Not All Baby Gear Is Created Equal: A Pediatric PT’s Perspective
Walk through any baby store or scroll through social media and you’ll see an overwhelming amount of baby gear promising to make parenting easier. Swings, loungers, walkers, bouncers, jumpers, sit-me-up seats… the list goes on. And while many of these products are marketed as "developmental" or "supportive," the reality is that not all baby gear is created equal.
As a pediatric physical therapist, I see the effects of these products every single day—often long after the baby stage. That’s because the gear we choose during a baby’s first year can significantly influence how they move, grow, and hit their developmental milestones. Let’s break it down a bit.
Why Baby Gear Matters
The first year of life is a period of incredible growth and neurological development. Babies are learning to lift their heads, roll, sit, crawl, pull to stand, and eventually walk. All of these skills are built on a foundation of active movement and exploration.
That means the more opportunities babies have to move freely on the floor, the better they learn to use and coordinate their muscles, build strength, and develop balance.
When babies spend extended time in restrictive gear, think containers like swings, bouncers, or upright seats, they’re often placed in positions they’re not developmentally ready for. This can lead to:
Delayed gross motor skills (like rolling, crawling, or walking)
Poor core strength
Flattened head shape (plagiocephaly)
Increased muscle tightness or weakness
A reduced desire to move and explore independently
To be clear: Using baby gear occasionally is not harmful. Parents need safe spaces to place their babies while they shower, cook, or just take a breath. The concern arises when this gear is used for prolonged periods every day—especially if it replaces time that could be spent on the floor exploring freely.
Common Offenders: Gear to Watch Out For
Here are a few common products that may seem helpful, but can actually hinder development when overused:
Travel High Chair Seats & Infant Positioners
These seats prop babies in a sitting position before they’ve developed the core strength to do it on their own. While it may look like they’re “sitting,” they’re often slouched, bearing weight through their spine rather than using their muscles to stay upright.
What to do instead: Try placing baby in a laundry basket lined with a towel or small pillow, and add a few favorite toys. It gives them just enough support while still allowing for natural movement, balance reactions, and exploration. A perfect in-between as they build the strength and coordination to sit on their own!
Exersaucers & Jumpers
These devices place babies in upright positions with their toes often barely touching the ground. Babies can bounce or spin, but the movement is usually uncontrolled and doesn’t support normal motor development. Plus, they can place excess stress on the hips and ankles.
What to do instead: Try floor play or encourage supported standing with your hands or a low surface when baby is developmentally ready.
Bumbo-Style Seats
These popular molded chairs restrict a baby’s hips and force them into a seated posture. While it might be convenient for feeding or photo ops, it limits active trunk and postural control.
What to do instead: Use a high chair for feeding once baby can sit with support, and encourage sitting practice on the floor with cushions or support from you.
Prolonged Use of Swings & Loungers
These can be helpful for short breaks, but when babies nap or spend significant awake time in these devices, they’re missing out on critical movement practice—and it can increase the risk of plagiocephaly.
What to do instead: Keep awake time on the floor or in your arms. Save gear like this for occasional use or those “just need five minutes” moments.
The Takeaway
Baby gear isn't inherently bad—it’s all about how and how often it's used. Short periods here and there are totally fine. But when gear becomes a baby’s main environment, we start to see delays in motor skills and strength development.
If you’re a parent feeling unsure about what to use or how long is okay, know that you’re not alone. It’s hard to make informed decisions when so much marketing is designed to sell convenience. But the best thing you can give your baby developmentally? Time on the floor, freedom to move, and a chance to figure things out naturally.
You don’t need all the fancy gear. What your baby really needs is you, a safe space to play, and time to move.
