Jolly Jumpers and Baby Standing Equipment should be avoided. Tips from a Baby Physiotherapist.

I urge parents not to buy these pieces of equipment that can be unsafe and won’t help your baby learn to stand and walk. Babies miss out on valuable floor time when spending too much time in walkers and jumpers, save your money and buy a great play mat instead. 

Standing and Your Baby's Development

Around 5-6 months, babies often love to be held in a standing position, pushing down and holding some of their weight. They'll frequently "bounce" and "dance," full of joyful energy. Holding your baby like this in your arms for short periods is absolutely fine; you won't keep them in this position for long.

However, be careful with baby equipment that encourages unsupported standing, like some jumpers or activity centers. Babies can happily stay in these for 30 minutes or more, bouncing and standing. Unfortunately, this kind of equipment doesn't actually help your baby learn to stand independently; it can even hinder their development.

When a baby is suspended in standing equipment, they're supported between their legs, almost like sitting on a saddle. This means their hips and pelvis are supported in a way that uses different muscles than what's needed for independent standing.

Why avoid Baby Standers and Jolly Jumpers

• Safety- babies have fallen out of, tipped over and had fingers trapped in these pieces of equipment. 

• Hip development- stick to equipment that offers broad support through the pelvis rather than a narrow saddle to helo support your baby’s hip development. The graphics in this article show you more https://hipdysplasia.org/baby-carriers-other-equipment/ 

• Toe standing and walking- avoid equipment that allows your baby to spend time standing on their tip toes as this can lead to muscle tightness and difficulty walking with the feet flat. 

• Missed opportunity- floor play is the best way to support your baby’s development, extended time in equipment can delay their gross motor development. 

How to Help Baby Learn to Stand

To genuinely support your baby's standing development, encourage activities that build strength in their hips and pelvis. This includes:

• Standing while holding onto furniture: This allows them to use their own muscles for support and balance.
• "Bear" position: When they are on their hands and feet with their bottom in the air.
• Kneeling: This helps strengthen their core and leg muscles.

These activities naturally build the crucial hip and pelvic strength your baby needs for standing on their own.

Baby Walkers that physiotherapists recommend

When your baby is ready to start moving, push-behind walkers (like toy trolleys or small pretend prams) are fantastic tools to help them learn to walk. Unlike suspended equipment, these allow your baby to balance on their own feet, engaging their core and leg muscles as they hold themselves upright and push.

When you're looking for a push-behind walker, keep these tips in mind:

• Go for sturdy and heavy: A good walker will have a solid, weighty base to prevent it from tipping over.
• Ensure it's the right height: Your baby should be able to stand upright and push without having to lean too far forward.
• Look for slow and steady movement: The walker shouldn't run away from your baby. If it's still moving too fast, try weighing it down with some beanbags or using it on a surface with more friction, like carpet, grass, or even bricks outdoors.

These types of walkers truly support your baby's natural development toward independent walking.