It has been said that the most complicated and perhaps the most demanding job on earth is being a parent. It is also widely accepted as an important and rewarding experience for both parents and babies alike but being an active parent takes a lot of time and dedication.
Our babies need a lot of care and attention as they grow. They require as much love and time as their parents can spare, sometimes maybe even more. This is where the saucers come into play. play saucers have been perfected over time from mobile walkers that allow our babies to move and support themselves
In 2021, the best play saucers are better known to provide parents with the most appropriate option for setting our babies down in a safe, stationary and entertaining environment to take that deserved break. The best play saucers come with a variety of toys to keep your baby entertained as well as engaging their motion skills while we accomplish some other tasks around the house.
It is important to note however that these play saucers are only meant to a temporary distraction for our babies, they are not to be treated as alternatives to spending quality time with out little loved ones. It is also important to point out that babies should not be put into saucers until they are at least six (6) months old and they can sit up on their own, have adequate neck control and their tiny feet is strong enough to reach the ground without affecting their bone and muscle development.
This and many more tips have been carefully outlined to guide you to make the best purchase of play saucers that just might make your little bundle of joy even happier.
What are the factors to consider when buying a Play Saucer?
Highly interactive:
A good play saucer must be fully equipped with safe and highly interactive toys for babies to have fun with. Your baby's hand-eye coordination will be greatly improved as they play with the hanging toys in the saucer. This is a good feature for a play saucer.
Unique Rocking Base:
The play saucers as opposed to Walkers are stationary and provide a sturdy and unique rocking base that will keep your baby rhythmically bouncing in a spot that can help calm them as well as keep them from falling over or moving out of our sights.
Easy to Assemble:
A very important feature of a good play saucer is its ease of assembly. There needs to be as few detachable parts of a Saucer as possible to make the assembly of the play saucer less stressful and time-consuming.
What are the unique advantages of using a Play Saucer?
Safety:
Play saucers were developed as a response to growing complaints regarding walkers in the 90's. While the walkers allowed immobile babies to suddenly become mobile and upright which usually resulted in injuries in the babies’ underdeveloped muscles and bones, the play saucers provides a sturdy and stationary option where the babies can play in a much safer structure.
Development of skills:
The play saucers as the name implies promise to keep your body busy having fun while at the same time teaching them a developmental skill or two while you get to do other things like briefly take a shower, washing the dishes, or doing laundry.
Are there disadvantages to using a Play Saucer?
Decreased Interaction:
It can be quite easy to become complacent and overly rely on play saucers to keep our babies engaged while we try to sort out other things but it is important to note that babies need human interaction more than anything else especially during their first full year of life.
Decrease in environmental exploration:
The active exploration of their immediate environment allows babies to interact and develop their cognitive and motor skills. Rolling, scooting, crawling and pulling to stand are all integral exercises that must occur naturally as a baby matures. play saucers remove that natural experience as it provides everything the baby need right in front of them which could hinder them from making these natural steps towards overall development.
How do I best utilize the Play Saucers for my baby?
Despite these disadvantages that have been highlighted earlier, it is easy to understand why parents and their babies still enjoy these play saucers and you can too. With appropriate modifications to how you use the product, you could also make it work for your family.
Supported Sitting:
If your baby is capable of sitting with minimal support (typically around 4-6 months old babies), you can play with them while they're seated on the outside edge of the saucer rather than placing them in it. This will allow your child to play with the toys and practice supported sitting. This will be more appropriate for your baby at this age rather than actually being placed in it.
Wait for the right age:
You must ensure to wait for the right time to place your baby in any play saucer, this is when they can sit independently, without any additional support of their arms for balance (typically around 6 or 7 months old babies). Most play saucers advertise their use with infants as young as 4 months. But waiting until they are much older and can sit comfortably on their own will ensure they have the adequate trunk strength required. This would also possibly decrease the baby's tendency to assume poor postures as a result.
Use a Pillow:
You can place a pillow under your baby’s feet so they're not totally flat-footed or tip-toed. We don’t want to cause any long-term damage. Just keep an eye on your baby’s feet to make sure they're not standing with them in an abnormal position that may turn out to be uncomfortable for your baby.
How Much Do Play Saucers Usually Cost?
The price of the play saucers ranges from as little as $45⁹⁹ for a simpler play saucer with an adequate number of toys to as much as $129⁹⁹ for a much larger set. This is still dependent on the type of play saucers you decide on and the number of toys available.
FAQs
Q: What is the weight limit of a play saucer?
A: Most play saucers have a weight limit of twenty-five (25) pounds. Once your baby's weight reaches 25 pounds and above, it is advisable to discontinue putting them in a play saucer
Q: Can a play saucer tip over?
A: play saucers have been painstakingly designed to be tip-proof to prevent babies from tipping over whenever they lean in on the Saucer.
Q: How long can my baby use a play saucer?
A: You should allow your baby to have a great time in the Play Centre at most twice a day. You should also try limiting their time to ten to fifteen minutes each time.