Anyone elses 5 month old using a baby walker yet?

Nazeera - posted on 01/30/2010

hi katy i just got my 6 month old baby a walker, he really loves it . he tends to go backwards rather than forward. he has strong legs and loves it.

Samantha - posted on 01/28/2010

my son, william is now 6 monthes an has bin standing since he was 3 monthes, iv also got the bruises on my thighs, he has bin in a door bouncer from a few weeks and a walker for the last 3 weeks which he loves he follows me from room to room and now walks flat footed instead of on is toes so i think it has improved his leg strength if anything, as since hes been using the walker he has started walking along the furniture unaided. my health visitor has said ther is nothing to worry about developmentaly as he is supported in the walker and that some babys just arnt intrested in crawling and pik up walking facter than others.

Liza - posted on 01/28/2010

yes my son is 6 months and i have a baby walker for him, however he cant seem to figure out that hes supposed to walk in it he can figure out that he can go backwards but not foward. Its not dangerous at all as long as you take the precautions of using the gates for stairs in your home, that is if you have any. It will actuallu help then walk earlier then they should.

Alison - posted on 01/27/2010

My daughter just turned 6months old and we bought her the jeep walker from Babies R Us when she was 3 months old and she started "walking" in it at 4 months old. She loves it!

Courtney - posted on 01/26/2010

My son just got a walker for Christmas but I haven't really used it yet. He is a strong baby also, been standing up by 6 weeks (with help, of course) and loves to jump.

Reply to Kate, it's actually scientifically proven that your baby will not end up bow legged by standing before he/she is walking.

Paula - posted on 01/26/2010

yes definatley my little boy has been in a walker since 18 weeks lol he loves it

Kate - posted on 01/25/2010

i had my bub in one at 3 1/2 months, it is ok, but u just need to make sure that they're not in it too much, because their bones are so maluable and if they put too much pressure on them tooo often, the may bow, but it should be fine

Karen - posted on 01/25/2010

My mom was just talking about this....and of course, she's the BABY EXPERT! she said you aren't supposed to let babies try to stand too much ( my boy is 6mos) as their little joints and sockets aren't ready yet. My son has beefy strong legs and I keep saying he's going to walk before he crawls. We have one of those baby einstein things that he can sit/stand in and play with all the toys around him (we call it his wheelie) and you can see the difference that made in his leg strength. of course my mom also had to throw in her infamous statement "all babies are different'. I would ask the doc, but I see in most of these posts that all of our babies are close to the same stage, so you must be on the right track.

Katy - posted on 01/24/2010

No probs Liz, glad I could help x

Liz - posted on 01/24/2010

Yeah I have tried that, he has always stood on his toes even when he is on my knees or I hold him on the ground. He is tall enough for it but I will lower it again anyway and see how he goes, he just tends to tuck his feet behind him when it is lower and doesnt go anywhere but I suppose if he likes being mobile then he will have to learn to walk with his knees bent. Thanks for that :)

Alicia - posted on 01/24/2010

My daughter is 6 months now. I started her in the walker at 4 months. She loves it. She chases the dogs around the house, its so funny to watch... I just keep it at the lowest height adjustment for now. She wants to walk so bad and I think she loves getting to were she wants to be without my help... :)

Katy - posted on 01/23/2010

Liz,
I've spoken to the physio about this. Your child MUST be flat footed. Walking on their toes teaches the wrongly and can actually hinder their walking development. You'll need to drop the height level of the seat in baby walker until they're standing properly.

Liz - posted on 01/23/2010

Hi Katy,
My son was 4 and a half months when he started using his walker. He has loved to stand from day dot. I remember when he was 2 weeks old and one of my friends complained "i cant get him to sit on my lap" because he just wanted to stand.
When my mother-in-law watched him in the walker on his second day she was stunned and said that he was amazing because most babies go backwards first! He also loves his 'Jolly Jumper', anything that keeps him upright :) But he doesnt roll much and he is not crawling yet either. I have been told by my health nurse that he should be having more tummy time and less walker and jolly jumper time because it can affect his development. I do still let him run around in it because he just loves being mobile but I give him alot more tummy time so he can work on his other skills. The other thing I noticed is that he always stands on his toes not flat footed and I do worry that when the time comes for him to walk unaided it might cause a problem.

Rachel - posted on 01/22/2010

Everyone says not to let your child use one, but my daughter likes hers. We're in an apartment, so there's no falling danger. She also likes her exersaucer. Both were gifts and she really enjoys the standing up!

Katy - posted on 01/22/2010

Thanks everyone for all your helpfull comments. My son is only ever in his walker for 20 mins at a time and really does like it. House has been baby proofed too. I also encourage him to try walking out of the walker, so he's not just relying on it, and learning properly.
It's so cute when he follows me round the house as I'm doing things, altho I do have to watch my heals!!!!

