Did your baby use a walker?? If so, at what age and which one?

Question

My son is 6.5 months old and currently loves his activity center. I am considering purchasing a walker for him soon because I remember how much new niece loved running around in hers. What are your opinions on using walkers...positive and negative? Also, for those of you who are for walkers....how old was your child when you started them and which walker do you suggest.

thanks!

Answer 1

my niece was about six months when she started using a walker

Answer 2

Nope.  They're illegal where I live.  I don't think they are as bad as they are made out to be though.

However walkers, jolly jumpers, and exersaucers all have the potential to delay walking and worse if abused.

Answer 3

My son is 8 months old and I started putting him in a walker last month. He has a exersaucer that he's been using since about 5 months. So at first he was kind of uncoordinated, but he learned very quickly how to use it. I have the 2 in 1 Kolcraft Tiny Steps. I like it, but I should have gone with something cheaper. I understand why so many people are against them. They can definitely be a hazard if you have stairs around. But as long as you have doors( that be baby proofed) or no stairs at all, then they aren't as dangerous. Yes, once they are in a walker, they have the potential to reach different things that are dangerous. But I don't really see the difference between them being in a walker and reaching for things or them being able to walk and reach for things. The house needs to be baby proofed regardless.  

Answer 4

I don't believe in them - most manufacturer do not even make them anymore.  They give your baby access to potentially injuring themselves - even if you do not have stairs in your house.

Answer 5

I agree with a lot of the other posters. Most companies do not make walkers anymore because of the harm they pose. Even if your house is baby proofed as much as possible (gates, outlet covers, etc.) there is still too much danger in allowing a child to crash around on an object with wheels. Things can fall off of tables and shelves if the child hits them the right way.

If your house is NOT baby proofed, and many aren't because parents tend to think that if a child can't walk they can't get into things, children could fall down stairs or worse.

I get my personal opinion is that we worry enough about our children being safe without making them mobile faster than they need to be.

Good luck with your decision!

Answer 6

every baby is different but my son started using his around 9.5 months old, its helping him to learn his balance and his footing.

this is the one i got him he loves it : http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?...

but if he's only 6.5 months id get him something like this --> http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp...

Answer 7

when my daughter started siting up on her own sturdily we used one, the old school ones that they stopped making. she would have been around 6 months or so i think. i think they are great as long as they are supervised and stairs are blocked off etc. once they get a little older and start grabbing at things while in them, you have to really watch them, since they start pulling themselfs, and could tip it over. once they start that, its time to take it away.

Answer 8

My daughter was 5 months when I put her in one, but couldn't walk in it until she was about 6 1/2 - 7 months.

I am for using a walker as long as you are watching your baby.

I bought it at Walmart, but couldn't find it on there website, so here is just a picture of her using it: http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff272...

Answer 9

i put my son in his first walker when he was about 6 months and he really couldn't reach the floor til i figured out how to adjust the thing but now he like to eat his food and push himself backwards in it and he is 8 months i bought the one from walmart the one that has winne the pooh it has all kinds of toys on it and a toy that even plays music and lights up he loves it so i think you should buy one your son would enjoy it

Answer 10

I didn't have one for my oldest son.  I was recently thinking about getting one for my youngest (9 mos.) but just read another article that they're not good for baby and can actually interfere with them learning to walk.  It basically teaches them to rely on the walker rather than learning to do it themselves by pulling up on things and moving their legs etc.  They can also be dangerous too.   Even if you don't have stairs, they can still pinch fingers against walls, etc.  Once again I decided against the walker.