Hi! I am Kailee – Pediatric Physical Therapist and Mama of 2. My mission is to Empower Parents toward Purposeful Play. 

*This article contains affiliate links that support The Movement Mama* 

Did you know there’s a billion dollar industry trying to make you think that you NEED certain toys to put your baby in? So you can be more productive. Work more. Do more. Be back to your “pre-baby” lifestyle. 

But did you also know that placing your baby inside of toys and not on the floor can actually limit development and delay typical milestones? 

I want to be clear – this information is not in any way intended to guilt you for container use, Mama. This information is to empower you with the tools to feel confident in reducing container use moving forward and knowing how to entertain your baby in a realistic way in the future. The more you know, the better you can do. But hear me when I say DO. NOT. DWELL. ON. THE. PAST. Move onward and upward and know that you are the best Mama for your baby! I mean that.  

I would also like to give the disclaimer that COVID is a time unlike any other. You are being asked to do more than you ever should, being both a full-time employee & a full-time Mama. All this while being torn from your support system. I pray this information equips you with ideas to reduce container use. But also know that sometimes it is necessary to just meet your daily requirements. And that is OK. 

What is a “Container”? 

A container is any baby toy meant to keep your child in one spot and entertain them. They are built for convenience and have been allowing mamas to get more done for years (see: the rise of working moms). But you know what is not convenient? Fitting extra PT appointments into your already-busy schedule. Shucking out thousands of dollars for a head-reshaping helmet that insurance does not like to cover. Or spending countless hours worrying about your child being delayed in milestones.  

Do I (a pediatric PT) own some of these items?? AB-SO-LUTELY. But I use them when necessary and for very short periods (<15 minutes TOTAL per day). The reason for this being primarily that children learn through movement and freedom of exploration! Yes, my baby is more preoccupied in a device that holds them in place and sticks toys at less than an arm’s length away. But they are not building new brain connections by encountering different objects and scenery each day. With the rise of baby containers, there has come a spike in developmental delay, attention deficits, and increased childhood obesity—Aka “Container Syndrome”.

So let’s take a look at how we can combat this new diagnosis together. This a safe space for questions and concerns—real life problems that come with not using containers—and freedom to share our triumphs and struggles surrounding this controversial topic. 

Bouncers, Loungers, & Swings

Let me start by saying…my first child NEVER napped independently more than 15 minutes until she was 4 months old. My second child NEVER napped independently more than 25 minutes until he was 3 months old. So I get the need to do whatever you can to get your baby to sleep. Truuuust me. I get it all too well! 

During the first few months of life, you’re desperate for a good nap in whatever way you can get it. Containers are often used to promote longer naps. But here is the PROBLEM: The shape of these baby containers limit head and body movement…leading to Plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome), delayed motor milestones, and difficulty sleeping on a flat surface like their bassinet or crib.  

Here is my SOLUTION: 

Babywearing! From BOTH a sleep and a motor perspective, Babywearing far exceeds in benefits for baby and mama vs Containers.  Babywearing is amazing because it:

• Stimulates milk production for Mama 
• Increases mother-baby bond 
• Regulates heart rate and body temperature for baby 
• Reduces the risk of Postpartum Depression 
• Provides crucial vestibular input for baby that translates to motor skills and movement 
• Encourages upright head control 
• Can be used to stretch baby’s neck muscles if they are exhibiting signs of Torticollis or directional preference 
• May assist with head reshaping from pressures in the wrap on the opposite side of the flat spot 
• Allows mama to be hands-free while still caring for her baby and other siblings 

Some of the days that I have felt the most confident as a mother are the days when I have utilized Babywearing. It can allow me to get a longer nap for babe…to calm my little fussy bub during the witching hour…to fix dinner without worrying my dog is licking my child on the mouth (lol)…to play with my toddler and still keep my newborn close. 

Intimidation surrounding wrapping the carrier is often a reason why Babywearing is not utilized more. You can find tutorials on how to utilize different carriers ​here​. To prevent hip dysplasia, ensure your baby’s knees are always kept higher than their hips (see photo). For a list of my favorite carriers, head to ​this page​. 

Infant Seats 

One of the most common misconceptions I hear as a Pediatric Physical Therapist is that somehow sitting a baby in an infant seat will “teach them to sit up”. But here is the PROBLEM: Not only are babies being put in seats before their ​bodies are developmentally ready​, but they are not being given the opportunity to build the strength for sitting INDEPENDENTLY.  

How To Use Them

The rule of thumb for any container time is 15 minutes or less TOTAL per day for all container use. This is the gold standard, if you will. Will there be days where extreme circumstances call for more container use? Absolutely. But do you have other options on other days?..100%! And that is how I want to encourage you. Not to place shame, but to empower you with more tools to help your baby develop. 

Use Infant seats when your baby is able to prop sit (sit with hands placed down) independently for one minute or more. They can be used for activities like stabilizing their large muscle groups for practicing fine motor activities. Or when they are proficient eaters, use them as high chairs. Maybe you need to sit your baby in one while big sibling’s friends are over to play to keep them safe.  

