What age do babies use walkers?
The lower age limit for baby walkers varies from six months up to 12 months. However, there is no definitive answer as to when your child can use a walker as all infants develop in their own time.
Some will be on their feet from as early as eight months whereas others are happy to sit and crawl until 18 months.
Generally, however, as babies approach their first birthday they will have begun to pull themselves upright where they can, and some will be starting to ‘cruise’ around which means that they are moving on their feet while leaning on furniture.
At this point, you may wish to introduce a push-along baby walker to help your baby get used to the action of walking and to encourage them to take their first unaided steps.
Are baby walkers safe?
The safety of sit-in baby walkers is up for debate in the childcare community. In 2007, baby walkers were banned in Canada due to reported and potential dangers, and childminders in the UK have been told by the National Childminding Association not to use them.
Physiotherapists have also warned the use of baby walkers could actually hinder a child's ability to learn to walk and the NHS recommends they are only used for up to 20 minutes at a time.
However, in Europe, the European Standard for baby walkers was amended in 2005 to make them safer by moving less quickly. The certification to look out for when buying a sit-in baby walker is BS EN 1273:2005.
The most important thing is that your baby is supervised at all times, and that the baby walker is not used anywhere near sockets, stairs, or other dangerous or reachable objects.
Push-along baby walkers don’t generate the same safety concerns as seated baby walkers. Your baby is required to concentrate on keeping upright by themselves, rather than being held in place, and their hands are always occupied holding onto the handle bar.
Push-along walkers are a useful way for your baby to strengthen their leg muscles and work on their coordination skills in preparation for walking unaided.
Do baby walkers help with development?
Sit-in baby walkers do not help a baby to learn to walk, although that is not to say that they don’t entertain a baby.
Some studies have shown that baby walkers delay motor development in infants, including crawling and walking. Others show that infants have scored lower on the Bayley Assessment which looks at a child’s mental development and language development as well as motor skills.
In a sit-in baby walker, babies lose the opportunity to learn important movement and perception skills including coordination, balance, strength and distance, and key concepts such as in or out and on or under.
Compared to seated baby walkers, push-along baby walkers are a safer alternative. Babies cannot use push walkers until they are physically capable and can abandon the toy by themselves when they are tired.
Read next: Benefits of imaginative play for a child's development
What type of walker is best for babies?
Parents on the Mumsnet forums generally recommend push-along walkers. They are also recommended by bodies such as the National Childminding Association over sit-in baby walkers.
However all baby walkers should be used no longer than 20 minutes at a time, as recommended by the NHS, and always under close adult supervision.
What month should a baby start using a walker?
All babies learn at their own pace. There is no hard and fast answer as to when they should start using a walker. But you should always check the minimum age for whichever walker you are thinking about buying.
What are the advantages of a baby walker?
A push-along baby walker can give your child a sense of independence and encourage them to take their first wobbly steps. Most push-along baby walkers also come with fun toys to keep children engaged.
What are the disadvantages of a baby walker?
A sit-in baby walker encourages babies to walk on their toes and doesn’t help them learn to pull themselves up to standing or balance their weight. Push-along baby walkers often require adult help as some can be difficult to turn. Some push-along baby walkers don’t work as well on certain surfaces, for example thick carpet.