Are walkers really safe for my child?

Question

My child is just over eight months old right now. She has been standing on her own since five and a half months old, and she can crawl extremely well. She can halfway "cruise" but not very well. I would rather not put her in the walker, as she is mobile enough on her own, and I have heard so many conflicting stories as to whether or not walkers are safe. So my question is this.
Walkers themselves, are they safe or not? I realize she will need extreme supervision while in the walker, but I have been told that walkers can hurt the ankles, legs, etc. and teach bad walking habits, in addition to putting excess strain on the muscles. Is this true, or not?

Thank you all so much!
Justin

Answer 1

walkers are safe as long as you supervise your child, the problem comes in with no supervision. there is another alternative an excersaucer is a great alternative to the walker and excersaucer is very important for the development of the back muscles and neck muscles. when we have a preemie in the childcare we turn them around backwards and prop them in it with a blanket, Dr,s are amazed at how quick there muscled develope. the saucer doesn't need constant supervision.

Answer 2

Danger goes hand in hand with supervision. Pay attention to your little one and he will be fine. My kids loved the walker. With my oldest, I had a linoleum floor so the wheels went fast at times and my son would roar with laughter. He was well supervised so we had no problems. Block off stairs. Majority of walker accidents occur because of th kid falling down steps. Sometimes as kids get taller, it becomes easier to tip the walker. Most of the body can lean above the walker table and that's not a good balance. Walkers today are made with adjustable heights so use it. When going from carpet to linoleum flooring, I would lift up the walker at this time. That would be a tipping risk. Keep hazardous items out of baby's reach. He can reach things in a walker that he wouldn't be able to reach with crawling. Don't overuse the walker. Crawling is the best exercise to get them ready for walking. If you don't or can't supervise the baby then put away the walker. Babies who can't walk aren't going to place themselves in a walker. When you see a baby in a walker it's because an adult or older child put them in there. Once a baby can walk then get rid of the walker. It could become problematic then. It's really common sense and the potential hazards become obvious to most people. Some parents don't use common sense and walkers can be dangerous for those babies.

Answer 3

hey Justin
walkers are really good..but first of all try getting her a good brand walker that is not cheap and can causes harm to your child..while she is is the walker just keep away things that might injure her or things that can be damaged like glass...etc..also if u want her to feel free while in the walker and u feel thats she is safe put her in place where she can use the walker with not feeling tighted and dont forget to close the doors :D
PS: keep her away from stairs..that way will make you and her feeling happy :D
and about walkers can hurt the ankle,legs and teach bad walking habits these things arent true and all of the children i know used walkers even me when i was a child and nothing bad happened and they dont strain on muscles..
Good luck :D

Answer 4

As with any other product on the market, I am sure some brands make higher quality products than others. Do your research before buying. Check for recalls and consumer reports. Obviously a walker isn't a requirement so if your not comfortable with it, don't do it. My son had one and loved it but I didn't as a child and I learned to walk just fine!!

I would recommend talking to your child's pediatrician if you are worried about the physical aspects of a walker. He/She will be able to give you straight facts.

Answer 5

I think if you limit her time in the walker she would be fine. Same for saucers. I have 3 children. They didn't have a walker but one of those round entertainers. They all walked according to schedule with no problems. No I can't get them to sit down~lol.
Not to do with walkers but one thing you brought up about walking habits and such. My son is 5 now, but as a toddler and until most recently sat on his legs bent under, so the heels of his feet would touch his butt (if you can picture what I am describing). Actually a lot of kids sit like this. This made him intoe a bit. The pediatician said it is b/c he sat like that. I think it's called tibial inversion. It will straighten, as long as he doesn't sit like that. Just a related tidbit.

Answer 6

Walkers are great and they are fun for the child. Just be sure to use one of the newer models that is designed to not fit through doorways and don't use it outside. As for it damaging muscles, I'm not a Dr. but I've never heard of that happening. I used one when I was that age and my daughter used one. We are both fine. As long as you watch the child you will be fine and you will both have fun. Enjoy this age it goes so fast.

Answer 7

I personally don't feel walkers are bad or unsafe..Of course the older ones were unsafe..As they were round and would tip over easily..The ones now are made very safe tho..
In my personal opinion it helps to strengthen their legs..And will help them to walk faster..
I did not put my youngest son in one for a long time..But he wasn't walking when he should have been..The doctors told me he was just lazy..So, I got a walker for him..Within about a month he was walking..

Answer 8

i used walkers with both of my sons and they have no leg,ankle or walking problems.actually they both were walking on their own before 9 months of age.yes you need to watch them when theyre in it but thats common sense.i dont feel they really help them learn to walk but babys like to be standing up and a walker is a great way for them to do it.also they feel more independant because they can cruise around w/o any help.

Answer 9

That is true. I have 3 kids and never used a walker. I agree with you. She sounds like she isn't too far from figuring it out on her own. Get the bandages ready! Enjoy her while she's young!

Answer 10

Hi Justin,
There are so many mixed opinions out there on this topic, yes there are warnings not to use them for the reasons you listed, In the end it's your choice, Our daughter was like yours and also very strong in her legs, so we decided to get one for her, It was the best thing we ever brought, she absolutely loved it, she grew out of it at 10months
(she is very tall for her age) and walked a month later with no problems what so ever.