersaucers can help build core strength and balance skills when the baby is young.
While in the exersaucer, play with your baby.While she is in the exersaucer, get down on her eye level, talk to her, and play with her.She gets more stimulation for her development.