Your Take on Walkers/Activity Centers

Emma - posted on 03/25/2010

My chiropracter advised me before my son was born not to go anywhere near baby walkers and bouncers as it can cause damage in later life to the legs and spine. However i was given both a baby walker and activity centre, Kai is 6 months and loves them so much, he runs round like a mad thing in his walker. The thing is if we listened to all the advise on what not to do, are children would never do anything. As long as he's not in for a long period of time i cant see the harm.

Kathy - posted on 03/25/2010

my 6 month old LOVES her exersaucer, but walkers are banned here in Canada, and I believe they have been for a long time. I can't say it will help her learn to walk but she's happy and she loves it. She also loves being on a playmat on the floor where she can play and roll and have fun that way. She's not crawling yet and is only 6 months so its more for entertainment than teaching her to walk now anyway. If we could get walkers here I would still stick with the exersaucer because we have more stairs than room in our split level home and I don't want ANY accidents

Kristen - posted on 03/25/2010

My brother in law is a chiropractor and all I have heard is that you don't want to start until around 6 months because of the chance for your child to be bow-legged. Other than that, I would say it is okay to use. I was actually going to go out and get a walker soon! My Mitchell is going to love it!

Jenna - posted on 03/25/2010

I have never heard that before. I have heard health visitors say you shouldnt use them as it it bad for there legs and can make them bow legged! But i think there great!! as long as the baby isn't in them for long periods of time.
I wouldn't worry keep using it! x

Nicole - posted on 03/23/2010

In Canada walkers are banned. They are a hazard because of stairs and parents who don't there kids. I would use one if I had one though.

Jennifer - posted on 03/23/2010

Both my husband and I had accidents in our walkers. My tooth actually went through my lip and i still have a scar today. Our son has a Jumperoo that he loves and down at my in-laws he has a exersaucer that we just got. He hasnt gotten into the exersaucer yet but i am sure once he figures it out he will love it. He has been weight bearing on his legs pretty much from the begining.

Kelly - posted on 03/23/2010

Thats ridiculous to me! My oldest learned to walk early (10 months) and my 6 month old is on her way now. She is in her walker for 45 minutes in the morning, walking all over the house and then in the evening for another half-hour or so. There is nothing wrong with it- when she bumps into a wall or gets into the hall and is "stuck", she's learned to get herself out. She is learning how to use her body and her mind at the same time. I take the toys off the tray of her walker so she can focus on one thing at a time. But even if there are toys on the walker, she still walks with ease. I practice walking with her without the walker for a half hour throughout the day too to help her work on correcting her stance and futher muscle coordination (it takes almost every muscle in the body to walk, amazingly).



My doctor told me not to give my eldest whole milk and not to feed my 6 month old meat until 9 months...there are tons of opinions out there but the best is what you as mothers (and fathers) feel is right. You don't need to go to medical school for that. Intuition is God-given, thankfully.

Sarah - posted on 03/23/2010

my little 1s just over 6 months he has been in a walker sinse about 5 months he loves it it gives him that freedom 2 go were he wants 2 i just keep an eye on him n dont leave him in all day put him on his belly as well as long as its not 2 long should be fine my doc says fine i also hold his hand and help him walk himself as well and he doing fine so just do what u think that the best thing i think

Elizabeth - posted on 03/23/2010

The only thing I have heard about is the impedement of walking on their own also. We have have walker/acttivity centers for both of my kids. Just don't use it as crutch to to keep your child busy. Just use in moderation.

Alicia - posted on 03/22/2010

My mom bought my son a walk for chrstmas [[at 3 months old]] and he barely uses it....we have used it more as a makeshift high chair more than anything...I read in WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FIRST YEAR that a walker puts your child in an unnatural stance that is not effective in actually teaching him to walk so the term "walker" is ironic...I just put my son on the floor with toys. I kind of what him to be more of an independent baby and child so I let him explore and make his own entertainment when we cannot be there to do so with him...I think developmentally he is progressing faster than a lot of my friends that have babies his age. He can support himself on the side of the couch and his activity center...and he is attempting to crawl...he just does not know what to do when he gets to his knees :-) ...I know these things may not seem like much, but it is more than what my friend's babies are attempting because they are content in their walkers and bouncers...SOOOO I say ditch the walker, or use it sparingly...let him explore and get the even more priceless moment of chasing mommy on his hands and knees or taking that first step by himself! I think it is so fascinating how standing up in itself is a more exciting toy for my son than anything he could possible find on the floor!

Janine - posted on 03/22/2010

Walkers are banned where I am from in Canada, you can't buy them anywhere. Its mainly because of parents who haven't watched there kids and they have fallen down stairs, or have flipped in them because of lips in flooring. But personally i like them, it gives my 6 month old some freedom, I have something similar to a walker but it just doesn't have wheels, she can still push it around.

Allison - posted on 03/22/2010

Our pediatrician said NO walkers also, just not safe enough. We put our daughter in a jumperoo and she loves it

CYNTHIA - posted on 03/22/2010

I just came from my 6 month daughter's appointment today. It's so funny because one of the nurses was telling me that they are going to take walkers off the market. But what do I do in order for her to sit still while I'm cleaning my house or cooking in the kitchen? I think I'll find something else that she can sit in but I already have a walker for her already! I think it should be ok once you are looking at your child!