Sarah - posted on 01/22/2010

to quote morgan nunn, i can't see how it's hindering their developmental process. as long as they are using the walker properly.... my son puts one foot in front of the other and walks flat footed, not on tiptoes and stands with his whole body upright so is actually imitating 'walking' not 'pushing himself along'

Sarah - posted on 01/22/2010

hi katy. our son started in a walker at 3 months old. he too had very strong legs & arms, great head/neck control from a young age and would take steps if you held onto him etc. they're not too bad for development as long as they are not in them for too long at one time or too often, also let him tak steps when not in walker as well to keep the upper leg muscles developing properly.

Tiffany - posted on 01/21/2010

my son loves his walker. he is 6.5 months. we got his walker when he was 3 months as a gift but didnt start using it till 5 months. the main concern i have heard about is the child walkin backwards in them instead of forwards. but my son hasnt done that. and as far as it hurting the leg development i would think it helps because they r usin their legs and it strengthens them.

Tuesday - posted on 01/21/2010

yes the dr said its grate to exercise thire legs but i read somwhere that the walker does not help them walk it only stangthens there uper leg mucels so keep helping him walk try letting him hold on to the couch that should help with those bruses i have the same ones divine is 6 months and is serfing the couch have fun and baby prof the house.

Misty - posted on 01/21/2010

I do not believe there is any developmental issue to worry about here. My son uses a walker, and 2 types of "jumpers" and has been for some time (he is 6 mo 2 wks) I mean ya his legs are getting beefy, but the doctor loves it ! The only thing that might happen is the child might skipp over crawling and go right to walking! I've known kids to do that. . .So it all depends on your child and what the best decision for you guys as a family is, and if your ever worried about developmental issues caused by anything remember to just call your doctors office and talk with the nurse for medical advice before making decisions.

Jeanette - posted on 01/21/2010

that's adorable! mine has been in jumper/walker toys since 5mos but we have the stationary ones - i think if there were wheels then yes he'd be all over the place but not with any real directional control - we also have a 'kickin' coaster' that he loves

Tonya - posted on 01/20/2010

Not at all, this only helps strengthen you baby's muscles! Keep it up! Although as soon as you notice any problems get it checked out immediately if you can't seem to work it out yourself.

Chrisitna - posted on 01/20/2010

I put my daughter in a walker about 5 months. She is going backwards in it. Her legs are really strong. We have one of those disney ones with pooh on it.

Melanie - posted on 01/20/2010

mine too...my little girl starts using walker when she was 5 mos old and now she's 6 months she follows us around the house....

Manouchka - posted on 01/20/2010

Hi Katy, my son uses one as well and it's like 'mom, why have you deprived me of this for so long' lol. but being moms, you know when your child is or isn't ready for the next step. i have 2 boys and the first was no where NEAR where my 2nd is at right now. hope this helped.

Ebony - posted on 01/20/2010

yes ma'ma. my son also loved standing every since he was born so my grandmother bought him a walker that he started just slowly moving in around 4 and 1/2 months by five months he was loving it and now i can't keep him in one spot. my doctor was concerned only about them being close to steps or things falling on them but stated it was fine for the legs. she had perferred we use a staionary walker but the baby is having none of that. aren't they just growing up so fast u have to love every moment of discovery.

Des-Tinee' - posted on 01/20/2010

My son is the same way, he just turned6 months and is crawling and tryng to go everywhere. I bought him a walker and he is all over the house. I dont think so but I was wondering th same thing but his doctor didnt say anything was wrong with it.

Christina - posted on 01/20/2010

Personally, I didn't buy a walker for my son, not because they are unsafe (which they are but I believe they shouldnt be near stairs in the first place) but because I have read that they actually delay walking. Supposively they teaach babies that they dont need to use their leg muscles to get around. I don't know how much they delay them but I just got him a stationary jumper/activity center. I am sure if you dont have them in it all the time its probably not a huge deal. My son was also walking while holding my hands at 4 months and Walking on his own at 10 months. I will never know for sure if having him in a walker could have kept him from it or not.

Tammy - posted on 01/20/2010

My little girl seems to be going to jump the crawling stage and go straight for walking. She rather be standing in her walker. She is not a lay me down baby. I have a friend at church who said she actually began to walk at 6 months of age. So it is possible. Good luck.

Lori - posted on 01/20/2010

I let my son use the walker early. He was probably 4 1/2 months. He picked it up quick. Yes, he did go backwards @ first. Now he can go forward and tries to run away in it when you chase him. It's just another toy to play with throughout the day, hels not in it all the time.

Natalie - posted on 01/20/2010

Interesting comments.
Here in Europe (well in Belgium/Luxembourg) walkers aren't encouraged or sold in many places however I do not think they're illegal.
Personally I'm not going to buy one for my 6 month old however I don't feel they are that dangerous. I would say do not leave the baby in them (or the jumpers) too long. That's the main thing. Even if the baby is enjoying it, 30-60 minutes at a time is fine.

