Baby Walker a no?

[Susana]

I read somewhere that baby walkers can delay baby from walking. Of course, it's not that I believe that, I just want all of you who have walking kids to tell me how was it when they used it and when did they started walking? I read that it is banned in Canada.. Canadian girls, is that true? Not trying to get a debate on, just wanted to get your feedback and help on this!

[Jojo]

I didn't know about this. I just heard they were dangerous. Not sure how a walker is dangerous but whatever.(I'm guessing maybe bumping into things--I never looked into it.) I don't plan on buying one. I like exersaucers.

[Mari_Posa]

Sara walked right after she turned a year old so I don't think it helped in getting her to walk earlier, rather it was a great distraction, she loved playing and rolling around in it while I did house work. I will tell you though that you have to be very careful when they are using them. I once let Sara roam around the home and kept checking in on her while the next thing I know she was on the floor upside down stuck in the walker with the walker on top of her, very scary. My living room has a step down from my dining room. They have the stoppers at the bottom of them to prevent trip overs but somehow she managed to get flipped over while in it. So even though they are 'safer' now if you plan on getting one, as with any other type of toy, you must supervise them. They can be dangerous.

[Elaine]

Yes, they are banned in Canada because they're considered unsafe. Jumpers are fine but nothing with wheels is allowed. It doesn't bother me because I don't know that I'd want my 7 or 8 month old to be able to motor around in something with wheels. I had a hard enough time keeping Ben contained with him crawling let alone in a walker. :hehe:

[AshleyMommyto2]

Eli had one and I don't think it affected his walking he starting at 11months..

They can be dangerous if you are not watching them. I think some people look at them as a babysitter and they are not.
Eli used his alot outside and really enjoyed being able to get around.

[Mama Sandy]

My older kids all used one. The boys both walked at right about their 1st birthday. Sassy used a walker until she was about 4 months old and then learned how to climb out of it. She would wedge her foot in the cross bar and push herself out the top...head first! She crawled at only 5 months and walked at 8 months old. I honestly don't think the walker affected them to either walk early (in Sassy's case) or walk on time/late either. That's just my opinion/experience though.

[MomHenry918]

Yes...walkers are banned in several places. They are easy to overturn (especially on carpet), and when moving from one floor covering to another (ie. carpet to tile), they tend to get the wheels stuck and over turn.

Annie's exer-saucer actually helped her to walk...she could get a foothold and turn herself completely around in it, and she also jumped in it (she had a door jumper as well, which also builds great leg strength). She went from crawling to walking in less than a month!

[Ashley]

They make me a little nervous. Honestly, the exersaucer was all I wanted/needed to use. It was something for Tyler to entertain himself in and kept him still, which is what I needed it for. I would plunk hm in it to take a shower or while I was making lunch, etc. A walker would defeat this purpose for me, lol. Plus, imo, I think if they're on the floor more they get to figure out how to do things on their own a bit better. I don't know if it's scientifically true, just what I think. Plus, Tyler was lazy- I don't know how long it would have taken him to walk if he had an easier way!! :hehe:

[Cindy]

We bought one for Conner but he never really used it.

He did have a walking toy and that's what helped him out. He started walking at 10 months.

[Susana]

We bought one for Conner but he never really used it.

He did have a walking toy and that's what helped him out. He started walking at 10 months.

Am planning on getting that!! I saw Conner's pics using it!!

[Jenni]

We had one for both girls, Jorja LOVED hers and Jasia not so much. We also had no stairs a mostly hardwood floors so she was able to buzz about. They both started walking shortly after their first birthdays.

When I was working, Jorja would come with me and motor from office to office in her walker 'visiting'. good times.

[Leah]

We got a walking toy that Talon could push and I really think that helped him learn to walk. ;) I have also read that the walkers are not great for learning to walk because they limit the hip movement and range of motion used for walking. I guess it all depends how you use or abuse it. If you put your kid in there all the time and don't watch them, you can see how that is dangerous and bad for them, but if you use it for occasional, supervised entertainment, then I think it's fine. Personally I also liked the stationary exersaucer. ;) ...oh and Talon started walking at his birthday party.