It was recently reported in local news that a baby arched his back enough to dislodge him from the Bumbo Baby Sitter he was in while atop a kitchen table and the child toppled backward off the table sustaining a near fatal head injury. The Bumbo has become a very popular first-time seat for babies but if warning labels are disregarded, it can prove to be very dangerous for your child.

One of Bumbo biggest advantages is it allows a soft pre-formed back support for babies as young as three months depending on when they can support their head. The suggested age of use is between six weeks and fourteen months.

One of the unique aspects of the Bumbo design is the fact that it has no safety straps. The baby is secured but the soft concave cup design of the seat that offers critical back support and keeps the baby snug in the seat. The Manufacturer warning labels heed:

Never leave your baby unattended. Never use on a raised or uneven surface, as a car seat, in a bath or in other water. Bumbo^TM is happiest on the floor. Do not use until your baby is fully able to support its head.” ~ Bumbo Baby Sitter Website

The said incident has sparked a lawsuit from the parents, who claim the Bumbo instructions led them to believe it was safe to use up high. Perhaps they have changed their website since the investigation because the report states their site previously included photos of babies sitting in Bumbos on top of a picnic table and written claims that the Bumbo is good on “any level surface.”

I can say from experience that my oldest son was never a Wiggler but our youngest is a Master Wiggler and we had to retire the Bumbo early because he would roll out of it so quickly. So the bottom line, use with caution and keep that Bumbo on the floor.

Sited Links;
Serious Safety Concerns Over Baby Chair
Bumbo Baby Sitter