Baby exercise mats/playmats - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

muffintop · 02-03-2006, 11:11 AM

I am thinking about getting one of those gymini things (colorful mats with hanging toys above) for my 3 month old DS. He currently doesn't like tummy time and I want to make it more interesting. Does anyone have experience with these and are they worth the money?

Celestine · 02-03-2006, 11:53 AM

We got one for DS when he was about 2 1/2 to 3 months old. For us, it totally wasn't worth it. If he's by himself with it, it takes about 5 min for him to get sick of it and cry. If we do use it I have to sit right next to him anyway, so for me it's easier just to take some of his other toys and hold them up for him. If I had to do it again I would have just waited until he hit 4 months or so and bought him an excer-saucer that he could sit upright in. DS totally prefers to sit up as opposed to lying down so he really likes his excer-saucer. Maybe one day when he can get himself up a bit he'll like the play-mat but so far it was a waste for us.

dizzygirl · 02-03-2006, 01:21 PM

Our son loved his, but honestly, by 4 months, he was too "old" for it. They're kind of expensive, so I wouldn't waste your money for one month. Just lay a colorful quilt on the floor and dangle stuff for him....lol.

~PJ~ · 02-03-2006, 02:45 PM

We had one which they are supposed to lay under with an arch over the top with animals hanging down but there wasn't anything exciting on the mat part to encourage tummy time Luckily we got ours handed down to us cause dd wasn't really interested but what she did love and was great for tummy time was an Animal Activity Mat/Blanket that cost us next to nothing. All the different animals had crinkly bits, squeakers or bells and she used that loads

roxyfoxy · 02-03-2006, 06:26 PM

I just bought this awesome thing today! Sorry, its not for tummy time, but its a fisher price activity gym. The baby lays on its back and toys hang down. When the baby kicks a toy, a ferris wheel above him lights up, plays music, and twirls. A friend had one when I went to visit and he went nutts with it! I went out and bought it right away.