Walkers

I always hear about people saying that walkers aren't good for babies. What's the theory to that? Is it bad for their posture or something? I just bought one and they seem to love em thus far..

 

It is supposed to slow down their ability to walk on their own b/c they become dependent on the walker. I don't know anyone who this has happened to. In our case, DD and DS were never really into walkers anyway. They were just something fun to push around every now and again.

 

That's the same thing I heard, but it didn't happen to us. My girls loved the walkers and started walking on their own at 12 months.

 

What kind of walker did you get? Or did you use?
Are we talking the "old school" kind like I had as a baby--round, wheels on the bottom, sit in it?
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2835095

Thanks!

 

yes.. thats almost the exact one i got

 

I think the main problem with those is that you really have to babyproof your house a ton, as they can go all over. They're banned in Canada because people were careless about it (they used them on top of stairs, idiots) so it was easier to blame the walker than the people...

I think they're fine in moderation, it's just that like all 'stationary' toys, it doesn't really help them working on the muscles they need to learn to crawl, walk etc.

 

QUOTE(Fran27 @ Jan 9 2009, 05:30 PM) [snapback]1140311[/snapback]
I think they're fine in moderation

I agree. I used them with all 5 kids with no problems. They loved them!

 

QUOTE(Fran27 @ Jan 9 2009, 05:30 PM) [snapback]1140311[/snapback]
I think the main problem with those is that you really have to babyproof your house a ton, as they can go all over. They're banned in Canada because people were careless about it (they used them on top of stairs, idiots) so it was easier to blame the walker than the people...

I think they're fine in moderation, it's just that like all 'stationary' toys, it doesn't really help them working on the muscles they need to learn to crawl, walk etc.


Yep, the biggest risk was parents were using it as a "babysitter" and not watching their kids. Kid gets to some stairs, falls down them, parents blame walkers and try to sue, hence the warnings on them.

My dd wanted to get around SO badly, but wasn't walking yet. We bought her a walker similar to what was posted, she used it for about 6 wks almost every day and LOVED it! Then all of a sudden she wanted to start cruising, and never looked back since!

She didnt' walk until 15 months but she was also a very big baby and had trouble holding her own weight up, she was 9 lbs 12 oz at birth My ds walked at 13 months, no walker used, and he was 5 lbs 13 oz at birth

 

I totally second the comment about them not being unattended toys. We never bought a walker like that one, but used one at a friends house one day and one of my boys managed to flip the thing over in the kitchen on the tile the second he got out of our sight. He was fine, but it scared us all to death.

We do however have the stand up and walk behind them walkers and both the boys absolutely LOVE them. It took a day or two for them to learn not to lean on it too much and face plant when it got away from them though. Now they chase me all over the house amidst shrieking and gales of laughter.