What's the dope on baby walkers?

[LadyThompson]

My DD is 7.5 months. I think she'd really enjoy zooming about with a baby walker. I am not trying to artificially induce walking, as she will crawl or walk when she is ready and I am not into forcing her to the next stage; but I glean from MN that they are frowned on, as are playpens. Personally I think most things are ok as long as you don't use them for hours on end (she has enjoyed her baby bouncer swing for ages, for instance, but just for short periods) but if there is a compelling argument why these things are bad, I'd be interested to hear it...

...or install stairgates...

• yes, you could install stairgates - but what a hassle to do that before your baby can actually walk...

no judgement, just thought the research I did would be helpful to others wanting to look into it like I did...

eyepeam, I think I read the same as what you posted..I looked into it with dd and decided against.

Both dd and ds never had one and tbh I don't think they "missed" anything...

The point you made about the "stairs", that was what happened to my ums friend. Their lo fell down the front steps..While they were there as well....

I guess, each to their own.

If they want something more what about a door bouncer..? won't they be in it similar time to they would be in a walker..? Gives you a few minutes grace to get dinner etc started..?

I was talking to one mum at swimming who was telling me there was nothing wrong with baby walkersand her daughter was fine etc
Next week she came baby had a huge bump on forehead, she had fallen down a single step in her baby walker.
I think the problem is they are used as a sort of baby sitter to keep baby occupied, when they
actually need far more supervision than a non mobile baby would need.

I also heard a story (friend of a friend) of a baby going off a flat garden roof in one, not sure how true it was.

Weegiemum - I too have a scar on my chin from tipping over in a baby walker on the carpet rail between 2 rooms.

I would also be concerned that baby could reach things higher than you might expect eg curtains, things on tables.
I think if you are going to get one you need to have trully flat floors and do a very thorough babyproofing with it in mind.

What about a leapfrog/baby einstein baby play centre or jumperoo type thing instead?

Thank you for all this advice, really useful. I didn't realise there were so many different styles of walker.

I will have a long hard think about it all!