Bumbo Baby Seat Review

Let me be the first to say, I don't understand the hype behind this product.  While I was pregnant with my second son, my mother-in-law saw the Bumbo Baby Seat on a talk show, bought one, and gave it to me because "her grandson needed one."  Why?  Don't babies sit up on their own when they are ready?  Don't doctors always tell you that tummy play is most important?  Can't a baby sit upright in a walker or Exersaucer?  What was special about a Bumbo?

First of all, the Bumbo has won numerous awards.  However, when you look at the individual awards, the majority of them are for being the top new product of 2003 and design awards.  None of these awards attest to it being an indespensible parenting tool.  I still don't see the hype.  Supposedly it is integral in allowing parent-child interaction during play.  I'm not convinced of this.  I think the parent is integral in causing interaction during play.

I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but I have found nothing special about this seat.  My child sits in it.  He plays in it.  I feed him in it.  He does like it.  However, I also just described a ton of other products in my house including his highchair and the floor. 

I know I sound super critical of this product.  I'm just not sure why it is being deemed necessary to raising a baby.  I have yet to attend a baby shower in the last two years that did not have this item on the registry and I don't know why.  Sure, it cleans like a breeze.  And it is nice to have in hotel rooms.  But I'm not sold on it, especially at $40.

It's a nice product.  However, my son's legs get stuck in it when I go to lift him out and he's outgrowing it already, even though the box claims it will be good until the baby is 18 months old (he's 8 months now). 

I really feel that the baby market is becoming over-run with products that are simply not necessary.  My grandmother who is 94 is amazed everytime she visits my house at the baby products that take up space there.  She always reminds me that she didn't even have a changing table for her kids.  That and the fact that my dad's birth cost $40... total.  Hmmmm.... the same as the Bumbo.  How funny.

I did refer it as a product to buy, but that was because I couldn't really come up with a reason to truly dislike this product.  I just think that $40 could be better spent in other places; like diapers for example.  Bottom line:  if you want it, fine, it's a nice product.  However, love and warm cuddles during play work just as well for interaction.