Exersaucers can feel like a helpful baby gear solution when you need a safe place for your baby to play while you stay nearby. Unlike baby walkers, exersaucers are stationary, which removes some of the safety concerns associated with walkers.1,2
However, exersaucers are still not something babies should use too soon or for long periods. Too much time in one can limit free movement, which babies need for strength, coordination, and milestone development.3,4
So, are exersaucers good for babies? They can be useful in moderation when your baby is developmentally ready, properly positioned, closely supervised, and given plenty of floor time outside the exersaucer.
Key Takeaways
- Exersaucers are stationary, which makes them safer than traditional baby walkers.1,2
- Babies should not use an exersaucer too early or before they are developmentally ready.3
- Your baby’s feet should be flat and supported, not dangling or forced onto their toes.2,3,4
- Limit exersaucer time to about 15 to 20 minutes per day.3,4
- Babies still need plenty of free movement and floor time for healthy development.3,4
Benefits and Drawbacks of Exersaucers
Many parents wonder whether exersaucers help or hinder development, and the answer is a little more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Exersaucers are not necessarily bad, but they should be used carefully and in moderation.
If you do want to use an exersaucer for your baby, it’s important to play with them while they’re in it.2 Get down to your baby’s eye level and read, talk, and play with them. The extra stimulation is beneficial for their development.5
Related: 15 Fun Ways To Engage and Play With Your Baby
When Can Babies Use an Exersaucer?
Age alone should not be the only deciding factor. Some babies may seem interested around 4 months, but they also need enough head, neck, trunk, and leg strength to be positioned safely. Many pediatric occupational therapists recommend waiting until your baby is pulling to stand before using an exersaucer because their legs and feet are better prepared to bear weight.3
Exersaucer Safety Tips
If you choose to use an exersaucer, a few simple precautions can help make the experience safer and more developmentally appropriate for your baby.
1. Wait Until Baby Is Developmentally Ready
Parents should wait until their baby is 4 months old before using an exersaucer. Once a baby is developmentally ready, exersaucers can help build core strength and balance skills.2
However, you shouldn’t use an exersaucer until your baby is naturally pulling themselves up to stand. The tiny bones, muscles, and ligaments of their feet and legs aren’t ready to bear weight until they’re standing on their own.3
Parents should wait until babies are pulling up to stand in their crib or on furniture before putting them in an exersaucer.3
Related: Baby Milestones Month by Month
2. Always Supervise Your Baby
You should never leave your little one unattended in an exersaucer. Babies can move in unexpected ways, so close supervision is important whenever they are using an exersaucer. Many exersaucers also have toys attached, so it’s important to monitor your baby when they have access to these items.2
3. Make Sure Baby’s Feet Are Supported
You don’t want to use an exersaucer if the baby’s feet don’t reach the base or the floor underneath it. Babies shouldn’t dangle from the sling because this may place unnecessary stress on their hips, and babies shouldn’t bear weight through their toes because they can’t get their feet flat on the floor.2,3,4
While babies naturally go up onto their toes while cruising around furniture, prolonged weight-bearing on their toes can put undue pressure on the feet’s ligaments and muscles, leading to problems later.2,3,4,6 If baby’s feet don’t quite reach the floor on the lowest setting, place a firm, stable surface under their feet so they can put them down flat.4
Ideally, babies should be able to place their feet flat and comfortably bear weight through their whole foot rather than just their toes.
Related: 4 Facts Doctors Wish Parents Understood About Hip Dysplasia in Babies
4. Limit Time in the Exersaucer
Don’t leave babies in exersaucers for longer than 20 minutes a day.3 Some experts recommend limiting exersaucer time to 15 minutes per day. This is because babies shouldn’t be stationary for too long.4
During alert playtime, they should get as much free movement as possible, rather than being limited to one position.3,4
Related: Benefits of Tummy Time for Newborns and Babies
The Bottom Line
Exersaucers can be helpful for short periods when your baby is developmentally ready, properly positioned, and closely supervised. They are not a replacement for floor time, tummy time, crawling practice, or free movement.
If you choose to use one, keep sessions short, make sure your baby’s feet are supported, and balance exersaucer time with plenty of movement throughout the day. When in doubt, ask your pediatrician or pediatric occupational therapist what is best for your baby’s stage of development.
