12 week old trying to walk - product advice

[Insomnimummy]

My DD is almost 12 weeks old and has been demanding to be held upright so she can walk with our support. She has been doing this for the last 4/5 weeks and now cries if we do not help her.

I'm very proud of how fast she is developing, but its exhausting and painful spending most of the day hunched over someone whos under 2ft, helping them walk!
I have been seraching for products to help my DD develop her muscles and practise walking, such as door bouncers and walkers. However I can't find any that are suitable for a 3 month old, they all appear to start at 6 months.
Does anyone know if and where I can get a baby walker for a 3month old? At this rate by the time she reaches 6 months she will no longer need one!

[thornrose]

Great cross post duchesse and makes me feel better in a funny way

[FreakoidOrganisoid]

DD was a stander too, from weeks old. She would scream if you tried to sit or lie her down, but stood up, looking around at the world she was happy. She'd push herself up with her legs if you tried to sit her, my mum had her on her lap at a picnic table, aged 6 weeks, and dd took hold of the edge of the table and pulled herself to standing. It was exhausting. DD was able to lift her head and look around the room from birth too (when on her tummy), she was just strong. Friends at baby groups were jealous that dd was "advanced" I was jealous that their babies would lie there gurgling and cooing.

There is an average rate of development that the milestones are based on, some children develop more slowly, some more quickly. If anything dd is a bit behind physically now she's 7 though so it doesn't necessarily mean anything long term.

[BertieBotts]

Thorn please don't worry, dyspraxia isn't caused by lack of tummy time, it's a "mis-wiring" in the brain that just happens sometimes rather than being caused by anything.

Funnily my DS who liked to kick up and push at things with his feet from birth is now 5 and fairly un-coordinated too. He can ride a scooter and runs around constantly but isn't really interested in sports. (Neither me or DH are though which is probably more why!)

[thornrose]

Thanks Bertie I know it's not the cause but I often wondered if it might've been less severe if we'd done the tummy thing.

She's 14 now anyway and most of her friends are going through a phase of hating PE too

[BertieBotts]

I know a fair few people my age with dyspraxia and we were all put on our fronts to sleep, it's supposed to have been the back to sleep thing which lead to the need for tummy time :)

I must admit although I understand sleeping on the back is safer there is just something about a gorgeous sleepy baby all curled up on their front. I was happy when DS learnt to roll and I didn't have to put him on his back any more! I find it far cosier and more comfortable personally too.

[Sneezecakesmum]

I wonder why that august body the CDC along with almost every official list says crawling is a milestone. Not that all babies crawl (most do) just like they don't all roll.

Nevertheless it is desirable if the baby is that way inclined because of the activation of the muscle groups needed for walking. It also encourages weight through the open hand which is a precursor to using pens and writing well.

Having read up on all this extensively, I don't really know anything of course.

[Purplelooby]

I don't think the issue here is crawling (the red book does list crawling, but it has it along with bum shuffling as an and/or), it's about core strength. Babies can have very strong legs but if their core strength isn't up to it they won't walk.

OP HAS been a bit flamed and I feel for her, but reading back over all the replies, I think really people are just trying to answer the original question: how can I help her walk - work on her core strength.