SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR BABY REGISTRY: FOUR COMMON ITEMS NOT REGISTER WORTHY
Preparing for a new little person is both exciting and overwhelming. Everyone has an opinion on what you need, including the baby product industry, which is currently valued at $215 Billion and projected to grow. So, take it from a pediatric physical therapist, who sees both the benefits and the aftermath of baby product choices, less is more!
1-BABY JUMPER: mounted in doorways or freestanding these devices can be fun but are often developmentally stunting.
Bouncers promote poor motor patterns & can lead to delays in crawling and walking, poor protective/safety responses, and ankle tightness that can promote future toe walking.
2- RING STANDER & RING WALKER: there is a saying “walk before you can run”, but developmentally “sit before you stand” comes first. There is no reason to stand a baby before he or she can sit independently or walk a baby before they can stand independently.
Standers and walkers will not help your baby walk sooner and sometimes the opposite. Standing before sitting can create a scoliosis posture for babies whose trunk control is not ready & delay a baby’s ability to protect their heads when they start to fall over in sitting.
INSTEAD of jumpers of standers & walkers invest in a quality baby gate & a push toy. They will be used longer, prompt exportation, postural and balance development.
3-MOST BABY SEATS: keeping your baby in a seat to run a bath or take a car ride are often necessary for safety, but there can be too much of a good thing
Too much time sitting in supportive seating (including car seats) can create a flat head resulting in a need for a helmet, or a pelvic position that interferes with a baby’s ability to sit independently.
INSTEAD try a boppy-style pillow. They are great for a moment of supported reclining, around the hips for supportive sitting & breast feeding or skin to skin time. It is more versatile and prevents bad motor habits and poor alignment.
4- TABLETS: maybe you did not register for it, but it seems most babies get one. Ask any therapist or teacher no good comes from a baby with hand held technology.
Talk to any speech and language pathologist and they will tell you tablets delay speech; they also decrease attention and can even alter baby’s vision. Babies should be moving through space and exploring, vocally reciprocating with their family, NOT learning early how to Netflix & chill.
INSTEAD grab some cause-and-effect music toy, a baby mirror & baby books. These will aid in cognitive development instead of potentially stunting language, motor & visual development.
The moral of the story is that baby containers are convenient and sometimes necessary, but overall, less is more. Skip the big bulky equipment and technology instead opt to encourage your baby to move, explore, communicate, and play. All you need is a safe space on the floor with some toys and mommy-daddy-grandparent-sibling & baby time.
With Luck, Love & Light! XO Rachel