Baby Walker

Question: Are baby walkers really that bad?

(Posted by: mommie jm on 2009-04-06 22:35:59)

Are baby walkers really that bad?? i read something that says it can delay the baby& #039;s locomotor thing.. and also i read that don& #039;t put the baby there for long periods of time.. however my baby really likes to be on her walker and we can put her there when evrybody is eating so we can eat together.. what should i do?

Posted by: kylie d on 2009-04-06, 22:42:41

Go with what works for you , i have never heard that walkers are bad for babies. i think that some of that stuff is just made up sometimes. i have 7 kids and every one of them used a walker and they all turned out just fine. they walked by 13 mo. old by the latest.

Posted by: Madelynns Mommy on 2009-04-06, 22:47:46

They suggest to let them stay in it for only 30mins a day, but really its up to you how long you want her in it..

Posted by: Bianca M on 2009-04-06, 22:48:15

Honestly if they had there way we would have our kids wrapped in cotton wool and not ler them do anything we all had walkers as a kid and im sure some of us fell out of them to the reason they say not to leave them in to lobg is there back its the same rule for car seats and those automatic swings nop longer than 2 hours at a time with a good amount of time out of them its saves their spine as long as u supervise ur daughter in it i cant see a problem if she loves it dont take it away from her im not sure about dealying walking i had a walker and so did my sis we both walking at 9months old

Posted by: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ? on 2009-04-06, 22:57:18

If you expect your baby to walk sooner, better etc - yes If you buy it because it is fun, and you SUPERVISE - no Many parents expect these will help their kids walk sooner. They won 't. On average kids walk 1 month later with walkers/ jumpers. However, if this isn 't the main goal and the main goal is fun....it 's wonderful. As with anything just make sure you don 't use it as the exclusive form of entertainment... My son LOVES his jumper. It 's fun...The AAP warns against them. I watch him, he doesn 't sit there 24/ 7 and my son and I are happy.

Posted by: thecat252000 on 2009-04-06, 23:00:03

Wow - everything is bad for kids these days. Do they want you just to put the kid in the corner and ignore it?? My mum had me in a walker, so were my cousins etc - we started solids at 3 months and i started my son on solids at 3 months, he is now the length of a 1 year old child, he cant now stand up holding his walker and moves it all about the place. I don 't take any notice anymore, because if you listen to everything - you will go mad. My son goes in his walker about 3 times a day for about 10-20 min at a time. He loves it, and if he isnt in that, he is on the floor rolling about or sitting playing with his toys. Go with what makes you feel good mate.

Posted by: tonnieRN on 2009-04-06, 23:00:46

Oh dear god, LOL, just like anything else, used with common sense and moderation they are fine, just like anything else.....think about the woman with the mcdonalds coffee and ppl who let their babies play with their walker at the top of the staircase....my dd loves hers...and she has yet to tumble anywhere in it, so i am sure she will be fine, she 's had it for months.......gl and developmentally, she is hitting all her milestones early, so i don 't think that has slowed her down, maybe if she stayed in it all day....

Posted by: Kangel [Jake Rivers Mummy] on 2009-04-06, 23:01:26

I bought my son a walker when he was 6 months old, had learned to crawl, but was not happy crawling and wanted to be stood up all day. It was perfect for him and he loved it. Whenever we were sitting outside, he would be in his walker, scooting around our paved patio area and thought he was very cool :) After about 6 weeks, he was over it so I didn 't use it anymore after about 7 and a half months. He started properly full on walking at 9 months+ 2 days, so it certainly didn 't have any affect on his development.

Posted by: Katrina P on 2009-04-06, 23:25:30

What I 've heard is that they can be dangerous, some parents not watching their children round stairs and things on tables the child may be able to reach in the walker, it 's also more for entertainment than any sort of development, not sure if it will delay walking but they aren 't going to help your daughter to learn to walk. Basically I think they are only recommended under supervision and for short periods, not all day everyday. But hey she 's your child your entitled to do what you like, what she likes and what works for your family.

Posted by: WowUrKiddin on 2009-04-07, 00:21:50

Relax, if your baby likes it and you like it use it. Just use it in moderation and don 't use it near stairs. Think of the walker like mud, kids like mud and mud isn 't good for them, but it is fun for them. Are you going to keep your kids from the mud?? I wouldn 't either.

Posted by: Mommy of 2) on 2009-04-10, 10:24:21

My son used one and he walked at 9 months...He loved it and I bought a new girlie one for my daughter.

Posted by: melheartsduckie on 2009-04-10, 14:40:44

I think your baby 's "locomotor thing " will be just fine, lol. They just advise you not to leave your baby in there ALL the time. Since you already only put her in for short amounts of time (what I 've read always says 30 minutes tops) I am certain you 're fine. Your baby might enjoy being included at the family dinner table though, my baby always sits with us and seems to like it. BUT if you just want/ need some peace or your baby freaks out at the table, by all means use a walker! Personally, I put my baby in her jumperoo maybe 2 times per day, and usually for less than 30 minutes but I don 't watch the clock like a hawk if she 's happy.