bumbo chairs

hi all. the last several days lena and anna dont want to lay down, they just fuss and cry. does anyone have/use these little seats? what do you think of them? how old were your lo's?

 

Some folks on here didn't get much use of them or their kids didn't really like them too much.
Personally, we've gotten a lot of use out of ours. The boys sit and play in them really well and we use them for meal time sometimes too, especially early on when their highchairs where swallowing them up, but now the highchairs are the better spot for meals. We started using them at around 4 months and we are almost 8 and 1/2 months and still use them on a daily basis. Some babies that are chubby thighed won't get a very prolonged use of them.
As far as cost/benefit, I got one of the bumbos from my sister and the other I bought for 15 dollars at a twin resale. We did spring for the 10 dollar trays for each one but honestly we don't use the trays that much. I do have a friend that got a lot of use of the trays because her baby would play with toys on the tray. My guys will lean down and grab toys that are around them on the floor.

 

i started putting mine in the bumbo for maybe 3-5 minutes at a time when they were maybe 5 months old? sorry i can't remember exactly. and they didn't like it too much either. as they got older, it was a good place to put them when i wanted them to stay in one place, and i got the kind with a round tray all around them that has toys all around it so it kept them occupied. they stayed in them for much longer time periods then, they actually enjoyed them.

 

We have 1 & I'd like the tray but am very cheap, LOL. My boys like it but had to grow into it. At 4 months they were too small to feel secure in it. By 5 months, though, they'll sit it in for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. You could get out an exersaucer (as long as they have good head control) and use blankets to prop the be-jesus around them and underneath them. My boys love to 'sauce!

 

I did use them & they did enjoy them. But we used them for such a limited time, they were able to get out of them very quickly. I would recommend checking Craigslist for used ones if you want to buy one.

 

I was lent a Bumbo by a friend and imo, it hasn't been that useful - I can certainly say i'm glad I didn't spend my own money!! If you could find one for say $10 it would probably be worth it, but I think they are way overpriced for just a seat! Here's what I would recommend instead:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3247729

It's a Summer Infant "Super Seat" - essentially it's 3 in one, it is a chair similar to a bumbo, but has a ring of toys all around it, then when they get older you can take the foam insert out and the chair is bigger so it can be used as a booster seat. I bought it kinda on impulse because it looked neat, and I'm SO glad I did. Both of my twins are quite entertained with the toys (I got it when they were about 4 months and they are now 6 months, still love 'em). Now that they are eating solids, we use it for feeding time and it's perfect. We have yet to take the foam insert out but we'll be able to do that and get even more use out of it when we need to, unlike the bumbo which once they get too big, you're done. So, I would highly recommend purchasing it instead of the bumbo.

Also, it's on sale right now at BRU for the same price as a bumbo (not even including the tray or anything!). And if you have a coupon you can get it for cheaper... so it's a really good deal.

 

OH Barb, that looks super fun. Darn it, I wish I'd known about those like 4 months ago.

 

I loved mine and still use them occasionally. I started using them at 3 months and my girls sat up independently at 4.5 months. We used them for highchairs until 5 months and still use them for snack time if I don't want to deal with the high chairs. I also take them to friends' houses when we will be there for mealtime. I borrowed my sisters and bought the other on craigslist for 30. They are worth it and I probably would have paid full price for them if I had to.

 

Bumbos are really bad for kids with digestive issues (specifically, reflux) because they put pressure on the stomach. Why not get exersaucers instead? Your kids will be upright and have things to look at and play with when they're ready. Exersaucers can be used a lot longer than Bumbos too.

 

Pedi's say exersaucers are really bad for kids who may have muscle issues. They aren't recominded for infants under four months either. A Bumbo can be used much earlier, we started ours at about 8 weeks. Both of mine had reflux and they loved their bumbos. They also love their exersaucers, but we got a lot of use out of the bumbos. we moved them around the house so they could be near us in different rooms, but not in our arms.

 

One of mine enjoyed the bumbo, but she was so wiggly we stopped using it almost as soon as we could! Also watch closely as they get a bit older. My girlfrien had hers up on a table, and he fell off onto tile. Granted I dont think at 6 months old he had any business on the table in that thing anyways!

 

thanks ladies! I have 2 jumparoos for them, but even well padded, they are a bit too small yet. I have a great thrift store just for children right up the road from me(lol, myself and the staff are on a first name basis) so im going to give them a call to see about the super seat or the bimbo.

 

I blew 40 bucks on a bumbo and it's ok. Sam will use it sometimes.

The exersaucer is like a punishment to my kids. They hate it.

I bought a jumperoo and Jack is a jumping fool. He'll cry and fuss sometimes when you go to take him out! I found as long as only his tip toes are touching the floor it's better for his legs than landing straight/flat on his feet.

I wish my kids would learn to sit up independantly! No such luck yet at 6 months. They do roll really good though!