How long may your baby use a boppy?

Susan Fernandez January 01 2022

What is a boppy lounger?

A boppy lounger is a multi-use infant seat. It can be used as a feeding, resting, or playing seat. However, there are many concerns regarding the safety of the product and its usage guidelines.

The Boppy Lounger tends to look like any other baby seat; it has a round shape and contains an inner pillow that supports your baby's head and also provides back support for sitting babies. There is also a strap that wraps around your child's waist to prevent her from sliding out of the chair should she fall asleep while in this device.

Many parents have reported using their boppy loungers by simply laying the baby on top of its flat surface with her head resting on the inner pillow. Parents also use this seat as a feeding chair, placing their baby in an upright position to eat.

When your child becomes tired, you can lay him down for a nap inside his boppy lounger. This makes it very convenient during diaper changes because you do not need to move your child from this product - he can remain where he is all while you change his diaper easily by sitting behind him and removing his diaper through the opening at the back.

Types of boppy loungers

There are different patterns of boppy loungers, with some being more expensive than others. It is up to you to decide which design you prefer, but there are two main types on the market:

The first type of Boppy Lounger is designed for infants five months and older, although there have been reports of users using this seat for children as old as four years old. This seat can be used by babies weighing up to 30 pounds.

The second type of boppy lounger is an infant seat that works best for babies who are less than six months old and weigh no more than 25 pounds.

What materials are used for boppies?

Boppy Loungers are made from a variety of materials, including plastic and fabric. Modern designs can be unfolded easily and may save space in your household. The inside filling of a boppy lounger typically consists of comfortable cushions which are soft to the touch.

What should you consider while choosing a boppy?

There are several things to take into consideration when choosing a boppy. Here is a list of the most important factors:

Type of seat

The first factor to consider when purchasing a boppy is which type of seat you want. The two main types on the market are listed above.

In case you have already purchased your baby an infant seat, then it is unlikely that you will need another seat for your child in the future; however, if you plan on using your infant's feeding and playing center for more than one child, then it may be advisable to buy a second-hand model in order to save money.

Price range and brand name

When considering which brand and price range fit best with your budget and household, keep in mind that a higher price does not always mean higher quality. Do your research and then compare designs, materials, and prices with the Boppy lounger reviews from other parents.

Suitability with age

The first type of boppies works best for children who are older than five months as they can support their weight until they reach 30 pounds in weight. They can also be used by children up to four years old. On the other hand, boppies for younger infants cannot be used once the child starts trying to sit up on its own because there is a risk it will fall over if this happens before you take action to help him sit upright.

It is recommended that you buy a second-hand model rather than a new one because this may save you money in the long run. However, when you are considering this option, it is essential that you know the history of the product so that you can be sure it has not been used for a long time and does no longer work properly.

You should also check if there are any parts missing from your second-hand purchase; otherwise, you will need to buy all the necessary accessories to use your baby's feeding center.

If you still wish to buy new over used, consider carefully where and by whom the product was manufactured. It is advisable to go with manufacturers who meet global safety standards.

How old should my child be to use it?

The Boppy Company recommends that your baby is at least three weeks old before you consider putting him in his lounger. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that parents should not leave their infant unattended or sleep on his stomach until he is one month old.

Furthermore, the AAP advises that for the first year of life parents should place babies to sleep on their backs because this position reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by up to 50 percent. Considering all these factors and general safety concerns regarding your baby's usage of a Boppy Lounger, it is best to not use this product for infants younger than 3 months.

How long may my child use a boppy lounger?

If you have followed all of the above guidelines and recommendations, your baby may only use the lounger when she is awake. Once she falls asleep, remove her from the chair immediately due to safety concerns related to SIDS. Additionally, because your child cannot yet control his head movements or hold up his own head while sitting upright, he should never be left unattended in the device even if he is awake.

The AAP also recommends that children under 1 year old are never left alone with products such as this one because they do not provide sufficient support for their heads during play. As your child gets older and begins to reach his developmental milestones, he can spend more time in this chair. However, the AAP recommends that babies should only sit for up to 30 minutes at a time.

What if my baby seems uncomfortable?

If you notice any discomfort or pain on your child's part while she is using her boppy lounger, discontinue use immediately. If you feel that there is something wrong with your product, contact the company so they may perform an inspection of the product.

Can I make a DIY boppy?