Here are some fun SOLUTIONS: 

• Sitting in a laundry basket with a Boppy pillow to support them if needed..place safe toys around them and watch them explore the limits of their upright mobility 
• Sit them against a corner with a pillow behind and ​Boppy pillow​ in front with a book to “read” 
• Pull the end couch cushion out slightly and sink their bottom down in the corner just a bit and give them a chew toy while you sit next to them and get some work done 
• Sit them in their stroller with the tray attached and only the lap belt secured, allowing them to engage their abdominal muscles to pull themselves up to sit  
• Create a “pillow pit” with space for them to sit and watch as they teeter totter around in a safe spot 

My goal is to get your baby into the world exploring on their own two feet with a happy mama who feels confident she is the best one for her little love. Because she is, Mama…You are!  

Exersaucers, Walkers, & Jumpers 

All of these items have one thing in common: standing baby before baby stands independently. We know that muscles, bones, and joints are strengthened in response to stress (weightbearing) so what happens if we allow a baby to walk or jump that hasn’t even crawled yet? I guess I would liken it to running a marathon if you had just learned to walk. There is a high risk for injury on immature bones, muscles, and joints.  

But babies loooove these things! Because standing is fun! Standing is what everyone else does. Supported standing is EASY compared to the fine-tuned muscle work required in rolling and crawling and transitioning between sitting and the floor.  

Which is why these can be a PROBLEM. They limit that natural exploration of movement that builds upon itself. For jumpers and walkers, it’s a hard no for me. All of my posts thus far have allowed some time in each container but I will share below WHY I say absolutely not to walkers and jumpers. 

Here are some SOLUTIONS: 

• Standing in an activity table for no more than 15 minutes total per day after they’re able to independently roll and sit—ensure their feet are flat on the bottom by using a folded towel under their feet if need be. They must be able to remain upright without needing you to stuff blankets around them, too 
• Flip over a laundry basket for a great place to transition from hands and knees > high kneeling > stand—this works great as a cheap push toy too!
• Allow them to stand in your lap and bounce to their little heart’s content while you fully support them  
• GIVE THEM FLOOR TIME—-I know we live in an age where people gasp at the idea of a baby on the floor but it’s the single most important factor in ensuring they hit developmental milestones without delay 

You’ve got this, Mama! I believe in you! Consider this my way of giving you permission to declutter your home and just enjoy seeing your baby THRIVE on the floor. Without gadgets and gizmos. Without positioners that push their body beyond their limitations. Just learning and loving! 

Walkers 

When it comes to baby walkers, I URGE you to stop use right now, sister. (I promise it’s because I love you and your babies). I am talking about the kind that you sit your baby in and they have four wheels to propel around. 

Here is why:  

We are now seeing bans on baby walkers in other countries and the AAP is working to establish the same rules in the US.

Babies who are not yet cognitively ready for the mobility that a baby walker provides get into situations like:  

• Falling down stairs 
• Drowning due to walking themselves into a pool 
• Reaching hot stove tops or igniting the gas by being able to reach the knobs
• Pulling dangerous objects down on themselves from counters/tables that are typically out of reach
• Falling out of the walker and being unable to get out 

While some safety standards have been put in place, emergency departments everywhere continue to see injuries related to these containers. And if that wasn’t reason enough, research has also shown that the use of a baby walker can actually DELAY independent walking achievement. From a PT perspective, the child learns atypical walking patterns, isn’t getting valuable floor time, and is at risk for a number of dangerous encounters 

Remember this information is never to guilt you, Mama. If we see a baby product for sale, we automatically assume it is safe. So you can’t be to blame! But let me urge you to think twice before you put your baby in one again. Instead, flip over a laundry basket (way cheaper and often already in your home) and allow your baby to explore independent walking this way! If you’re looking for another solution, try ​The Little Balance Box​, which functions both as a play surface and stable support to learn walking. I’ve linked a few others​ here​, as well, but most either tip when pulling to stand or have poor steering capability IMHO. 

Jumpers

The biggest thing I want you to know is that bone is strengthened in response to 1: muscles pulling on them and 2: weight bearing. The biggest danger in my opinion with jumpers is damage to crucial bones and joints of the lower extremities. Babies that are placed in jumpers often cannot yet stand or walk independently, let alone jump. In this situation, we are placing large jumping forces on the joints that have not even acclimated to the strength and bone density required for standing yet. 

All this to say, you are NOT a bad parent for putting your child in a jumper because this isn’t common knowledge! And many babies love them so I totally get it! I would just encourage you to reduce the time in them significantly or get rid of them altogether. I always say, once you know better, try to do better—but do not beat yourself up over something you were not aware of until now. 

Here is a fun solution if you already have one: Fill a large tub with water and allow baby to “jump” in the water (see below). This reduces the forces on the joint and allows fun freedom of movement and sensory play! 

Final thoughts 

Wow, Mama (or Daddy, or Grandma/Pa)! I commend you if you made it this far! Thanks for being here for your baby in this way! I want to remind you of what an amazing caregiver you are. You were made perfectly for your baby and are doing such a great job. I truly mean that. 

The final thought I will leave you with is: you can only do better when you know better. Now that you have this knowledge, you can prioritize free play for your baby. But you should never feel guilty for the past. I am here for you and would love to have you join me @themovementmama .