to put my 9 month old in a baby walker?

[buggerlugsandbananafeet]

I have recently started using a walker for my 9 month DD. It was bought by my mum, who says that as a baby i loved mine. So i popped DD in it and she too appears to enjoy it.
She isn't in it for hours and hours but some of the mums at playgroup have told me that walkers are really bad and can mess with development.
Is this true and if so, why the hell do they still sell them?

That's great Morloth, it's good to have it sorted out for him so young

there is absolutly nothing worng with baby walkers. there was a myth going round saying that they effect the babys hips but our baby doctor said it is complete rubbish.

Do what you think is right and dont bother about anyone else

mine were always absolutely fine in walkers

they like being mobile

For some babies they are brilliant, for some they are not.

My DS1 was really really active (he was later dx with ADHD) and his was a lifesaver. I lived in a one level flat so no stairs to worry about.

You do need to keep a close eye but they can keep some kids amused for ages (ages in baby minutes).

They are dangerous because they make a very young baby mobile and able to reach things. If you take away the hazards they become as safe as any other toy.

I know physios dont like them. But physios only really see children who have problems anyway so that makes sense. Some children should not be put in walkers due to underlying conditions and I would always listen to the HCP in this case.

Me? I bloody love walkers (and dummies)

I love dummies too MrsD!

My son's physio also (strongly) advised against baby walkers, saying that they could cause hip/joint/foot/tendon problems. I wouldn't have used one anyway though as didn't with DS's 1 anbd 2 so didn't feel the need for one.

DSD was in a walker, admittedly according to DH for long periods of time, but still walks on her tiptoes aged 18!

I just file them under 'more plastic tat that clutters up your house and is only any use for about 6 weeks.'

See also: bumbos, door bouncers, baby gyms, mobiles, baby rockers, etc, etc, etc

The baby walker ds used was a hand me down from dh's cousin, who is a doctor

my 2 loved the walkers and have no developmental problems whatsover! both started walking at 13/14 months.

from what i've read the reason these are banned in some countries as children rolled down the stairs in them!! british homes are not as big as the average north american home!

I thought I would give the bumbo a go with DC5. They looked like a good idea. Cept my babies are so fat they have to be wedged in and when you pick them up the whole bloody thing comes with them! I kindly gave offloaded mine on my niece who has more petite babies.

Yep, i got a bumbo chair because they looked so cute but DD hated it. Would try and through herself backwards out of it. Have given it away to a friend who's baby loves it.
I suppose all little ones are different.

I used a baby walker with my eldest and she developed a problem with the tendons in her feet and was constantly walking on her tiptoes. I felt like the worst mum in the world. Luckily, she's getting better now at walking properly on her feet but I regret using the stupid thing!

My kids 12 years ago had a babywalker they loved that had buttons you pressed that made aeroplane noises and flashing lights.
They both were walking at about a year and have nothing wrong with their development. If you stick your sprog in a babywalker for hours on end yes it may cause problems,but if you are sensible and supervise your kids they can be fun, like baby bouncers, and most things in life.

We never had a walker or a playpen. It was just one of those things that never occured to us to buy.

We did ok without them for ds1 (21months) so I won't bother getting either for ds2 (20weeks).

I suppose if you use it sensibly there won't be any problems though.

Clunge have you been to the Dr's about DD's tipetoe walking? My DC is intermittent, which is partly habitual but may be tendons. He's waiting for physio so that it doesn't damage his tendons any further. Your DD may have got over it and maybe it was just a stage but if she is intermittent might be worth getting her checked out.