To Bumbo , or not to Bumbo..

Everyone I have seemed to talk to about things that I should buy for the baby suggested a Bumbo.. "a what ? " I said."What is that ?".

2 oz dark rum
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 tsp grenadine syrup
1/4 tsp grated nutmeg

???

Nope, not that Bumbo . This bumbo...

The Bumbo , described as "the World's First and only seat for babies who are not yet able to sit up on their own". The world's first ? Maybe. The only ? Definitely not. Like many items, it has been duplicated and changed and adapted by many other companies.

Example : bébéPOD

Now, I do remember last year the Bumbo chairs being recalled. Not because of unsafe paint or whatever. It seemed more like a patent problem. Babies were easily tipping the chair from whatever it was placed on (the floor, the table, a couch). And of course, most of it was blamed on the idiot parents that didn't supervise their children properly. Which is true, some parents find that assurance that the product has been tested rigorously and they fall into that false sense of security. Why would stores sell it if it wasn't safe , right? And then there are those that are so tired and in desperate need of "me" time, that they put the baby in the chair, and take a break. Sometimes, it's not even to break. Sometimes its to get the phone, or to stop the pot from boiling over, or to put the laundry in the dryer. It's always "I'll just be a minute"....

Then, of course, the parents fired back because they weren't idiots, most of them had their babies in view, but didn't reach them in time to catch them from falling. That is true too. Accidents happen so fast sometimes..Even before you can register what is happening. When the number of accidents grow..nationwide.. and the injuries (from bruises to fractures), of course it is time to say "maybe it's not so safe". After all, Betty who lives two blocks away from Jenny might have the same chair. Betty's child has never fell, and she still lives in that false sense of security. Jenny's child has suffered sever fractures and she probably will never use that chair again. Many people were up in arms about the "recall". Why recall the item because of less that 30 stupid parents ?? Well, awareness. To shake people like Betty out of their false sense of security.

Is it right to blame those parents then ? Call them stupid and bad parents ? But then you see ads like these (above). A happy mother feeding her happy little baby on a table top. Wait... I thought that the Bumbo people said you shouldn't put the chair on elevated surfaces ?? What the hell do they call a table top then ? How many parents do you think saw these pictures and got the bumbo for that exact reason. How many parents do you think, too this chair home and reacted what they saw in this picture ? No matter what it said on the box. There is blame on both sides. Both sides do have a valid point. What do we get out of that. Well, I can't speak for you, but as for me, it gives me perspective. I really need to be aware of the things I buy for my child (an other children). It is not as hard as you think. A quick google search and you can find reviews of the items from real parents, not the fancy shmancy gimmicks that these companies use to try to get your hard earned dollar. You can find information, and useful advice. Shake yourself out of the dreamland. Just because it is out there, doesn't mean it is safe. Do your research beforehand. Don't fall into trends. Wait until the trend is over. Find out if it really is worth it.

I haven't tried the Bumbo. I've heard good and bad things about it. As far as me buying one... probably not. Not because of all the recall stuff.. I mean, your kid could break its head off of anything these days. It could ingest lead from anything it sticks into its mouth. It's food could be tainted with salmonella or something.. It's the sour side of life. I wouldn't get it mainly because of the price. That, and the no head support thing kinda makes me worry a bit. And, I guess the fact that there is very little leg room. So I mean, If I have a little fat baby it would be totally out of the question. I'm not being funny. I was trolling Kijiji and that is the reason why most of the parents are selling them. That, and their short shelf life,I guess. I mean, how long could you really use it for ? Nah, I'll probably be frugal and just buy a high chair that I can get lots of use out of.

Or, you know...use the car seat that I HAD to buy even though I don't own a car...