Christianne - posted on 03/21/2010

I was told the same thing 2 months ago when I went to my sons 4 month check as well as to stay away from the jolly jumpers as it is to much trauma on there legs although now he is 6 months I am considering getting a jumperoo as it is fine as long as there toes are just touching there legs. Apparently the walkers are very dangerous as when hitting something it can impact there body like whip lash when we have a car accident as there heads are a lot heavier and harder to control at that age I also no of a lot of them tipping or falling down stairs with babies in them (apparently I did when I was little so my mum tells me) I was just told to do lots of floor work with him. But I think just do what you think is best for him he will learn and grow into who ever he will be whether he plays in it or not

Nikkole - posted on 03/21/2010

i never heard of a walker being to much trauma for a baby. every baby see hit a wall with a walker gigglers. people have been saying for years that they are going to be taking off the market. my lil girl has one and she loves it. we only have her in they for a lil bit each day, same with her jumperoo. my mom and friends all put they babys in walker and it never slowed down their devlopment. and baby fall down the step in walker bc parents dont know how to watch them or baby safty their homes.

Kisha - posted on 03/21/2010

I have heard that walkers are bad, but to use them in moderation. To the mom's who are saying use saucers and jumperoos instead, they have the same problem. The seating in a saucer and walker is the Exact same, meaning your child is in the same position, so how can their be a difference in muscle development? None of these is great for a child physically, but most of them have toys that help with mental stimulation and learning, so do your research, and whatever you choose to do, or whichever item you choose to use, do it in moderation.

Julia - posted on 03/20/2010

I believe they have banned walkers in Canada - so we can't get them here. There were too many instances of babies walking themselves down flights of stairs because parents forgot to baby proof the stairs if they put their LO's in walkers. Other than that I don't know much about them. Part of me figures that under a careful eye, your son is probably okay, but the other part of me thinks that if your Pedi tells you to find an alternative, then that is probably best. Excersaucers have a bunch of toys and are the same sort of thing, but stationary... and you can get jumpers with lots of toys on them also. Perhaps they would be a good alternative?

Andrea - posted on 03/20/2010

I have been also been told by a phiso therapist that the saucers and bumbo chairs are not good for there devlopment. But didn't tell me not to use them. I would think as long as you use modaration it should be all right. I have heard that they don't sell them here anymore. I wish I had one for my little one.

August - posted on 03/20/2010

My dr gave me a letter that said that walkers are actually PROVEN to DELAY walking and NOT to put your baby in one. I let my son play in his saucer but thats different then a walker. The activity in a saucer is (as I read) crucial for social skills with a baby. I will not put my son in a walker, but he loves his saucer lol

Gotsome - posted on 03/20/2010

I was told to limit the activity time to 20 mins a day. We use an activity centre but apparently walkers, activity centres, jumpers don't promote the development of strong leg & core muscles. Moderation is probably the key.

Nicole - posted on 03/19/2010

The started saying that about 2 years ago when I had my first baby, they say it slows the children down and makes them have pointed feet and they don't learn to walk correctly.....however I did have one dr tell me they are fine in moderation, that statement is more for the parents who don't interact with their kids at all and put them in the walker from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed.

Marize - posted on 03/19/2010

I have a friend who is a physio therapist who said that they don't recommend that babies use walkers as it can impede (instead of aid) them when they have to start walking (something about they're legs aren't ready for the pressure or something like that). However, I have a lot of friends whose kids were in walkers and they are walking fine now, so I think just use your discretion. When he's in the walker, just make sure he has enough room to move so that he doesn't bump into stuff :-)

Amy - posted on 03/18/2010

I love using a walker. my daughter has fun in it and loves to be in hers. she is not i it all the time but she does stay in it for a little while each day. i think that even if the walker isnt teaching babies to walk it is still helping build their leg muscles. just as a jumperoo does. and even if its not the proper walking techinque they are still learning that "hey if i move my feet and legs like this i can go over there" and that is the basic idea of walking correct? i just think its easier to let them explore a bit in a walker as well as teaching the correct walking techniques.

Tessa - posted on 03/18/2010

We don't use one becaues it won't actually teach him to walk. I'd rather he practice on his own with our help.

Joan - posted on 03/18/2010

Eh, I would leave him in it! We used them when we were kids and were fine. I'd let my daughter but she doesn't like it. She is a jumperoo kid through and through. She loves it. I'd almost say she's addicted! We tried the walker but she just wanted to jump so it frustrated her.

Kellie - posted on 03/18/2010

it's really for parents that don't watch there kids and they steer themselves down a flight of stairs. that's the trauma he talks about. just use in moderation and keep your eyes on him. i'd continue!

Julee - posted on 03/18/2010

Too funny! Just wait until he can walk on his own! These pediatricians need to learn not to say things like "trauma" to us first-time moms! :)

Casandra - posted on 03/18/2010

Yea the natural walking position seems very feasible as a reason to not use it as often, I just got kind of worried when she said trauma being a first time parent and all its a tad overwhelming sometimes, but he does love it, he loves chasing me haha :)

Julee - posted on 03/18/2010

I've never heard that as a reason to stop the use of the walker. That just seems a little harsh, you know? I HAVE heard from two different physical therapists that a walker is not good to use all the time because it's actually NOT a natural walking position that they are in. If I were you? I'd still use it because he likes it, but just not a ton. Also, and I'm sure you know this...make sure stariways are gated so he can't get into any danger!