Walkers

Okay now my 5 1/2 months olds are ready to run! Ever since we got two walkers and moved all the kitchen furniture all they want to do is go go go. They really have no use for floor time (although we still do that every AM) they just fuss and fuss until they get into the walkers and then it is smooth sailing... I mean they REALLY love them. My mom's friend (an RN) said not to put them in walkers too often because it can spread their hips. So my ??? are...

1. Is this true?
2. How often is TOO MUCH?

they are in them about a total of 2 hrs a day (maybe 3 somedays) I might play with them even more often in the walkers but I am afraid of damaging their lil legs.

 

i'm not sure of all the reasons/causes, but i think there is evidence that the walker can actually slow some development/walking. also can be dangerous if near any type of stair, but also because as they roll, if they hit anything or go over anhything, they can tip. our pedi and the therpaists wher ei work don't recomemdn them. i think the exersaucers and jumpers are ok though. i can't say i've ever heard the thing about the hips spreading though?? i don't think you will do your girls longterm damage in them, but like any stander/jumper, i'd say try to limit it to <1 hr. if possible and watch them closely.

 

All of my kids have used walkers and all have walked on time. Never heard of the spreading hips thing! I think it's one of those "everything in moderation" things. Of course they need to be well supervised in them, just as with anything else. I think I limited their time to about an hour a day, since most of the time they need to be on the floor anyway. My kids all loved them!! And it's so funny watching 2 babies playing bumpers cars!

 

Yes I usually sit on the floor with them when they are playing in the walkers so they are well supervised. We have a door on our stair with a hook latch way up high so the big kids cant unlock it. My biggest worry is when they get more power behind their pushes that they might hit my china cuboard that has antique jars on top (the really heavy ones) and one will come crashing down. I will decide what to do when that time comes. Sometimes we put them on the carpet because they cant really roll there. I am probably over estimating our time using them. But the last two days they have def. been longer than an hour... NOT straight of course... oh I would say 15-20 min. at a time several times a day. Thanks and anymore advise would be great.

 

My older DD used a walker and was actually walking by 11 months. Definitely didn't slow her development down nor caused any problems with her hips. Moderation of course!

 

Wow 5 1/2 and already busting out in the walkers LOL. My girls used walkers and turned out fine. The boys arent into it yet, although I give them more floor time right now more than anything. Their physical therapist only concern with using walkers, jumpers and saucers was foot development. She said if the feet can reach and be flat on the floor its fine.
I always here negativity on those things but Im all for it!

 

Our follow up nurse said that it can damage their hip joints. We were bummed because our girls love their rainforest jumparoo. (plus, we received a lot of paperwork from the hospital when we were discharged waring us to limit excersaucer and jumper time and prohibiting walkers... )

If we would let them, they would happily jump for over an hour at a time. (I wish I had their energy.) We limit their jump time to 15 min. every four hours during the day. (Darn nurse told us 10 min. twice a day but that is too hard for us to follow)

I wish I knew for sure that it would be fine to let them spend their play time jumping away...

Charla
Mom to frat. twin girls
12/18/06
30 weeks, 0 days
Adeline and Annabelle

 

My doctor told me that they shorten their achilles (sp?) tendons because they push with their toes instead of their feet. But do you know what my ds was in his so much and like your two loved it and there is nothing wrong with him at all. IMO I would just say as long as they are not in the for huge periods of time then dont worry to much about it x

 

My two little ones loved being in their walkers. My DD started walking right before 10months, and DS took his first steps at 11 months. So it didn't delay us any. But they only went in them whenever I had stuff to do in the kitchen - that is the biggest area for them to use them.

 

My son used his walker and loved it, and he walked btw 10-11 months. My girls love theirs - especially chasing their brother, the dog and the cat. I think sometimes people tell you that something bad could happen because it is better for them to be crawling, pulling up and trying to walk on their own. But I know a LOT of babies that used them (sometimes too much) and not one that has a hip problem or delayed walking. I just wouldn't overuse them and it doesn't sound like you are. My girls usually go in theirs right after they eat for maybe a half hour while I clean up. I got into that habit because they had reflux and would throw up all over the place if I put them on the floor too soon after eating. They probably spend, at the most 2 hours(broken up) in it during the day.

 

Thank you everyone. Great advice... I LOVE TS!! lol Well I think you all answered me very well.... I am going to continue using them. BTW did I mention since we started using the walkers they have abandoned the saucers and get P.Oed because they can move them! Maybe up to an hour a day or so. I dont remember who asked but yeppers 5 1/2 months and going!! I know it seems really early but I just tried setting them in one day and within a minute they were moving all around. As for the toe thing I do have a friend who has 3 daughters that are "toe walkers" and they have had to have surgery for the acilles tendon thing... but I dont think they used walkers at all... Okay I got one screaming... gotta go!

 

Walkers are no longer available in Canada due to safety issues. People used to use them a lot! I think instead of banning walkers they should ban silly parents who don't baby proof their homes so a baby in a walker can fall down stairs! Anyway, I'd love to try a walker (if I could get my hands on one).

Everything in moderation is a good rule for babies and adults alike if you ask me.

 

I didn't read all the replies (or really any of them) but I thought I would reply anyway.

We used a walker with DS. I was worried about using it because I was afraid he would walk on his toes. But he NEVER did. Not once has he ever walked on his toes (well, except now just for fun). He has never had any hip trouble or anything either. He walked right around a year. We only really put him in it when we had to be doing things (ie: cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.) and he got bored with his exersaucer. I hardly every had the wheels unlocked so he had to stay in place most of the time, I was too afraid of him falling over in it. But when I would unlock the wheels he was so excited and just loved it. I think walkers can be great for kids as long as (just like everything else) they are used in moderation.