The inverted metal V in the middle of my living room separated my life as a parent into two eras: the before-Jolly Jumper times, and after. Before-JJ, I bounced my colicky baby on a yoga ball for hours, cramming granola bars in my mouth with one hand. Post-JJ (and after the colic had waned), I could sit and enjoy a whole sandwich while his delight at moving his own body beamed straight into my heart. These short breaks played a huge part in bolstering my mental health as a new mom.
Before long, though, guilt would start chipping away at my bliss. Yes, my friends and I cheekily called these types of products, especially Exersaucers or activity centres, ?circles of neglect? (even though, in reality, we used them so we could unload the groceries or pee, while knowing our babies were safe). Despite the jokes, I knew I shouldn?t leave my son in the jumper for very long?it wasn?t good for his little body, I?d heard. But how long was too long" Would five more minutes spell disaster" I didn?t know that there?s an actual label for this particular anxiety??container baby syndrome.? It?s a serious-sounding term that?s been floating around parenting circles and websites for the last few years. While neither the Canadian Paediatric Society nor the American Association of Pediatrics define the term, the American Physical Therapy Association describes it as ?a collection of movement, behaviour and other problems caused by a baby or infant spending too much time in a container.?Â...