Hi!
I have a nine month old son who is very tall. He has a jumperoo and an exersaucer which he loves. Unfortunately, he is flat footed in both toys even at the highest level which is a no no according to the instructions. Did anyone follow these instructions and stop using the toys at that stage? Also, if you know of any other similar type toys for children who are taller but not independent standers or walkers that would be great. My son loves to stand and jump. I just cannot hold him all day and these toys really solved the problem.
Thanks
I just let my kiddos pull up and play on the outside of their saucer. IMHO, continued confinement could hinder development. Teach him to play on the floor- or if you need to put him down safely while you're making dinner or something- use a play yard.
For great, developmentally appropriate toys check out www.discoverytoys.com/melissa_hall
The Bounce and Spin Zebra is GREAT!! My son is 20 months and still loves it!! It is seriously the best toy! It's on 30ish dollars!
I have a very tall 18 month old that was VERY into his jumperoo! Such a saving grace. We used it until he developmentally out-grew it, even though he was "too-tall" for it. The main thing we were concerned with were the weight perameters, which he was just starting to reach when he lost his interest. I don't really have any suggestions for alternatives, just keep an eye on him while he's in it if you have concerns.
Hope this eases some of your worries.
My dd LOVED her jumperoo too. When she got too big for it, we bought her a walk behind toy. It wasn't anything too expensive. It's from Playskool and I think it was only about $20.00. It took her a few days to figure out how to walk behind it. You can also try a walker. I know some people are anti-walker, but I know lots of people that find them incredibly useful. My dd would play with her exersaucer, but only from the outside. We didn't have to put her in it. She figured out she could pull herself up on the outside and still play with the toys. She wasn't an independant stander when she started doing that. Good luck to you!!! I hope you can figure something out.
Well, you definitely shouldn't have to be holding him all day, so if that's what's happening when he's not in them, then don't give in to him. Distract him with toys or something. He's probably just plain too old for these toys you are talking about. Both of my kids were walking at 10 months, and I don't think I used the saucer or jumping johnny much past 6 or 7 months. You have to allow them to use that energy to learn how to get around independently. If the only time he's really having a good time is when he's in those two toys, then you need to teach him other ways to have fun. Get him some toys he can walk behind while holding onto. Just put the jumper and saucer away. My son LOVED to stand and jump too, LOVED IT!! But, he found ways to keep himself busy without needing those other things. Yours will too if you just let him. Teach him how to pull himself up to the couch. Kneel beside him and move yourself up and down, see if he'll mimic you. You can make a game of it. Move your head to one side, then the other, stuff like that to interact with him and teach him other ways to have fun. Put him on the floor and put a toy about 10 feet from you both on the floor, say "one two three GO" and crawl beside him to it like you're racing him. Kids LOVE that stuff. Get out some books, there are SO many ways for him to be spending his time at that age that are so much more beneficial to him than being stuck in a jumping johnny or saucer. Remember, he's just a few short months away from being a toddler, so start making his toys appropriate for that stage. He will blossom like you wouldn't believe!!