Yes, you can create a boppy lounger at home by using any comfortable seat and putting it on the floor or bed. You can also use your infant's car seat as a substitute for the device.

You will need a soft pillow or cushion to place behind your baby's back. You also need a fitted sheet, which you will use to hold the pillow in place. Place the pillow across your baby's mid-back and wrap the sheet around it from both sides, then tie it securely at the bottom of your baby's feet.

How to clean a boppy lounge? 

You can clean any part of your boppy lounger by simply wiping the surface with a damp sponge. You may also use warm water and soap or baby wipes on all surfaces that come into contact with your child's skin.

If you choose to machine-wash your product, follow the instructions labeled on its tags or packaging carefully to ensure a thorough cleaning without damaging it. If you do not have access to a washing machine, you should spot clean it as thoroughly as possible instead.

Do NOT place this product in a dryer because even low heat from an ironing board or clothesline can damage the material and cause shrinkage. Do NOT bleach or put this product through a sanitizing cycle because this will lead to discoloration.

You may clean the fabric cover by removing it from the pillow before washing. To do so, locate the seams on each side of the pillow and gently pull them apart without ripping them to remove the fabric cover. Do NOT use a washing machine for this process because you could damage the cover's material. Afterward, hang it out to dry or lay it flat on a towel to dry within 24 hours after cleaning it.

If your baby has potentially exposed any part of his body to urine or stool while using his Boppy Lounger, you should immediately wipe him with a warm cloth and wash his clothes in hot water as soon as possible.

When should I discontinue use?

When your child can sit upright unassisted, holds his own head up well during playtime, and has good neck control (can hold up his head for periods without support), he can begin to spend more time in his chair, but only when awake. The AAP recommends that children should never sleep in the lounger and they should not be left unattended until they reach their first birthday.

However, these guidelines may be different for certain babies with specific developmental issues. For example, if your baby can't yet sit unassisted and/or hold up her head during playtime, the AAP recommends that she is never left alone or sleeping in this device and that you discontinue use of it before one year of age.

Experts have expressed concerns regarding the safety of using a Boppy Lounger for extended periods of time. They recommend that parents not allow their kids to use these seats for longer than an hour at a time unless they constantly monitor them when in such devices.

Some health care professionals claim that there is no safe amount of time recommended when it comes to allowing children under six months old to sit in such devices unsupervised. The reason why? There has been an increasing number of cases where babies suffocate to death while sitting in this chair, which is why it is not recommended for infants under six months.

What should you do if your baby falls asleep in the Boppy Lounge?

On one hand, many parents claim that their babies fall asleep easily when placed in this chair; therefore, it would be no problem to allow them to sleep there. Unfortunately, because of the suffocation risk cited by health care professionals, they recommend against letting your baby take a nap in such devices.

If you are using this chair for feeding instead of napping purposes only, then experts say that it's best to stop feeding after about 20 minutes. You can then place your child back into his or her crib once you notice signs that he or she is beginning to get drowsy.

Instead of using the boppy for sleep, experts recommend using it primarily for feeding only.

What if you want to use the Boppy Lounger for both naps and feedings?

Some parents have claimed that they are comfortable with allowing their children to fall asleep in this chair when used during both naps and feedings. However, experts warn against letting babies sleep in any baby recliner devices because these products can seriously compromise an infant's safety if he or she would roll over while sleeping.

If your baby begins to do this while sitting in a boppy lounger, quickly remove him or her from it so that he or she will not be at risk of suffocating on soft bedding such as pillows or blankets; then place him or her in the crib.

Finally, if your baby is regularly waking up as soon as you lay him or her down in his or her crib despite using feeding and/or nap time boppy lounger, experts recommend checking for possible sleep associations instead. If you find that your child is waking up regularly due to hunger, tiredness, and/or boredom during naptime and/or before bedtime, these may be signs of poor sleeping habits which can potentially delay their development.

Conclusion

It is crucial that you closely monitor your child while he or she is using any device, such as a boppy lounger. This way, you can make sure they are safe and do not fall asleep for extended periods of time in the chair. In case your baby falls asleep in this product, carefully move him or her to his or her crib before leaving the room.

Finally, if possible, stop using these chairs after about 20 minutes because it can be dangerous for children under six months old to spend more time than sitting in feeding and/or nap time boppy lounger alone.