Boing Baby Boing! (Tippitoes Door Bouncer)

Member Name: sersha

Product:	Tippitoes Door Bouncer
Date:	10/10/05 (2387 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lets baby practise standing up, keeps him/her happy for a while !

Disadvantages: only to be used for 20 mins at a time, a bit tricky to get on and off with one adult

Leah does not sit. She has been anti-sitting since she was three months old, where I realised the only way I could burp her without her complaining was to put her over my shoulder. I think her issue is with bending per se - she seems to have a rather large tummy, and bending in the middle probably just isn't comfortable. Either that or she is just awkward like her mother. Whatever the reason, she prefers to stand, and preferably to bounce. This is fun for both of us for about ten minutes, and then your arms begin to ache...

Hence the bouncer. This is, quite simply, a way for her to stand or bounce without me having to hold her up all the time. She can bounce around with her toes just touching the ground, and her weight supported in the harness. All the fun of standing, with none of the exhaustion factor for her mother.

She got the hang of it after two or three trys, and is now content to bounce herself around in circles and thinks it's hilarious. She's probably already too heavy to make it as a ballerina, so this tippy-toe stuff is probably the closest she will ever get!

You attach the bouncer to the middle of an internal doorframe, get baby into the harness (a bit like putting on a pair of trousers, but with a snap clip) and then transfer the baby in the harness onto the bouncer. There are two loops that you put arms through, and then simply slot the top of the loops into the balancing bar, which is hanging from your doorframe.

I do find it easier with another person around to help me, but it's not that hard to manage it yourself, which is a plus point compared to some other bouncers which look like they require a technology degree to set up. The whole thing comes apart into sections, and stores neatly away without taking up too much space (i.e. you can shove it under the sofa and forget about it.)

The harness is padded with foam, which keeps baby comfortable and also makes sure that he or she cannot overheat if they get carried away with a big bouncing session! I was initially a bit worried about the safety aspects of bouncers, which is why it was important to me to choose a well known and respected make. The tippitoes one has passed lots of strict safety tests (for example, the straps are not close enough to ever come in contact with your baby's face.)

It is suitable for up to 20 minutes at a time, or until baby gets bored, whichever comes first. It's NOT safe to leave your baby in the bouncer unattended.

When your baby is old enough to find bouncing a mediocre hobby, you can use the bouncer as a baby walker by holding the balancing bar and letting baby practise their first steps!

The harness is washable at 30 degrees.

Best price I could find: Tesco, £19.99



Technical info: check before you buy:
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This bouncer is suitable for babies of 3 months plus, if they can support their own head, up to a weight of 12kg/26lbs. Leah grew out of hers at about 7 months, but she has always been a large baby so I imagine on average you would get slightly longer than this out of it.

The bouncer must be used on an interior doorframe only. The walls must be at least 10cm thick and no more than 17cm. The doorway opening must be a minimum of 75cm. There must be a permanent secure level architrave at least 1.5cm wide on each side.

Summary: A good quality door bouncer that's lots of fun for babies