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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

BABY WALKERS

22 replies

loopyredangel · 13/04/2006 16:16

Hi I have been told to avoid baby walkers by HV, but DS wants to get up on his feet all the time, I would love to hold him up but having SPD I find it very difficult to do and causes a great deal of pain. Has anybody out there got any views on baby walkers, and may be able to suggest a particular brand of walker.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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dinosaure · 13/04/2006 16:18

If he isn't already, he will soon get the hang of pulling himself up by holding onto the furniture, and then "cruising" along holding onto it. We had a babywalker for DS1 - waste of time really - he would never stay in it for more than a few minutes and lifting him in and out was really knackering!

sunandmoon · 13/04/2006 16:23

I heard that lots of babies had accident with baby walkers. You have to be careful if you have steps in your house... just one step could be very dangerous!!! And I don't know if it is true or not but apparently babies start walking properly later if they start with a baby walker... But then if you have SPD, maybe it will be more fun for you and your baby to use the baby walker so you wouldn't have to lift him all the time once he fell down.

TheBlonde · 13/04/2006 16:37

\link{http://www.mothercare.com/invt/lw3888&bklist=\this} kind of walker is okay

biglips · 13/04/2006 16:42

my DD used to have a baby walker @ 5mths old.... we got the one with the 2 stoppers to stop DD walking in the walker so she could sit in it... she loves it as couldnt get her out of it in peace.. it was a relief for me as i had a sore back carrying my heavy DD

Callisto · 13/04/2006 17:26

My dd is at this stage and I bought her a push-a-long walker which she adores and it is really helping with the walking. I got this one: \link{http://www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk/product.aspx?CategoryID=ToddlerToys_1_3yrs&ProductID=6852&language=en-GB\here} but loads of places sell them.

jmum6 · 13/04/2006 17:29

I was definitly against baby walkers due to the problem of walking on their toes instead of flat feet.

BUT my mother gave ds one for christmas (against my wishes) and I have to say he absolutely loves it, he'd spend hours in it if he could. I have it in the kitchen and NEVER leave him unattended in it, but he plays in it and watches me when I'm cooking etc.

Have to say it's one of the best things he's got!

CarolinaMooncup · 13/04/2006 17:30

they are not v good for their hips either apparently.

How old is your ds?

jmum6 · 13/04/2006 17:49

My ds is 7mths. I'm still not 100% happy that he's got one, but like I said he really loves it, but I do try to make sure he's not in for any length of time.

CarolinaMooncup · 13/04/2006 17:52

oh sorry jmum6, I meant the OP's ds, didn't mean to have a go at you

it is one thing thinking of reasons not to get a baby walker in the first place (as the OP has been advised not to), but if you have one and it is useful and your ds likes it, I really wouldn't worry about 20mins or whatever here and there

jmum6 · 13/04/2006 18:03

I didn't think you were CM :)

It is good for plonking him in when you get in and have to put coats/bags/shopping away he he

childern · 13/04/2006 18:56

Hi i had a baby walker for my 1st he walked the week before his 1st birthday never had any problems with his hips or any tging else he is 31/2 know even my 2year old used it no probs there do what you feel is best because half of the hv haven't got children so evey thing they tell you is what they have read in a book. Well thats what i have found

AllieBongo · 13/04/2006 19:12

I still have a scar on my face from falling out of my baby walker into a rose bush when i was tiny..Don't know why i was in the garden in it and it was 30ys ago.. I'm not sure about them, but think they're better these days

GarfieldsGirl · 13/04/2006 19:22

ds1 had one, although it never helped him walk, he did that by himself at 9.5 months. Even when he could walk by himself it still only went backwards! He has no probs with hips, toes etc. ds2 is 5mths, I put him in it when washing up etc to keep him occupied and he manages to make it go backwards. I think they're too heavy to really help them to walk, but great for keeping them quiet while you're busy. As long as you're with them, and there's no hazards around I don't see the problem and if they're only in it for a few minutes at a time I doubt it wil have any effect on their body.

Many things are frowned upon by health professionals that parents have relied on for years, e.g. dummies, so its just a case of weighing up whats best for you.

Mercy · 13/04/2006 19:27

I have a mate who is a physiotherapist and she says no to a baby walker. Kids will find their own way of getting around

beansprout · 13/04/2006 19:37

I was in a shoe shop buying ds's first shoes and was watching the people who were being served before me. The shop assistant immediately knew that the child had learnt to walk using a walker as they develop a different style. I got the clear impression that this was not a good thing and that nature needed to take its course and "correct" the child's gait.

Also, walkers are the biggest cause of accidents for the age group that use them.

childern · 13/04/2006 19:39

Thats all good and well but when all they want todo is walk and can't it gets back breaking. My 1st just wanted to walk from about 6months a lot smaller than any other it was just total god send.

madmarchhare · 13/04/2006 19:48

This is one of those contentious ones isnt it? DS was a very active baby and wouldnt do anything for more than 5 minutes at a time.

He had a baby walker, simply as another way of entertaining him.

10 minutes a day, loved it, walked at 11 months. Oh and I kept an eye out for any nearby cliffs.

Seona1973 · 13/04/2006 20:01

my dd also had a baby walker which she loved. She was never in it for more than 20 minutes at a time but it was great for giving her a change of perspective - we even sometimes put her in it to feed her rather than use her highchair. She walked by herself from 11 months so it never held her back. I would never use it somewhere that would be considered dangerous and she was never near any steps - its common sense really.

Original poster

loopyredangel · 13/04/2006 21:50

Thanks for all the advice,DS is 7half months.
Still none the wiser!

OP posts:

peaches27 · 13/04/2006 22:21

Borrow one, try it, see if its for you. Or do what I did and got one in really good condition for grandson at a car boot for £5. My kids both used them and enjoyed them, no accidents, but they were always watched carefully and I had made adjustments to the house - nothing left lying around etc. I will be getting one for my granddaughter shortly.

carol3 · 13/04/2006 22:39

hi my ds loved his and had no problems with it and walked at 10. 1/2 months. both dd's didn't like it though, so i'd go with try one and see i remember when we got my ds's his, we went to toys r us and test ran a few great fun .

all4girlz · 13/04/2006 23:21

hi there
what about a stationary graco entertainer you can get the old style cheap second hand like a baby walker but with a floor -circular with toys all round so the baby can move round.
Three different heights and the baby is upright putting a little weight on his feet very safe for when doing the washing up etc I have one and it is a godsend I alo have a baby walker and my dd4 now 11 mths loves both, just another option to save your back.
good luck

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