Walkers YAY or NAY

I didnt use a walker with my first DD and she walked by her 1st bday. With 2nd DD our baby sitter requested a walker. DH thinks we should give it a shot. Did you use a walker? Why or why not. We currently have the exesaucer.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

DS had a walker and he walked by himself by 9.5 months

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

no, we didn't because of everything we read about it being unsafe.

I also read that research showed babies that use walkers tend to walk later. Also, though ppl think they are safer now, than before, they are not. The still fall down stairs, babies can run into walls, ...

Message edited 6/8/2008 8:03:03 PM.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

I think it's fine as long as she has baby gates, etc. is there is no chance of it falling down stairs.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

Nope. Never used one. DD began walking at 10mths. We preferred to give her the walkers that allows her the ability to push on her own so she can learn how to maneuver and fall and pull herself back up. In addition to walkers being unsafe, we have stairs, DD doesnt like to be confined. So the push walkers allowed her to be free and explore while still learning to walk.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

next time around I'm definately getting a walker. I didn't with DS and he really doesn't get the taking steps thing.

I think nowadays with the way they are manufactured the real safety issues are with the parents. Make sure all steps are blocked off properly and you will be ok.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

My ped told me over and over no walkers (the kind that they go into) he said he has seen too many supervised accidents. If you want to go with a walker - why not try those that they walk behind and push? Like this one that the seat goes down and they can also ride:

Message edited 6/8/2008 9:45:28 AM.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

we used a walker on vacation and he liked it...but at home he had a push toy that he was addicted to for months.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

DD used a walker while I took her to work from 4-10 months old. She walked at 14.5 mths.

DS was using a walker and he's 12 mths and not walking yet either

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

I don't understand what kind of accidents everyone is talking about? Walkers are MUCH different now than they were 20 years ago, and seeing my kids use one for a while, I can't see how they are unsafe. Unless you are not watching them near the stairs or something, but otherwise what is wrong with them? To me, it's no different than the exersaucer really, except it moves around. Keep an eye on your kid, and there will be no problems!

The walker really helped strengthen their leg muscles and to get the knack of walking. I found the walking toys were not good when they were trying to walk at first. It would not help with the balancing, and would roll away from them. Once DS started to walk, then it was good.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

DH uncle got us a walker for DS. He has been using it for a few months now (he just turned 9 months).

We love it. As long as it is not around stairs, I don't see any problem with him using it. He can move around on his own and loves chasing the cat around..

(the only problem I have with it is DS has gotten really good at ramming into our feet and ankles with it... OUCH! )

I am actually more nervous about the push walkers because I am afraid that it is going to slide out from under him and he is not secure enough on his feet for that to happen. I like that the sit in walkers allow them to still move around on their own even when they can't fully support themselves yet.

But like everything else... you will find many people who love them and many more who hate them and would never use them!

I guess my only concern with a baby sitter wanting one is the amount of time she would have DC in it.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

ds used a walker but I would limit his time in it... he started walking around 11 months...

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

NAY for my DS. Not so much over the accidents but I personally think that they won't help a child walk any faster or better - I don't get the whole sitting and walking thing...we don't do it so I'm not sure how it helps the kids..

But with all due respect I think it's each parent's individual decision to make. And for the record...I think the little munchkins look so cute in them!

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

My boys LOVED it , sometimes they got bored in the excersaucer, I think they felt they had more freedon by walking around. We had it downsatirs, so there was no worry here.
My boys walked at 13 months.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

with my DD I never had a walker because of all the bad stories about injuries I was too scared.....with my DS his grandpa gave him a walker and he LOVES it. WE have baby gates up and baby proofed the main part of the house. Now I wish I had used one for my DD after seeing how much he enjoys it! The walkers that I saw being sold in the store now have stoppers that prevent the walker from going on an uneven surface. They definitely have changed.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

So far we do not have one. We do think we need a toy that he pushes from behind but we aren't sure about a walker. He loves his exersaucer. He also loves to stand and play with the activity table and he will take steps to get to another toy on the activity table. At his age, I am happy with his progress.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

we use a walker DS is 9 months and is allready couch cruzing ( but I dint think it had anything to do with the walk- its just easyer for us to put him in there somethimes- but he is growing out of it)

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

I was thinking about getting a walker and I knew that
people often said children could get into accidents in them, but I figured I would supervise very well when my DH was in it. My husband, mom and I actually went to BRU to purchase one and there were only 2 kinds available. The worker at the store really discouraged us from getting one. So we left without one and I went home to do more research and found that studies showed that walkers could delay a babies motor and mental development, and some chiropractors argue they may affect the spine.
I found a few articles, but here is one in particular:

http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/20/25/03.html

With that being said I know many babies who used walkers and actually walked on the early side. I mean many parents on this thread have used walkers and they said there babies walked early. Like anything else I am sure moderation is key. I probably will not get one, but I am still curious about them.

Re: Walkers YAY or NAY

We got one for my DS simply b/c we thought he would like it and like the freedom of moving around on his own. And he absolutely loved it. We only used it at my mom's b/c we have a lot of stairs and he spent most time there anyway. He was always supervised. He walked at 13 months but I don't think he would have walked any faster OR slower without the walker. I don't really buy into the concept that they harm babies development, but even if it were true, it's not like he was in it for hours every day.