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Buying a baby jumper…where do I start?
Hearing your baby giggle and squeal as they jump in their baby jumper is such a precious thing. Giving your baby lots of energy, excitement and strengthening their legs as they bounce, buying a baby jumper for your home is a great idea.
While baby jumpers may be a bit of a controversial baby item due to safety concerns, we want to help you make the choice that will make you feel comfortable and give your baby the best there is. Proper use of a baby jumper can be fun, give your baby exercise and strengthen their body. It’s important to follow safety instructions and guidelines set for how long your baby should be in the jumper and how often the jumper should be used.
We are going to walk you through some basic baby jumper safety, and then tell you what jumpers are the best in the hope of making your decision easier!
Are Baby Jumpers Safe to Use?
In moderation, yes. Obviously having your baby bouncing in their jumper for hours at a time can be unhealthy for them and hard on their growing joints – but the key to enjoying the jumper (and putting your mind at ease) is to limit the time spent in the jumper.
This doesn’t mean they can’t ever use it, or that you shouldn’t buy one. I personally LOVE the jumper we bought our son, and he had such an amazing time in the months he used it, he loved it. He would have spent hours on end in it. As a new mom, it was tempting to let him stay in it – but following the instructions I limited his use to no more than 15 minutes each time he used it.
How Do We Use Our Baby Jumper Safely?
Limit your baby’s time using the jumper! Your baby’s weight while in the jumper will be supported mostly by their hips, their underarms, and their crotch area. As a result, if you leave your baby in jumper too long or use it too often, your baby may face issues with posture.
Read and follow instructions on your jumper. Most jumper systems will have warnings/time limits on them that are there specifically for that jumper, and to be safe you should abide by them at all times.
Watch the toes, encourage proper foot movements outside the jumper. Your baby will likely be bouncing himself up and down using his toes. This may cause your baby to get into the habit of pointing their toes, which can slightly delay their walking.
Bouncing on their toes is actually a good way to do it, as having the full force of their weight on their flat feet absorbs the jumping shock a bit less. To counter this, we suggest encouraging baby to stand (with your support) on with completely flat feet while outside the jumper. (In other words, jumper=toes, walking/standing=flat feet).
Check your baby bouncer every time before you put your baby in it. There is a certain amount of risk in the equipment as well, your baby has the risk of slipping off/out in a case where the harness is loose or the frame is faulty. (I generally do a little push test with my hand (using quite a bit of my body weight) on the baby seat before putting my son into the jumper)
Watch out for jerky/sudden/uncontrolled baby movements – it may be a sign of exhaustion/time for a break! At the age when your baby will be using a jumper the most, they aren’t totally in control of their motor skills and might be rather jerky and sudden in their movements. Always keep an eye on your baby while they are in the jumper, and take them out if they are getting too tired.
Be mindful of what type of jumper you’re getting and make sure it is a legal item to use and that the jumper you’re purchasing will work in your home. In a lot of places, the “suspension jumper” (one that hangs in a doorway) is not even sold anymore because they have been proven too dangerous.
Do what YOU think is best. Mom knows best! I think when deciding what products and activities your baby engages in, mom’s confidence in the product use is what matters most.
If you have read all the safety guidelines and feel comfortable with your baby enjoying minimal time in a baby jumper, buy one for your home. If you’re not feeling completely convinced about a baby jumper, buy a different activity center for your baby.
What Kind of Jumper Should I Buy?
There are three types of baby jumpers: stationary jumpers, stationary activity jumpers, and door frame jumpers.
Although the choice is up to you, we suggest a stationary activity jumper for your baby, as these not only allow your baby to jump safely but also be entertained by toys and lights.
We also enjoy the stationary/frame jumpers because they often have more of an “activity center” theme with more toys and options to entertain baby – whereas the doorway/suspension jumpers don’t allow for extras.
Best Baby Jumpers:
Fisher-Price Luv U Zoo Jumperoo
This jumper is praised for being super easy to get baby into and of out, as well as being a total play palace! With so many different toys to use and sounds to listen to, your baby will definitely be entertained!
Product Weight: 17.2 pounds
Product Dimensions: 24 x 22 x 7.3 inches
Weight Limitation: minimum 16 ounces – maximum 25 lbs
- Seat spins 360° (toys all around)
- Sturdy, free-standing steel frame
- Easily adjusts to 3 different heights (as your baby grows)
- Easy to get baby in and out of
- Heavy
- Takes up space
- Requires batteries to make music and sound
- 360 turning seat is a little stiff (may take some time to ‘break in’)
Summer Infant Pop N’ Jump Portable Activity Center
This jumper set up is perfect for an on-the-go family or even just if you enjoy spending time in your own backyard. Fresh air is great for baby and we love that this easily-foldable jumper system can go wherever you go!
Product Weight: 10.9 pounds
Product Dimensions: 26 x 26 x 38 inches
Weight Limitation: less than 25 lbs, shorter than 29.5 inches
- Lightweight folding frame
- Easily assembled, easily taken down
- 3-levels of height adjustment
- Jumping support seat can be easily removed (and machine washed)
- UV canopy protects baby from the sun when outside
- Compact travel bag with shoulder strap (easy for travel)
- Bottom doesn’t come off (wipe-wash only)
- Good for travel, not ideal for stationary/in home product
- No batteries required
- Baby can reach canopy (may try to take it off/play with it)
Graco Bumper Jumper, Stratus
A good space saver…if you have doorways in your home, your baby can jump! This super easily stored mechanism will have your baby jumping for joy and you watching on with a smile.
