The Bottom Line
- Allows baby to sit up and see what's going on at an early age.
- Easily washable.
- Portable and lightweight.
- Baby may not enjoy the seat once he or she is mobile.
- Older babies can arch their backs and tip out of the seat.
- Some packaging shows Bumbo Seats being used on tables or counters, which is not safe.
Description
- One-piece, low-density foam seat for babies.
- Weight limit is 22 pounds.
- Can be used as soon as baby has sufficient neck strength to hold up head.
- Weighs about 3 pounds.
- Retail price about $40.
- Comes in lilac, blue, aqua, lime green and yellow.
Guide Review - Bumbo Seat
The Bumbo Seat is made of low-density foam with a smooth plastic-type covering, so it's soft but supportive, and is easy to wipe clean after feedings or general baby messes. The foam is lightweight so the Bumbo Seat is easy to carry with you outside the house.
As soon as baby can hold up his or her head, the Bumbo Seat can be used. The seat is designed to help baby have good sitting posture right from the start. There are no straps to hold the baby in, which concerns some parents, but the seat is made so that baby's bottom is lower than his or her legs, so baby's weight is centered in the bottom of the seat. A front post keeps baby from sliding forward. Once baby is able to arch his or her back a lot, it's possible that your baby can tip out of the seat. The Bumbo Seat itself is not tipsy, whether baby is in the seat or not, thanks to a wide, flat base.
This seat also offers another alternative to tummy time for younger babies. If baby doesn't like tummy time, the Bumbo seat may be a more pleasant way to keep baby from laying on his or her back too much.
A recall of Bumbo Seats was initiated in 2007 because some parents used the seats on high surfaces and their babies were injured by falling from a counter or table. The recall involved adding more warning labels about using the seat on high surfaces or leaving baby unattended. Do not use Bumbo Seats on high surfaces or leave your baby unattended. I recommend the Bumbo Seat for use on the floor only.
