Views on baby walkers?

[blueskythinker]

My 13 mnth old DS has a baby walker, which he goes in for about 1/2 hr every day. He isn't crawling or walking yet (has just started bum-shuffling, but very slow, and loves practising his walking whilst holding on to my 2 hands), so I find that this really helps in stopping him from getting frustrated, and he loves being able to go fast & chase his sister.

My MIL is really getting on my nerves - every time she sees him, she makes a comment such as 'look at him walking on his toes - using that walker has shortened his hamstrings!' or 'look, his centre of gravity is so far forward - it's that walker that's done it'. Grrrrrrr.

My HV says there is no problem using a baby walker, in moderation. My DD1 used it and has no problems with her development at all.

1. Any physios out there who know if baby walkers are really that bad?

1. Any suggestions on how I can get my MIL to stop banging on about it?

i personally dont like them, i have never used one.
i know lots of people that do use them and swear by them.
i think as long as its only a short while a day it shouldnt do any major harm. as long as he cant get to anything that would hurt him, bump nto tables with heavy/hot stuff on etc he'll be ok. or there are no other tots whose feet he can run over.

Personally don't like them, they are very dangerous and the aale and import of them have been banned in Canada.

Well its funny how a load of advice from complete strangers is more effective than from my dear old MIL.

Only this week, my DS has started to pull himself up, and start crawling. So I've decided that now he is independently mobile, the babywalker is going into the attic - haven't used it for a few days - and haven't missed it either! Thanks for the views & info.

Aww congratulations on the crawling! It was a huge relief to me when ds got crawling at 9 months and before that the walker was the only rest my back got! Even though I always vowed I'd never have one, I guess it just depends on the baby and how mobile they are and how mobile they WANT to be! Glad he's pulling up aswell, hopefully it will stop any negative comments from the MIL!

ah congrats on your little star crawling and pulling himself up thats great