What are baby containers?
Baby gear/contraptions/containers all refer to a piece of equipment that puts a baby into a position and keeps them there. Gear like a swing, bouncer, exersaucer, jumper, or Bumbo. Most of this gear puts baby into a position they are not yet ready to maintain on their own and can not get into/out of on their own - meaning it’s not developmentally appropriate for them.
Containers prevent a baby from moving in and out of positions naturally. Developmentally speaking, the devices pictured above, generally put babies into positions their little bodies are not yet ready for and they prevent baby from freely moving.
Why to avoid baby containers
Containers restrict movement. A baby's body learns how to move by experiencing movement. Natural movement happens on the floor or a flat surface. The absence of gear or devices, like those shown above, allow baby’s body to learn how to move through trial and error. These experiences are how the nervous, muscular, and sensory systems will build coordinated movement patterns going forward. It’s how baby will learn to move and how they’ll build on the skills of tummy time to accomplish rolling, sitting, and crawling.
We realize many people have some of these items in their home. It is not our intention to shame or judge anyone’s use of these items but instead to educate about the benefits of playing outside of these devices. If you have some of these, just try to limit the amount of total time your baby spends in a container to less than an hour and a half per day.
Check out our new parent hacks blog on how to use less restrictive gear to give you ideas for what to do with your baby while you get your daily chores done or tend to older siblings.
What to use instead of containers
Our top products that encourage natural baby development all allow for baby to freely move through different positions and engage in trial and error learning.
Our top picks:
Click each bold word for a link on where to buy one yourself
Blanket:
A blanket allows baby to have a clean space to play on the floor. A firm, flat surface is best as babys practice all of their tummy time, rolling, reaching, kicking, sitting, crawling, and all of the million other little milestones that go in between. A blanket is small and easy to have in the diaper bag or car so you can throw it down and let baby play when you need to get things done. Finding it in your diaper bag when you’re on the go is also a nice reminder do more floor play throughout your busy day. Also keep one handy in the living room or somewhere that you spend a lot of time with baby during the day.
Foam floor tiles:
Similar to the blanket, the foam floor tiles give baby a nice clean space to play. We like the tiles because they’re great for homes that only have hardwood floors. They’re softer for baby to play on and for parents to lay or be on their knees with baby down low. The tiles are easily wiped clean when baby spits up and don’t add to the ever growing pile of laundry. They also give baby a
bigger place to play on the floor as they become
more mobile.
Floor gym:
This is a great toy to engage baby in looking, reaching, kicking and trying to activate toys or activities while playing on the floor. They can be used when baby is playing on his/her back, in tummy time, and when baby is working on sitting.
I like the Ikea play gym because it’s easy to wipe down and I can add/change toys to hang easily. It also fits inside the Pack ‘n Play for easy baby entertainment when you need to grab a quick shower. (this is not sponsored, just a little mom wisdom I feel compelled to share)
This gives baby a nice safe area to still practice their movement skills when you may need them to be contained because you’re making dinner, taking a shower, or protecting baby from bigger siblings or pets. Placing baby in the Pack ‘n Play is a really great alternative to placing them into a bouncer, exersaucer, Bumbo, or jumper because it allows their body to move in a way that they are developmentally and physically ready to move.
Another great way to keep baby happy in the Pack ‘n Play is to hang toys from linking rings around the top rail so they have something to reach for and look at. This works for a baby who is still learning to roll, a baby who is playing in sitting, and a baby who is learning to pull to stand or cruise.
Baby carrier or wrap:
The carrier is a wonderful piece of baby gear because it allows baby to be close to you for comfort and soothing. It gives baby nice sensory input while moving through the world with you and allows baby to not get left in the infant car seat carrier while out running errands or getting some chores done around the house.
Now some people will argue that the carrier doesn’t allow for baby to freely move. While they’re technically correct, we wanted to give you the most natural option for keeping baby close and safe if they’re not on the floor.
Curious how to use these more natural non-container suggestions to get through your day? Check out our New Parent Hacks blog for how to do it!
Now that you know WHY to avoid restrictive baby gear, WHAT to use instead, and HOW to get your life stuff done, you’re well on your way to supporting healthy, happy baby development in your little one. Drop us a comment below if you’ve found other creative ways to get things done while keeping your baby in natural developmental positions.
-Bree
*We participate in the Amazon Affiliates Program. If you click on some of the links above and buy the product, we earn a small referral fee without any additional cost to you. These products are genuinely our favorites as therapists and moms. We won’t recommend anything we haven’t tried or don’t fully stand behind.
We’re Jaclyn & Bree
Pediatric therapists and moms with a mission to empower you with knowledge to encourage your baby’s development and continue confidently into your parenthood journey.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below and we will get back to you. As always, the information we share is meant to provide general education and tips and is not intended as medical advice. If you have a specific question or concern about your child’s development, please speak directly to your child’s doctor or therapist.