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Hands Free Parenting Devices: Bumbo, Carriers, Swings, Baby Bouncers, etc.

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Bumbo baby sitter seat

Certainly, parenting is and should be a hands-on experience. It is best for baby, and the bond between parent and baby, to have your child in-arms whenever possible. However, using alternative devices like the the Bumbo baby seat, baby swings and bouncers will certainly give your arms a rest from time to time. This article will explain the importance of in-arms, attachment parenting, but will also give details about some of the hands-free devices you can rely on from time to time.

Why In-Arms

Things like co-sleeping, skin-to-skin contact, and keeping baby in-arms rather than in strollers, seats, swings and cribs, is the best way to give your baby security. This type of attachment parenting fosters a strong bond between parent and child. Especially in the early months (the first three months are often called the fourth trimester”), your baby needs to be close to mom or dad often. It may sound counter-intuitive, but keeping your baby close actually fosters more independence. Keeping baby in arms gives them the warmth and security that they need to feel comfortable exploring independently, when they are ready.

Baby Carriers

Baby carriers, baby slings and baby wraps are a fantastic way to keep baby close, warm and secure, while leaving the parent hands free. My 11 months old gets so excited every time I pull out my Ergo Baby Carrier so we can go out for a walk. In fact, we have ditched our stroller altogether.

Using a carrier, sling or wrap, you can do work around the house, go for a walk with no extra equipment (stroller), carry several bags, and do all sorts of things. Not only is this convenient for parents, but babies are right in the action. They learn and observe very close to the parents’ eye level. This is a fantastic way for babies to learn, and very different from the view they get from a stroller.

I suggest getting a carrier, like the Ergo, and a wrap, like a Moby Wrap or Girasol Wrap. That way you have different alternatives. For example, you cannot wear the baby facing out with the Ergo, but you can with the wraps. The wraps give a lot of flexibility, as you can learn different ways to wear baby. As baby gets older, you may for certain wraps styles better for your back. The Ergo provides a great deal of back support as well.

When You Need To Give Your Back And Arms A Break

Sometimes you need a break, even from the carrier or wrap. This is when devices like the Bumbo baby sitter, swings, and baby bouncers come into play. Each of these has their moments.

Bumbo

The Bumbo is a single-piece seat made of a low-density foam. It’s a deep seat, with a high back and sides. There are leg holes, which fit to a baby’s size, and also a front support so the baby won’t fall out. The bumbo baby seat provides a way for your infant to sit up right before they are physically capable of doing so themselves. This way, you can be hands free, and your baby can conveniently sit up and get used to a new position.

Be Careful: While the Bumbo is convenient, over-use is not good for your baby’s ability to develop an independent sitting posture. If used for about more than 15 minutes, and if used to frequently, your baby may learn to depend on that support, rather than using his/her own muscles to develop the skills to sit up right. Basically, it may delay that ability.

Also, never leave your baby unattended in the Bumbo, or set them atop a table or chair. There was a Bumbo baby seat recall as a result of negligent parents leaving their kids unattended in the seat, or atop a high-up surface. The name Bumbo Babysitter is misleading. Be responsible!

Baby Bouncers

Baby bouncers are a good hands-free device that rocks baby to sleep. A baby bouncer, not to be confused with a baby bouncer jumper, is basically a seat that baby gets strapped into. The seat is attached to a motorized (battery operated) frame that provides vibration and bouncing movement to soothe. As you probably know, the baby experiences gentle rocking and swaying in the womb. It’s no wonder they like things like baby bouncers and swings to soothe them and help them to sleep.

You’ll have to do a little searching to find the best baby bouncer. You can try something like the Safety First Baby Bouncer. I do suggest you go for something non-synthetic if you can afford it. The less off-gassing materials your baby has to breathe, the stronger their immune system and overall health.

Baby Swings

Baby swings are another handy (or hands free!) device to help soothe baby to sleep. We found our swing very useful. Again, it is a motorized device with different speeds.

Suggestion: Don’t use any ONE device to help baby to sleep. If your baby gets used to going to sleep in the swing all the time, or the baby bouncer, or even the car (on those days or nights when nothing else seems to work!), they may have more trouble learning to self-soothe eventually. However, relying on such devices from time to time should offer some relief to you when you need a break, or your baby is super fussy.

Conclusion

In summary, I encourage parents to not be so dependent on devices. Such things dilute the attachment and bonding with children. Books like The Continuum Concept, by Jane Leidoff, highlight the notion that strong attachment and in-arms early parenting will set the stage for your child for years to come on many levels. However, certainly feel comfortable keeping a baby device or two around to give yourself a break from time to time.

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