BAM! BAM! There Goes My Son In His Graco Jumpster
Written: Jun 19 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: FUN! SAFE! Portable
Cons: Removing the cover can be difficult the first few times
The Bottom Line: The Jumpster is a simple product that provides lots of fun for the child and gives Mom and Dad a break at the same time.
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| bootsers's Full Review: Graco Jumpster |
New Moms want and need all the help they can get. When registering for my baby shower, I checked off every contraption I could find that would give me a few extra minutes. One of these times was the Graco Jumpster.
Honey, What Is A Jumpster and Why Do We Have One
Graco's Jumpster can best be described as a baby swing that bounces and is used indoors. Think of the swings for babies on the playground with those crotch straps and that is the basis for the Jumpster. Your baby sits in a padded removable cloth seat. Excited to be in a new environment your baby bounces with glee and realizes he can touch the floor. Joyously he pushes himself and vaults into the air testing a new mom's nerves. Dad then joins in on the fun and swings your son back and forth and makes you question your judgment for marrying him let alone letting him be the father of your children. Frustrated you turn your back and proceed with other tasks. Seconds later hearing your son’s laughter you realize you accomplished your goal with the Jumpster. You have given your child a secure environment to enjoy and you have some time for other things.
But Is It Really Safe
The cloth seat of the Jumpster firmly attaches to a hard plastic base. This base surrounds your child allowing the Jumpster to take the damage when swinging into walls and jambs instead of your child. Shooting up from the base are the three straps that hold your child's weight. Heavy duty, they attach to a plastic circle that brings the straps together for adjustment while also keeping them separate and untangled at your child's level.
Ascending you next get this thick spring that provides your child’s amusement and then these huge clamps. These clamps fit over the door jamb moldings. Attached to the ends of the clamps are plastic buffers, which protect your wall while allowing for a flat secure, fit. Between the spring and the clamps is a lock that keeps the clamps in the closed position. DO NOT try to remove the clamps while in the lock position. You will exhaust all your resources and look foolish when your hubby comes and switches the lock and easily removes the Jumpster.
Age Limit
Another of the pitfalls for this new mom was that I was always ready for my son to do thing before he was. The Graco Jumpster should not be used until you little one has good neck strength and can hold his head up well. My son had terrific neck muscles, so we put him in the Jumpster at four months. MISTAKE! While he could hold his head up fine, his little legs just didn't know what to do and he was bored. It worked great if I needed a secure place to stash my son for a second or two, but he didn't enjoy it much. A baby of six to nine months of age will enjoy this Jumpster so much more.
Vicki's Notes
One of the best features for this Jumpster is the wide tray at the front. It can hold toys, teething rings or food. With my second son this tray came in extremely handy. He had reflux and was continuously spitting up. This tray saved me a lot of clean up time as the tray was easier to clean up than the carpet.
Adjusting the Jumpster for height can be difficult if not impossible when your son is in the Jumpster. When moving the Jumpster to a new location take into account threshold moldings or high carpet or lower hardwood floors. Adjust the Jumpster before your secure your son.
Our Jumpster hardly ever left the doorway. It was easier to slide the clamps over to the side for passage than to remove the clamps and Jumpster after use.
You should never leave your child unattended in the Jumpster. While the Jumpster gives you some hand-off time, you should position the Jumpster in the doorway of the room you will be using.
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Vicki
Location: So. California
Reviews written: 129
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