Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To say something re: baby walker at three months?

69 replies

Piggyleroux · 14/10/2011 11:18

Not sure what to do about this one. We gave DB and SIL a baby walker (I know, but they were going to buy one and we had one that was given to us which we never use.

Mil called me yesterday today how advanced the baby was because he was in the baby walker already. He is only three mo. I know that they are not meant to be used until baby os sitting independently.

The thing is, we gave it to them so I sort of feel obliged to say something or should I mind me own beeswax?

OP posts:

NorksAkimbo · 14/10/2011 14:15

I had a baby walker, both my DCs loved it, especially if we were outside (in our fenced in, blocked paved back garden). They didn't spend hours in it, I never used it near stairs (DUH) and both walked just fine independently when they were ready. I didn't do it to encourage them to walk, it just helped them get to and fro in a different way than crawling.

I don't think I used it until they were crawling age, though...

valiumredhead · 14/10/2011 14:31

Oh ds loved his baby walker that was given to us. He only used it for a couple of months and only in short bursts, I think a child would have to be in one for a lot longer than the 10 mins he used to be to develop tip toe walking.

3 months is too young though.

wtf is tummy time?

Moominsarescary · 14/10/2011 14:52

Sticking them on their fronts, none of mine liked tummy time

Tallypet · 14/10/2011 14:55

17mph..LOL. How? How can a baby propel a walker at 17mph?! Anyway, some 3 month olds are quite strong and can SIT in a walker but not walk/move in them... but I would never, ever have put my DS in his walker at that age, maybe for a laugh in a picture?

DS doesn't use it anymore because at 11months he's now too tall for it so it needs a new home bin

iwantbrie · 14/10/2011 15:01

17mph? Seriously? Don't put them in one at the top of a hill then!
My 2 had them from about 5 mths & the newest addition will also go in one (if anyone donates one to us!)
I still have fond memories of DS getting hold of the tinsel on the Christmas tree & taking the whole bloody thing for a walk across the front room...

iwantbrie · 14/10/2011 15:03

Oh, btw..
DS plays football for school & local village team & cricket for village & local district. DD does regular gymnstics & dance.. baby walkers really don't seem to have affected the way they walk, in fact DS slams his heels down first & sound like a sodding elepohant going up the stairs!

scuzy · 14/10/2011 15:08

17mph?!?! heard it all now. what tripe. as for accidents? if the accidents stated are in regard to stairs and steps then its the parents fault. they are to be no where near stairs and steps. ds had one from approx 5 months on loved it also had tummy time and walked no problem from 11 months on. will use it again. had no accidents as was used on a flat surface and supervised.

mycatsaysach · 14/10/2011 15:10

both of my dcs loved them.i am sure dd was in the walker at 3 months.they were both very awake/alert babies who needed to be occupied during the day.
both walked fine at 12 months - neither liked tummy time and ds crawled for one week only.
obviously you should never take your eyes off them as they really do like to whizz around quite fast when they get older.

mycatsaysach · 14/10/2011 15:10

we loved ours so much we took it on holiday to a caravan.

ChunkyPickle · 14/10/2011 15:11

We didn't have a walker for ours because we were in Canada, but we had a jumper instead, which is fairly similar in baby position. The instructions said once he could hold his head up, which he could at 2 months, and he seemed to enjoy being upright a bit.

By 3 months he was bouncing around like crazy in it giggling like a loon. I imagine that had he had a walker we'd have had quite a mobile baby, and I think he would have loved that too, as it was he was an early walker so I don't think it did him any harm.

DoMeDon · 14/10/2011 15:13

I would say something - too young.

Dd loved her walker - used to take it to park so she could leg it about - such fun.

Kveta · 14/10/2011 15:18

I would say something.

like i did to my sis regarding my nephew being in a doorway bouncer at 12 weeks corrected age.

my DS was in one at 14 weeks after we checked with 2 health visitors that it was ok, read the bloody instructions, and made sure he was not in it unsupervised or for more than 5 mins at a time until he was bigger (stealth boast - he was standing and cruising furniture at 5 months/walking at 9, and freakishly strong from birth, otherwise we'd have waited).

DNephew could barely hold his head up, was left for ages (crying), and sis hadn't read the instructions, so he was putting weight on his feet rather than tippytoes. I judged and commented.

BabyJanesDummy · 14/10/2011 15:20

I think the advice is a little mixed up though sometimes. We used one of these at 3 months old (door bouncer) and they say fine from 3 months, if holding head up unaided.

Though if you look at the way the baby is in the harness or seat or whatever you call it it isn't really any different to the Chicco Walker which we also has but that says not to use until 6 months.

I have both of these things and don't really see why one is from 3 months and the other is from 6 months. So I certainly wouldn't judge if I saw a 3 moth old in a walker like that.

ChunkyPickle · 14/10/2011 15:25

I think I'd like to know what damage it is that it'll potentially cause - being upright must be fine - no-one has a go at baby carriers - is it the crotch hanging (people do have a go about crotch hanging carriers)? Something to do with their legs (someone said ours would go bandy legged, which I researched, and was total rubbish)? The tip toe thing? Bouncers and walkers both encourage that, anecdotal, but we didn't have any trouble there.

Can anyone link to why they're bad? (apart from when crashing into walls/down stairs)

thefirstMrsDeVeerie · 14/10/2011 15:30

I cant get over excited about baby walkers unless they are being used in a dangerous manner i.e. on the sofa or dining table.

I doubt her 3mth old will be in it for long periods because the baby would start moaning.

I have used them for nearly 20 years for all of mine. Always managed to remember not to have them at the top of the stairs. Always remembered that babies can get hold of dangerous things so put them out the way.

I know, I know, anecdotes are not allowed on MN but five kids and no problems.

I see families use them at work and I dont say anything. I leave that to the OTS and physios if they want to tell the parents off. The families I work with have quite enough to deal with so if they get five minutes peace using a walker - hurray.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 14/10/2011 15:38

I know it's wrong MrsDeV but "on the dining table" made me

Rollon2012 · 14/10/2011 15:38

I dont like babywalkers there blody cumbersome amongsdt the safety dangers shes gonna ruin her childs legs mention something I cant believe MIL

thefirstMrsDeVeerie · 14/10/2011 15:41

Made me [shock) Jenai

I did feel I should say something on that occassion and gently pointed out the possible dangers of having a baby on wheels on top of a table.

How is she going to 'ruin her child's legs' rollon

scuzy · 14/10/2011 15:41

how is using a baby walker (other than once described in OP as the little one is too young) ruining a child's legs???

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 14/10/2011 15:47

Blimey - somebody really put a baby in a walker on a dining table?

I feel bad now for laughing.

Yes, you were justified in pointing out the folly of doing such a thing.

Moominsarescary · 14/10/2011 15:51

I wouldn't think it could, sounds like my mil don't stand that baby up on your knee, hold his head! He's my 3rd ds and none of their heads have rolled off yet

Moominsarescary · 14/10/2011 15:52

And none of them have bowed legs

Rollon2012 · 14/10/2011 16:15

How is she going to 'ruin her child's legs' rollon

because a child of 3 months should be in a upright position at all not even in a bouncer far too much pressure on a 3 month olds legs

Moominsarescary · 14/10/2011 16:20

If it's feet can even touch the floor

YouHaveToCallMeNighthawk · 14/10/2011 16:56

Some babies like be upright. Mine was in one from about four months as he screamed if he was left lying flat and I didn't have time to stand him up all day. It hasn't given him wangy legs.

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread