At what age can a baby go in a baby walker?

Question

And are they a good idea?

Answer 1

They can go into a walker when they're sitting up well on their own--usually about 5 or 6 months. If you put them in it before they can sit up well, they'll just flop back and forth and will be very uncomfortable and unhappy.

I think they're a good idea. The "experts" say they'll cause a baby to be bow-legged, take them longer to walk, etc. My older son started walking at 11 months and his little brother started walking a few days before his first birthday. They both loved their walker.

The main drawbacks are stairs. If you live in a house with a basement, if the gate isn't latched properly or if you (God forbid) forget to latch it, your baby could roll down the stairs and potentially kill herself, or at the very least, break her neck, back or fracture her skull. We lived in a one-story ranch, so this wasn't an issue for us. Also, babies can get into stuff in a walker. Everything that could hurt the baby has to be moved out of reach. If you do have stairs, most people recommend exersaucers. They're like a walker, but with no wheels. Wherever you put it is where it stays. There are numerous toys attached to it, and the seat spins around to keep your baby occupied/happy.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I've always been under the impression the baby should be able to hold their back straight on its own.

The walker should be sturdy and have a base that is very wide, so it won't tip. If you block stairs or do something like keep the baby in the walker in the kitchen a walker can give the baby mobility, which offers him a nice change of pace if he tends to find staying in one place all the time or having to crawl boring.

Many of the drawbacks people mention about walkers are associated with parents' not keeping a close enough eye or gating off certain parts of the house. Some babies (particularly premies) develop socially and intellectually more quickly than they develop physically, and they can get frustrated by their own lack of ability to do more physically. A walker is great for them.

Answer 4

I have a baby girl that will be 4 months Oct. 3rd & I put her in an exersaucer, in one of the door jumper swings (they will learn to walk faster), and in walker. I make sure she gets plenty exercise & practice! This is definately a good thing for your baby. Since all babies are different, I can't tell you an exact age to recommend putting her in a walker or the others mentioned above, but the sooner the better. As soon as she can hold her head steady (NOT sit up by herself), I would put her in it. Just make sure her feet can reach (put something below her feet, if needed) so she won't get tired out & so she is able to exercise. Mine has been in hers since she was 3 months & she is really coming along great! Practice makes perfect!

Answer 5

Walkers are NOT recommended!!! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has actually called for a ban on the manufacture and sale of walkers because of the huge risk of injuries and death - and not just from falling down stairs!

Some studies have shown that both walkers and ExerSaucers can cause temporary delays in development if they're overused. According to research, babies who spend a lot of time in them sit, crawl, and walk later than babies who don't. A baby trapped in a walker doesn't work the muscles necessary for those skills. In fact, babies use a different set of muscles to stay upright in a walker than they do to stay upright for walking.

Research also shows that because babies can't see their feet in a walker or ExerSaucer, they're deprived of the visual clues that would help them figure out how their bodies walk through space - a key part of learning to walk. They also don't learn to balance themselves - also vital in learning to walk.

If you must use something, use an ExerSaucer, but for no more than 30 minutes per session.

Answer 6

When they can hold their head and upper body up well. Usually around 4 months but an exersaucer is a better idea if you have stairs since the walker can fall down the stairs and with the johnny jumper if the doorway isn't wide enough the baby can bump into the doorway.

Answer 7

I never used a walker with my three kids because it would have allowed them to be mobile too soon and I think it probably would have effected their learning to walk normally.

I did, however, put them in one of those stationary exersaucer things. It kept them entertained while I did dishes, showered or made dinner and they got some exercise in their little legs by boucing up and down.... the Jolly Jumper, that hangs from the doorway, was another favorite of theirs.

I started trying them in these jumper toys at about four or five months of age, usually when they have the strength to hold their bodies and heads up straight and strong..... they need good control of their heads at least so they don't flop around. If they are too narrow to sit up straight in the seat, you can wrap a receiving blanket around their middle for a more snug fit in the seat.

If your little one is big enough to push his/her legs into a stand when you are holding them, then they are big enough to use on of these things because they allow standing/spinning/jumping but they still support the baby's weight.

You'll be better off with a stationary one, too, because you won't turn around for two seconds and find that the baby has scooted away to who knows where to pull a lamp down onto their head, like a friend of mine had happen. You can see them always because they are right where you left them.... and most likely they are plenty entertained by the activies on the tray while they are spinning/bouncing.

Answer 8

Baby walkers are generally not recommended anymore. My pediatrician was very much against using one (there can be and have been lots of injuries, especially with stairs, etc, plus kids can walk over and get into things). Instead those, exersaucers are recommended. Somewhere between 4-5 mos you can start, but gradually. What I love about the saucer, is that you can bring it into the bathroom (when they are a little older than 4 mos) and shower while they are occupied and happy.

Answer 9

around 4 months or so, if they can hold up their head on their own and are strong enough. I started my son in the exersaucer first. Dont use it around stairs or elevated surfaces and make sure its a walker with a sturdy base as not to tip over in any way. my 2 1/2 year old loved it and now my 4 month old also does. It didn't affect my older son's ability to walk, he was able to walk on his own at 11 months old. The walker gave him the capablilty of moving around his own and he loved it.

Answer 10

Talk to your pediatrician, baby walkers are no longer suggested for use with babies, you can purchase an activity center for your child (exersaucer) they can use these oncwe they turn 3 months old and have good head control, once they can pull themselves up they can then use a walk behind walker. If you do decide to use a walker, please make sure if you have steps or anyother dangerous obstacles that you use gates