Playpen recommendation and jumeroo rainforest fisher price

really interesting thread - i was actually just checking out the bumbo chair online to buy it, thinking its genius and uve put me right off - thanks ladies! sorry to hijack the thread but any good developmental toys you recmmend - for newborns? so many things come out and then are frowned upon its just so hard to make the right decision!

Again...a quick and superficial search, but here are the first few links that came up: http://tiny.cc/9t87dw http://tiny.cc/7v87dw http://tiny.cc/kx87dw http://tiny.cc/tz87dw Some say they are safe, some not...but there's some information to ponder. I'm a firm believer that we can't cotton wool our kids from all of the risks and hazards out there, but we can make sure we are as informed as possible and try to make the best decisions we can based on the available information.

...and to put another possible damper on it all... I read here somewhere about chemicals leaching out of those big 'rubber' mats. By the time I read it, we had stopped using ours so I'm afraid I don't remember the details. I do remember wishing we hadn't used them! I'll go and have a quick look and see what I can find...

... Thank you green-ish for the advise. I did some reading yesterday on jumperoo and it was all positive but you have given me the scare so not sure if i want to buy it anymore. Can you suggest how to keep a 6 month old toddler entertained? I thought playpen could be helpful more like a big baby den where lo can play with toys, roll over etc.. Hi again sherryd. Here's just one discussion I found on a rather superficial 'google'... http://windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=164314 A quote from that... [i'>"I'm a pediatric physical therapist, and I've posted many things on this board when people have asked for advice about saucers...many of those same principles apply to jumpers. In fact, I'm even less a fan of jumpers (of any type) than I am of saucers. They can encourage tip toe standing, as well as an abnormal movement pattern known as "extensor thrust." They can put quite a bit of stress on the baby's spine, pelvis, and legs. They encourage a lordotic (sway backed) posture as well. It just isn't good in general from a postural standpoint. They can encourage muscle imbalances that can lead to postural issues down the road as well. Additionally, any time you use a "device" like a saucer, walker, and jumper, it can negatively impact the acheivement of gross motor milestones. Limiting the use to less than 20 mins per day helps, but personally I am not a fan of any of these contraptions. We don't own any of them, and when I was working, we actually had pamphlets that we handed out to families with research on the topic. I worked w/ a pediatric physical therapist when I was an intern, and she and her husband (a pediatric orthopedic surgeon BTW) were very very anti "device" of any kind (saucers, walkers and jumpers). That is how I got interested in the topic. I actually did a bulletin board for a pediatrician's office when I was a student that included research info on saucers, walkers and jumpers. The pediatrician was a friend of theirs and fortunately was very well informed. Most pediatricians don't know much about the topic. I know many people say their kids used these devices and are "just fine," but personally, I won't chance it with my own kid nor would I recommend their use to any parent who asks. For those who insist on using them, I would absolutely limit their use to less than 20 mins per day, but since you asked, I would recommend against their use as would every single pediatric physical therapist I know. Since you asked ;)" [/i'> I have a friend here who's a physio and she's the one who first opened my eyes to the possible negatives of jumperoos, walkers, bumbo seats etc. Essentially, I've always been told that babies and toddlers should be allowed to do things as they are developmentally ready to do them...not put in 'contraptions' that hold them in those positions before the whole body is ready to support in that position. How did I entertain my 6 month olds??...lots of hands on time, play on a large carpet, reading stories, listening to soothing music, few quiet toys that don't over-stimulate (I also loathe bells, whistles, batteries and light shows ;) ) and ensuring plenty of rest, back to sleep before they were over tired. :D <em>edited by Green-ish on 13/05/2012</em>

Hi Sherryd - I'd sell it for around 450 Dhs. I think it cost me around 700 Dhs brand new and I bought it 3 months ago. It is in perfect condition. Thanks

SherryD, when my DD was 6/7 months I bought those big foam play mats (from Ace) and put a few different toys on them for her to play with. Some soft toys, some noisy, some light up ones.... I found that the more musical the better in DDs case. The foam mats were strategically placed in the centre of the room so DD still felt she was part of the action even though she was not getting direct attention. Worked for us, now we have moved villas and DDs mats with toys are over in a corner, she quite happily toddles off there and plays herself. I contemplated a play pen but decided to put a stair gate on the stairs and make sure we closed the door to the kitchen and other rooms so she has maximum space to walk about/play. I also feel that the jumperoo benefited DD rather than hindered her. She just wanted the freedom at 7 months when she wanted to crawl everywhere.

We had a jumperoo type thing that hung from the door frame from Mothercare - only around 150 dirhams. DH LOVED his from around 5 - 7/8 months and probably would have used it longer but he was too heavy for it! He loved being active in it and jumping up and down, and also used to kick balls with us in it...hilarious. I do think it helped strengthen his legs - they are super strong and he started walking solidly at 11 months, but this could just be when he was going to walk naturally as well.

Hi Ladies, On the jumperoo - I think they are great and my LO absolutely adored hers but I do agree, after about 7 months she did lose interest when she started crawling because she wanted to be free to move above and not restricted to a single toy. I definitely think the jumperoo helped strengthen her legs and I don't see any harm in using them in moderation. My LO used to have around 5-10mins in hers at a time and she would happily just 'hang' in hers and play with the toys. She loved it because she felt active in it rather than just lying down all day. I have one if anyone would like to buy it so as to save money because it will become obsolete by the time your LO is crawling.

I saw a fairly large playpen at Babyshop MOE. Greenish, i didnt know that about the jumparoos, was also thinking of getting one. Will now do some reading.

Hi sherryd...things do get a whole lot more challenging around the six months mark! :D Is there a particular reason you want a playpen? Would it be possible/practical to make a larger area safe for her to explore then use doorway and stair gates to block off rooms you want her to steer clear of? On the jumperoo...have you read much about them? All of those gadgets that help young babies sit, stand and bounce get them doing things before their bodies are developmentally and physically ready - many experts believe they are not good for babies' hip and spine development. Six to twelve months is a tough phase for the little ones as they become aware that they can move and they want to get moving and exploring...but they tire easily and get frustrated by their physical limitations.

Hello ladies Lo is 6 months old and she is getting bored with swing and play mat and needs more entertainment. I am looking into two things for her 1 a huge playpen that can last her for long. Any recommendation where i can find one or is anyone selling ? I saw in ace and just kidding but its fairly small i feel and is useful only for few months i believe. I believe online i can buy but prefer to get it from dubai as soon as possible. 2: i was thinking of buying this weekend jumperoo rainforest from fisher price for her. Can you share your experience with this. Is this better or is the baby einstein activity and discover centre better? SherryD, i wouldnt bother with a jumperoo. DD loved hers from 4-8 months.... once she started crawling she wasnt interested in being "contained" in anything. Its quite expensive (around 600Dhs) for a few months entertainment. RE: playpens. I saw one in babies r us that was either a pen or a room divider. have you got a section of a room that can be divied off to give your little one more space?