Not all baby gear is created equal. As a pediatric occupational therapist and mom of three, here are the baby devices I never used with my own children – and the simple, affordable alternatives that work so much better.
Baby Gear to Avoid
1. Baby Floor Seats (Bumbo-style seats)
Why to avoid:
- Baby gear like seats props babies into sitting before they have the core strength
- Places baby’s pelvis into posterior tilt (pelvis tilts backwards), causing spine and shoulders to hunch forward- promotes bad sitting posture
- Prevents natural movement and weight shifting
- Can delay all other milestones such as army crawling and hands-and-knees crawling because now baby just wants to sit up and see caregivers’ faces
Better alternative:
- Prior to learning how to sit independently babies must master transitioning from lying on belly to sitting (We will learn this essential skill in WeeThrive’s early development classes!)
- Once baby knows how to get into sitting on their own, let baby practice sitting on the floor with pillows around them for safety
- They’ll wobble and fall – that’s exactly what builds strength!
- Tripod sitting (sitting with hands forward for support) is a natural stage
2. Baby Swings and Bouncers
Why to avoid:
- Semi-reclined position limits movement of the head, neck, arms, core, hips, etc.
- Reduces floor time where development happens
- Can become a crutch for parents and babies- babies become more accustomed to lounging chairs than the floor and become distressed when placed on the floor for tummy time!
- Minimal muscle engagement, limited sensory development, delays future milestones such as sitting, crawling, and walking
Better alternative:
- Purchase a small portable play mat that you can move around the house with you, so baby can get ample tummy time while you do the dishes, get dressed, etc.
- Baby-proofed floor space with engaging toys
- Limit use to 15-20 minutes max (only twice a day)
3. Exersaucers and Activity Centers
Why to avoid:
- Baby gear like standing activity centers place babies in standing position before they’re ready
- Often forces babies onto tippy-toes
- Limits exploration and movement- babies need to spend most of the day on the floor rolling, getting into and out of sitting, army crawling, etc.
- Can delay future milestones like crawling and walking
Better alternative:
- Floor play with various, age appropriate toys (i.e. ball and car ramps, pop up toys, books with buttons and sounds, wooden blocks, nesting cups.)
- Let baby pull up on sturdy furniture when they’re ready
- Create stations around the room for crawling practice
4. Baby Walkers (Including Push-behind or Suspended Sitting with Wheels Walkers)
Why to avoid:
- Encourages walking before body is ready (Baby is lacking proper core strength, midline orientation, vestibular/proprioceptive development, balance, and coordination)
- Extremely dangerous (Sitting walkers with wheels are linked to serious baby injuries; these walkers are outlawed in Canada)
- Can create poor walking patterns (i.e. Push behind walkers encourages the baby to flex torso forward- unnatural walking posture)
Better alternative:
- Furniture cruising (walking along couch, coffee table)
- Before babies can walk independently they need to master stationary standing without assistance and also squatting up and down to increase leg strength and balance
[FREE Motor Milestone Checklist so you never miss an important milestone!]
What You Actually Need Instead: The Simple Setup
0-6 months: ✓ Clean, safe floor space ✓ Soft blanket or play mat ✓ Age-appropriate toys (rattles, high-contrast books, mirrors) ✓ Your interaction and encouragement
6-12 months: ✓ Larger floor space for rolling and crawling ✓ Various textured toys to explore ✓ Books, balls, stacking toys ✓ Sturdy furniture to pull up on (when ready)
12+ months: ✓ Safe exploration space ✓ Climbing toys like Pikler triangle or Nugget couch ✓ Ride-on toys and early balance bikes
The One “Developmental Tool” I Do Recommend
If I had to choose one larger item that’s actually beneficial: The Nugget Couch or similar foam play couch.
Why it works:
- Builds motor skills at every age (i.e. crawling up inclines, pulling up into tall kneel, half-kneel, standing activities)
- Babies/toddlers do the work themselves
- Promotes creativity and imaginative play
- Grows with your child (my kids use it ages 1-6!)
The Bottom Line: Less Baby Gear, More Movement
The best “baby gear” is actually no gear at all – just a safe floor, some engaging toys, and your loving interaction.
Your baby doesn’t need expensive devices. They need:
- Freedom to move
- Safe space to explore
- Your encouragement
- Ample time to develop naturally
Save your money, skip the devices, and trust your baby’s natural developmental process!
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