Product Weight: 3.5 pounds
Product Dimensions: 17.5 x 69.5 x 17 inches
Weight Limitation: 5.5 lbs – maximum 25 lbs
- Sturdy bounce spring with hidden safety cord
- No-mark clamp for doorway
- Easily movable from room to room
- Seat pad is easily machine washable
- Non-twist straps, easy in and out for baby
- Requires doorway with trim
- May not know if it works in your home until you buy it
- Limited toys
- Not good for tall babies
Evenflo ExerSaucerJump and Learn Stationary Jumper Jam Session
We’ve got a musician in the house! We love that this is so much more than just a jumper – it’s a musical, magical entertainment system for your baby. The possibilities with this one are endless and your baby will have so much fun jumping to the music.
Product Weight: 1.3 pounds
Product Dimensions: 3.9 x 9.2 x 11.4 inches
Weight Limitation: maximum 25 lbs
-
- Bounce base gives baby a soft landing (stability)
- Smart electronic toys / 3 genres of music
- 67 fun learning activities
- Takes up quite a bit of space
- Difficult to set up
- Not easily movable
- Not easily stored when not in use
Jolly Jumper on a Stand for Rockers
This super portable jolly jumper will fit your baby snug and keep them safe as they jump and rock as much as they want. We think you will like this baby jumper because it’s portable, easy to set up and easy to store.
Product Weight: 11.3 pounds
Product Dimensions: 38 x 21 x 2.8 inches
Weight Limitation: maximum 28 lbs
- Firm support for baby’s spine
- A space saver
- Easily stored when not in use
- Super easy set up
- Difficult to get baby into and out of (may need help)
- No toys or music
- Best used on carpet (no floor damage, more comfortable for baby)
Baby Einstein Neptune’s Ocean Discovery Jumper
Busy baby needs a busy play center! This jumper comes with educational and stimulating toys, music and is loads of fun for your little one! What we like best about this particular jumper is that there is no saucer/bottom on it – and if you use it on carpet, it can be super comfortable for your baby’s little feet.
Product Weight: 14.8 pounds
Product Dimensions: 32 x 32 x 33.1 inches
Weight Limitation: (over 6 months of age) – maximum 24.2 lbs
- Removable turtle toy that speaks 3 different languages (English, French, Spanish)
- Flashcards and toys with real-life ocean imagery
- Ajustable height limits (4 different stages)
- 360 degree rotating seat
- Lead-free, BPA-free, and non-toxic
- Batteries required
- Difficult to assemble
- Not easily stored when not in use
- Best used on carpet (avoid floor damage and more comfortable for baby)
Bright Starts Bounce Bounce Baby
This colorful and compact jumper would be fantastic for a small apartment! Our favorite part of this jumper system is definitely the link toy loop – adding your baby’s favorite toys to their jumper is such a nice option!
Product Weight: 11 pounds
Product Dimensions: 27 x 27 x 33 inches
Weight Limitation: minimum 10 lbs – maximum 25 lbs
- 3 adjustable positions to match baby’s height
- 360 spinning seat
- A link loop for attaching additional toys
- Light/Compact
- 360 seat may be difficult for baby to turn in alone
- Not very bouncy (compared to other systems)
- Not very sturdy
- Saucer/bottom is small
You child’s happiness, safety, and amusement are important and we want you to pick the baby bouncer that’s right for you. To make this process easier, we have put together an easy to read comparison chart so that you can see how each of these products measure up against one another.
Comparing the Best Baby Bouncer Systems
| Product | Cost | Function(s) | Weight Limit | Batteries Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher-Price Luv U Zoo Jumperoo | $$ | 360 degree spinning seat, toys include a hippo rollerball, giraffe, spinning alligator, lion teether, bat-at gorilla & rhino, an elephant mirror | 16 ounces - 25 lbs | Yes, 3 hour battery life |
| Summer Infant Pop N' Jump Portable Activity Center | $ | Toys include spinner ball, rattle, teether and mirror book | less than 25 lbs, shorter than 75 cm | None |
| Graco Bumper Jumper, Stratus | $ | No mark clamp, safety cord, toy tray | 5.5 lbs - 25 lbs | None |
| Evenflo ExerSaucerJump and Learn Stationary Jumper Jam Session | $$$ | 67 fun learning activities, electronic toys, 3 music genres | up to 25 lbs | Yes, 2.25 hour battery life |
| Jolly Jumper on a Stand for Rockers | $$$ | Firm supportive seat, easy to set up/move, easy to move and jump | up to 28 lbs | None |
| Baby Einstein Neptune's Ocean Discovery Jumper | $$$ | Turtle toy speaks numbers and colors in 3 languages (English, French, Spanish), flash cards and other toys with real-life ocean imagery | up to 24.2 lbs | Yes, 3 AA batteries required |
| Bright Starts Bounce Bounce Baby *EDITORS CHOICE* | $ | 360 degree seat, colorful toys & toy link loop to attach your own toys | 10 lbs - 25 lbs | None |
How Do I Know When to Adjust the Height on My Baby’s Jumper?
There 3 questions to ask yourself when you think about changing the height setting on your jumper:
Are your baby’s feet touching the ground with flat feet? If so, then it’s time to change the height setting. Your baby should be only able to touch the ground with the toes (comfortably) as they are not yet able to support their body weight on their own feet (the seat of the chair takes most of their weight when they are on their toes).
Are you baby’s legs straight, not very bent at the knee? If your baby has straight legs instead of bent ones, it’s time to change the height setting. Your baby should have a comfortable/slight bend at their knee to help them bounce – if the legs are straight, your baby is too tall for the jumper’s current height.
Is the bouncing getting a little too wild? If your baby is able to spring fairly high off the ground or is bouncing a little too much, it’s time to change the height setting. Baby should be able to have a comfortable and small bounce, not an actual big jump. Your baby should also have their bum firmly planted in the seat when they bounce (if they are coming out of the seat, your jumper is too low).
