While a baby hammock is generally not a dangerous product for your baby, there are still over 2,000 babies who are injured each year due to improper use.
Baby bouncers can be a great way to safely entertain your baby and give them some down time, provided they are used correctly. Let’s take a quick look at some things to consider before buying a new baby bouncer or baby bouncer chair.
defective parts
Many of the injuries caused by gorillas, according to a 2007 report by ConsumerReports.com, were due to faulty parts. This means that there was a manufacturing defect or that the parts were damaged by misuse.
For this reason, it’s always a good idea to research the history of the brand you’re interested in buying. If they have a strong track record with no recalls and few customer complaints, then you can feel more confident with their newer products; however, this is not a guarantee.
You should also avoid buying used products. Just because a jumper appears to be in good condition on initial inspection does not mean that there has not been misuse in the past. This could be as simple as poor assembly by the previous owner or a drop in transit. Any one of these things could be enough to damage it and cause it to malfunction.
If you do end up buying a used one, you should always do your proper research on the model as well as the year it was produced and make sure no recalls have been issued.
Placement
This may seem obvious, but every year, babies are injured in jumpers that fall off surfaces like tables, countertops, or even a small height, like a slightly elevated outdoor deck. Keep the baby hammock on firm, level ground and away from stairs. While they are designed not to move during operation, this can occur depending on the surface and you should always keep a close eye on them when in use. Always look for a non-slip pad mounted to the bottom of the one you are interested in and make sure it is not wearing down or degrading in any way.
security features
Your hammock should always include the following:
- Safety harness
- Anti-tip features
- Non-slip padding at the bottom.
- Wide base for stability.
safe use
Always make sure to take your baby out of a bouncer every time you move it. Due to moving parts, it is too unstable to carry or lift with the baby inside. Also, they are not designed for the extra weight during transport and this could cause the handle or bars to break with the baby inside.
It is also recommended that you limit your baby’s use to approximately thirty minutes. Different studies have shown that prolonged use could lead to the development of ‘flattened head syndrome’, which basically causes a flat spot to form on the back of the baby’s head. This can remain for a lifetime and prevention is very important! Follow these tips, use common sense, and you and your baby will have a blast with a new bouncer!