Exersaucers: What You Should and Shouldn’t Do

Exersaucers . . . modern-day miracle or menace? Thank goodness they’ve replaced the terrifying walkers flying downstairs, allowing babies to reach stovetops and running over everyone’s toes. Some stores still sell walkers, but please look the other way and pretend you don’t see them. They’ve been completely banned from Canada, and I really wish we would take a lesson from our northern neighbors and ban them here as well.¹

Exersaucers do have advantages, but they also have many disadvantages. It’s helpful that exersaucers are stationary, eliminating many hazards associated with walkers, but some risks still exist.² Exersaucers can actually limit a baby’s development if used too often or too soon.³ When babies are contained, they aren’t developing important skills that will support their milestones. Babies should get as much free movement throughout the day as possible.⁴ However, exersaucers can help a baby develop certain skills and allow parents to keep an eye on their child while taking care of the house and other duties.² So, for those who want to use an exersaucer, how can you keep your child safe in one?

4 Tips for Using Exersaucers

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 And to help ensure their safety, here are some guidelines to follow when using an exersaucer:

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

2. Keep a Close Eye on Them

You should never leave your little one unattended in an exersaucer. Babies can wiggle themselves out of any contraption in the blink of an eye! Exersaucers also have toys attached, so it’s important to monitor your baby when they have access to these items.²

3. Don’t Let Your Baby’s Feet Dangle

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, as this could be detrimental to 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 will naturally go up onto their toes while cruising around furniture, weight-bearing through their toes for long periods of time can put undue pressure on the ligaments and muscles of the feet and cause problems down the road.^2,3,4,6 If baby’s feet don’t quite reach the floor on the lowest setting, place a large book under their feet so they can put them down flat.⁴

4. Limit Their Time in the Exersaucer

Don’t leave babies in exersaucers for longer than 20 minutes a day.³ Some even say to limit this activity 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

The Bottom Line

Exersaucers can be helpful when used appropriately. But you should limit their usage to children in the appropriate age group and make sure you understand their disadvantages.² So, remember to supervise your child when they’re in an exersaucer. Don’t keep them in it for too long, and let your baby roam freely as well because this is very important for their development!⁴