Babies can suffer head and limb injuries when using baby exercise jumpers that have not been properly secured or cannot support enough tension. Make sure you buy a baby exercise jumper that can be securely attached to a door frame and has strong, secure laces.
About baby exercise jumpers
A baby exercise jumper is a suspended sling style seat hanging from a spring and/or rubber cable that is clamped above a door frame. The baby bounces in the seat by pushing with their feet against the floor.
Risks and injuries
Babies using an exercise jumper can suffer:
- limb and head injuries after falling if the laces snap under tension or if the baby is not securely strapped into the harness
- injuries to fingers if they become trapped or pinched in the springs and chains on the jumper
- delays in learning to walk if they repeatedly spend periods of 15 minutes or longer in the jumper.
Injuries have occurred when:
- a baby has lurched sideways into the doorway frame, or has been pushed by another young child
- the laces have snapped under the tension of a bouncing baby and caused them to fall.
Buying tips
- Look for a strong independent frame or a secure device for attaching the jumper to a door frame, to ensure it won’t fall off while the baby is jumping.
- Check that strong, secure laces are sewn into the crotch strap and threaded through the waist strap to avoid them snapping and causing the baby to fall.
- Child safety experts do not recommend baby exercise jumpers, stationary play centres are suggested as a safer alternative.
Safe use
- Ensure the baby is securely fitted and strapped into the harness so the baby won’t fall out while jumping.
- Only use exercise jumpers for short periods.
- Always supervise jumper use to prevent falls, bumping into walls, the doorframe or other objects.
- Check the laces regularly to ensure they are not worn and will not snap under the baby’s weight.
- Cover exposed springs and chains to stop the baby’s fingers from being trapped or pinched.