Has anyone used one of these or heard anything good/bad about them? They come from South Africa and look like a great idea- very expensive though...

http://www.bumbobabyseat.com/

Hi Lindy,

I haven't got a bumbo, but a friend of mine does and her baby absolutely loves it. I recently tried Aimee sitting in one and she hated it! I guess what I'm trying to say is that every baby is diffent, so I would suggest you try sitting your bubbas in the bumbo before you purchase one or two because as you say they are rather pricey!

Cheers,

Hi Lindy,
I too have tried a "bumbo chair".
My experience has been with my son who has been a bit delayed in all his milestones. So at 7 months he still wasn't sitting up independently. This is when I tried the bumbo chair. For him, he loved it. It meant that he could sit up like his sister, and see what was going on around him. It also gave him an alternative position to work on neck control etc.
But, As well as being a mum, I am an occupational therapist. I haven't ever worked with kids, but my general impression with DS was that the chair probably wasn't a great thing for promoting development. It supports the child really well, but this results in decreasing the amount of control required by the child ie it doesn't really give them a chance to develop their muscle tone and I beleive puts them into a posture that doesn't promote the trunk and upper body stability required for independent sitting.
Personally, I would say sure use one but perhaps consider the amount of time the child spends sitting in the bumbo chair as opposed to practicing to sit independently. Depending on your finances, you could consider going without it too. (just my opinion I know). Having said that, I say again that DS did love being able to sit up when he otherwise couldn't have.
I hope this doesn't confuse you more.

Leonie
DH Phil
DD Hannah (10.6.03)
DS Noah (10.6.03)

Hi Renee & Leonie

Thanks for your advice on this. I was wondering about the developmental issues- muscular and skeletal, so it is great to get your mum/OT perspective on the seat Leonie. As you say, as long as they are not in it too much then it may be useful. I can envisage us using it more when sitting on hard surfaces (eg: dining room floor, or outside under the patio when dad is working on the car, etc!) rather than the loungeroom, etc where they are softer landing surfaces for bubs learning to sit (and this is where we seem to spend most of our life atm LOL). Might try my luck on ebay...

Thanks again
:-) Lindy