GLADYS - posted on 01/19/2010

i also started using a walker at an early age but my aunt advised me to stop using it because it was said to cause rickets, and others were saying he is not yet strong. but to be honest i could see no problems and i realized ma son was enjoying walking more than anything else, to conclude i don't know how true these myths can be

Shalaina - posted on 01/19/2010

I was just at the doctor's today and they didn't say too much about the walkers but definitely said to make sure you only keep your child in the jumpers for no more than 30 minutes because it can delay the development of their motor skills. So, I would think that they are good but only work a certain part of their body and you just need to make sure they get a full body work out :)

Michelle - posted on 01/19/2010

I have one for my son who is 6 1/2 months old but hes had it a while hes not moving around like urs is mine just scoots backwards in it. For safety just make sure to keep away from stairs and dont let him be in it all the time because it doesnt work their upper thighs as much as needed. (at least thats what I heard.)

Melissa - posted on 01/19/2010

My son has been using a walker since he was 4 months..hes about to be 6 months in week

Samantha - posted on 01/19/2010

Hi. My son is 6 months old, and we started him in a walker when he was 5 months. He hasn't started whizzing around like your son, but I don't see what it would hurt for him to be in a walker if he likes it & uses it. Our son just likes to be up where he can see everything.

Vicki - posted on 01/19/2010

Oh yea my daughter has been using her walker since she was 4 months... shes running in it now and chaseing our dog in it... and us... :) Like the walker we have has 3 levels of standing... when she was first using it she was on the losest setting and now she is on the middle one... so if her legs get tired she just squat a little to rest... its not bad at all its actually great from what her Doctor said. she is above the learning curve... my daughter will not crawl she doesnt like to be on her stomach at all so this was the next think I could think of.

Caprice - posted on 01/19/2010

My son was round 5 months when he went in a walker =)

Fiona - posted on 01/19/2010

My son has had his since about four and half months. I use it mainly when I am in the kitchen cause I can put him out of the danger zone, but he can still see me. He gets annoyed if I leave him in the next room, so a lot easier for him to be with me. He just gets annoyed when he goes backwards (started forward walking today!) and jams himself in a corner!



I do ensure he has plenty of floor time though, cause I would like him to crawl first. It is used more as a distraction technique for 15 mins while I prepare dinner. Once hubby is home I can get stuck into the cooking etc cause he can play with him.

Kellie - posted on 01/19/2010

I have a 6mo. old who has been in a walker since she was 4 1/2 mo. She loves it, as do I. It keeps her busy while I need to do housework. It is too dangerous, he will be fine. Also, if any concerns ask your doctor about it. :)

Hayley - posted on 01/19/2010

my girl has always been really good on her feet also. igot her a jolly jumper at 5 months instead of a walker and she absolutely loves it. she is now nearly 6 months and everytime i bring it out her whole face just lights up and she gets so excited.

i'd just like to point out that some babys walk before they crawl. i have heard the best thing to do is encourage baby to crawl first as this will help them later on in life with their co-ordination.

Morgan - posted on 01/18/2010

those ones. lol

Michelle - posted on 01/18/2010

Those walker things on wheels are illegal in Canada. They have been banned and you can't buy them anywhere. It's illegal to even give an old one away. Which walkers are you referring to?

Victoria - posted on 01/18/2010

I would like to add that our house, yes, entire house, is now baby proofed, sockets, wires, drawers, cupboards, everything! We wanted to get used to all the safety stuff and we often have other young kids around so it was worth it, expensive though! Alex is free to run around our living space and there are no hazzards that I need to worry about.

Janilyn - posted on 01/18/2010

We do not have a walker but a door jumper and a Exercauser which she loves. She could jump all day long.

Shalaina - posted on 01/18/2010

My son has also been using an 'Exersaucer' since he was almost five months. It is the one that lets them walk around in circles because there is one post. They are safer since they can not go anywhere or fall down steps (which I know a child whose parents did not watch her and she did fall and had medical problems afterward) so please use caution and common sense! We have thought about getting one where he can walk with me because that's all he wants to do. He does not want to crawl at all!

Gail - posted on 01/18/2010

i read this and just tried my little boy in the one we were given... bless he can only just touch the floor but he like it and is making his back straight which i think will help with sitting up on his own. He is now happily watching daddy on the WII..



Dont leave your little one unattended in one,, and not sure about having in the kitchen though too many hazzords. I might try him in his high chair now, will make it easier.

Lauren - posted on 01/18/2010

my son is now 6months and has been in a waker since he was 3an half months old and at 3and half months he was movin backwards init as he is strong on his legs

Claire - posted on 01/18/2010

doesn't matter which one you buy aslong as itmoves she will love it, my daughter has always had really strong legs and as soon as she could touch the floor she went in her walker, she loves it and movesreally quickly!

Claire - posted on 01/18/2010

My daughter is now 6 months old but started using her walker at 5 months. Shee too has also loved standin since she was about 2 months! And I checked with my health visitor and it's fine, it does not cause bandy legs or hip problems like my nana kept telling me would happen lol