Baby walkers - are they a good thing or a bad thing?

[Hopeysgirlwasntbig]

I have a DD aged 4 months who loves to stand whilst supported and be upright. I didn't have a walker for my other two children, but friends have used walkers for their little ones. DH doesn't like the idea of them. I've heard different opinions about them, was interested to see what other Mums thought.

[HereComeTheGirls]

My DD is slightly slow at standing and walking so sees a physio every couple of months. She told us that we must on NO account get a walker, as they are terrible for babies development, as they encourage them to stand wrongly and the wrong muscles to develop.

[Sunshinemummy]

I used a walker for DS and he loved it before he could get around. Once he started crawling I took it away.

[lulalullabye]

I used a walker and dd walked at one with no abnormalities. Now we can't stop her !!

[CalicoHollyFlint]

My ds is in one now !

He is has just turned 7 months, is cruising like mad and has no sense at all! If he wasn't in a walker he would be constantly falling over and smacking his little head on the floor!

I think walkers are fine as long as you restrict the amount of time baby is in them.

[Haylstones]

I found this info, I know they're banned in some countries.www.ratbag.demon.co.uk/anna/babystuff/article13.html
I had a walker type thing for dd that didn't have wheels but let her sit upright, will have a look...

[Haylstones]

Sorry www.ratbag.demon.co.uk/anna/babystuff/article13.html

[Haylstones]

Dd loved this www.ciao.co.uk/Graco_Rocking_Entertainer__5096458
We used to take it everywhere with us!

[ConnorTraceptive]

I don't like them myself but each to there own

[andiemustlosehalfastonemore]

I think if you talk to a paediatric physio they would say never use one. They teach the baby to walk on their tip toes rather than using the whole foot (I think)
personally I wouldn't use one

[HereComeTheGirls]

Yes, of course, each to their own - I do think its relevant what a paediatric physio says about them though!!

[Hopeysgirlwasntbig]

Thanks very much for your messages. That's kind of what we thought too. I did get this for DD and she enjoys being in there.

[HereComeTheGirls]

That looks great..am tempted to get it for my DD although she might be a bit big for it now!! The physio also said door bouncers are great for babies!

[Sunshinemummy]

I think they might teach the baby to walk incorrectly if you leave the baby in them all the time. The advice I read is to stop use of them once baby is mobile, which is why I took DS out of his once he was crawling. Prior to that he loved that he could move around our flat.

[PuppyMonkey]

Love 'em. Have two dds who spent lots of time in theirs and they do not walk on tip toes.

Nor have they fallen down the stairs or anything as, hey, I didn't leave them unattended near the stairs. Or in front of an open fire either. I'm old fashioned like that.

Everything in moderation, that's what I say!

[Hopeysgirlwasntbig]

HereComeTheGirls, that's good news because I've got her a door bouncer too!

[luvaduck]

great article haylstones
i think they are just too dangerous - have seen accidents with them, you have to be very careful and keep an eye at all times - esp if near fires and if near stairs.
but as you say each to their own, as long as you are aware of the risks.

[scottishmummy]

babywalkers bad they encourage poor gait, and reduced sensory feedback as the movement is not full weight bearing

[tori32]

I used a walker from 4mths with dd who walked independently at 11mths and ran at 18mths, so no development problem with using it on dd.

Just ensure that baby cannot tiptoe in it by making sure that the seat is low so she has to push with flat feet or stand up properly. Its bad when not put at the right height.

I would also say limit the time they are in them to no more than 15 mins at a time.