Evaluation of the Movement and Play Opportunities and Constraints Associated With Containers for Infants

Abstract

Purpose: Containers (eg, strollers, bouncers) are an important part of infants’ environment but may negatively impact infant development and health. This study evaluated movement and play opportunities, constraints, and manufacturers’ developmental claims for infant containers. Methods: Containers were identified through Amazon.com. A content analysis of identified products was conducted to identify movement and visual-manual play opportunities, constraints, and developmental claims. Results: Content was analyzed for 460 containers. Containers varied in their movement and play opportunities; however, most did not incorporate toys and restricted trunk movement, self-directed locomotion, and independent head and trunk control. Containers, especially those with built-in toys, often had claims related to gross motor, sensory, and fine motor development. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the variability of movement and play opportunities observed across and within categories of infant containers. General recommendations about container use may be less effective than more specific education to parents about selecting and implementing containers.