Did you use a walker for your baby? If not, why not? We used one for our first child. She didn't walk until about 14 months (and I have always wondered if the walker helped to cause the delay, but then again she was born prematurely and didn't catch up physically until about 18 months). I have since given the walker to my sister who lives several states away so it will not be making it back here any time soon and I am trying to decide if I should buy a new one. We lived in a single story house when our oldest child was a baby and now we live in a split level with the living area and children's rooms upstairs. I don't want my baby crashing through a baby gate and falling down the stairs.
They do still sell walkers (yes, the ones with wheels). I think I am going to opt out on a new one. Thanks everyone.
I personally would save my money on a big expensive walker and instead get a nice push toy. My son has a Vtech sit to stand walker (its a push walker) and he's 18 months today and still plays with the front of it. He walked around 11, almost 12 months. There are lots and lots of adorable push walkers out there that, in my opinion, have more to offter.
I used one with my daughter and she walked at 12 months... so I don't know that there is any relation. If you liked it, buy another and leave it downstairs. Make it a family rule that the walker can not go upstairs for baby's safety.
We did not use a walker with the rolling wheels--there are considered dangerous if you have any stairs in your house since the baby could roll down them.
We did use a stationary "play-station" given to us by my SIL. It had various toys attached and could be adjusted to 3 heights-one for sitting, one for standing (2 heights for standing).
I kept it in the kitchen, and once my LO could sit well on his own, I put him in it for the 20 minutes it took to throw dinner together. It was a lifesaver.....
If it makes any difference, my son was standing with assistance at 7 months, walking with assistance at 8 months, and walked on his own for the first time 2 weeks before his first birthday.
If I'm remembering correctly some states have made it illegal to sell these walkers. They are not safe and pediatricians feel they delay walking. My kids used simple push toys. Be safe and save your money.
I don home childcare in MN...and they are absolutely not even allowed in our homes. The "exosaucer" type of stationary dealys are ok..but any of these pieces of equipment should not be used for more than 10-20 min at a time...they are not meant to be used all day...as moms, we know this of course!
(the Jumperoo is my fave and the only one I keep out for those 10-15 stretches that I need a little containment and entertainment of a little one so I can be opening an oven door or cooking, etc and have them in one spot).
Avoid the wheel ones..an old fashioned walker....find something new and fun, use it in a limited fashion...and create big spaces they can explore safely with gates and childproofing!
Good Luck!
Just in case you need any more evidence against walkers, I'm convinced my son started walking late (16 1/2 mo) due in part to using a walker. My husband picked one up while we were on vacation when my son was 9 mos old so that he would have someplace to sit other than the floor. We brought it home with us and he just loved zooming around the house in it. But when we worked on having him try to walk, his posture was just like it was in the walker--leaning forward, on his toes. It took quite awhile to break him of that so he could actually walk. Just one more reason to stay away from them!
I never used a baby walker. You are referring to those that have wheels and scoot around? The new moms' group I went to suggested against it. Not necessarily for delays, but just development because people put them in there earlier than they should and for way to long. I used one of those push things that helped him balance, but didn't keep him up.
im confused? a walker?
i dont even think that they sell them anymore.
but they have "exersaucers" which are like walkers, only with bottoms so baby cant walk. we used one with our son, and he walked extremely early.
anyway, theres no harm in them unless you plan on using them for a babysitter or something. and really, you will only use it for a little while. see if you can find someone who has one that you can borrow, or try freecycle. they are big and bulky, so think too if you really want that kind of thing sitting around :P
anyway good luck!
Nope. My cousin is a pediatrtician and is very against them. Not only do they cause walking delays and have safety issues, but they cause children to begin walking improperly with their legs slightly bowed out. Push toys walked great for us. First was walking at 10 months and the other two were walking between 11 and 12 months.
I had an entertainer for my daughter that my bro passed on from his daughter. My d loved it. It came apart so that as she started to walk, she could use it to walk behind. My d took her first steps the day before she turned 10 months, and was walking on her own the next day. i think it all depends on how long you have the child in it rather than whether it is used at all. We didn't have anything like a walker or other for my first and they were walking about their 1st birthday.
I am a pediatric physical therapist working in developmental pediatrics. A walker is NOT necessary. And in some kids, they may be "bad" (for lack of a better word). This is NOT to say it caused your first child's "delay" (14 months is still normal for walking).--it's not a simple answer, but the short version is ditch the walker, save your money for diapers or something you will REALLY need!
I stay away from walkers. I used one and I have horrible legs problems. My boys never got anywhere near one. My oldest didnt walk until 16 months and my youngest just started walking and is 13 months.
We used one and ours walked at 12 months (one day after her b-day). I also used one as a child and I have never had any leg problems. I don't know, maybe it's different for each child. They make a combo stationary toy/push walker if you can't decide, atleast the baby can use it in the stationary position if you decide you don't like the walker.
