What is your opinion on walkers?

[Mom2X&F&V]

Hi!!! My dd just love to be on her walker and activity center, but when I put her to play sitted she just pulls back. She prefers her walker and I am afraid that because of that she will be delayed on sitting and will not crawl at all...  What is your personal opinion on walkers other than they are dangerous because of bumps and stairs near? Should I remove it from her as an A time? Am I exagerating?

[Tonya]

I know walkers are frowned upon, and even banned in some countries, so my opinion will go against "the norm", but we LOVED it!!!

Nathan was NEVER happy not being able to move, and this let him move about freely and he was content as can be scooting around the floor! :lol:   He would even slide it from one side the other!

It let me get dinner made and eaten, bottles washed, etc.
We simply couldn't have lived without it!!!!

Having said that, of course, we had no stairs to fall down - our stairway has a closed door with baby latch.  It never put him up high enough to get into trouble, and as far as delaying his abilities??  I know they say that is a possibility, and I am sure it is for some, but Nathan started walking at 9 months!!! :shock: 
He also crawled for the first time the same week.  He was a "scooter" - on his butt, wouldn't crawl.  But the very same week he crawled and walked.
9 months is pretty early for most, so I don't think it delayed anything!

So, my personal opinion is that if you can live without it, do so.  If it would make life easier, and your environment is safe, I don't see a problem with it.

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

Since you asked for personal opinions... :wink:

I think if you're finding your dd isn't sitting or crawling - and that's not to say that she should be at 6mths old anyway (mine isn't crawling either at 9mths despite lots of tummy time), then you really need to give her the maximum amount of opportunities to be down on the ground learning that stuff.  They learn so much more than just "crawling" or just "sitting" such as spacial awareness, balance and eye focus.  Their muscles are also strengthening in such different ways.  I think if you want to use the activity centre then that's fine (I don't have one of those either), but I'd certainly limit it to a short set period of time maybe once or twice a day - so as a planned activity rather than the majority of what she does.  I know it's frustrating for them and tiring learning to sit and crawl, but that's what also gets them moving.  I use a jolly jumper for a small slot of time (about 15-20mins) perhaps 2-3 times a week because I'd rather my dd was learning to crawl even though she really loves being in it.

I'm not debating those that do use or have used walkers, but I think if I was finding my child not attempting to do all those regular type developments then I'd definitely pull back on using things that constrict that learning further. Once again, JMO.   

[First Time Mom]

Walkers are banned here in Canada due to previous accidents. My lo is too young anyways (6 weeks) but I can speak from my experience- my twin and I had walkers as babies and we walked early (and were premies) and practically bypassed crawling. We were big fans of the walkers and jumpers. Back in the late 60's we all used them, unfortunately our parents did not use stair guards so many babies took tumbles (I have 2 cousins that did) but then what did they know- they did not put locks on ANYTHING, did not use car seats or seat belts, drank and drove, and gave us metal toys with small parts! (it's amazing that we're alive today).

[stressybessy]

I have never used one as I have patio doors... My cousin was catapulted through a glass door when hers got stuck under the windowsill. Luckily she escaped with minor cuts. However, this was over 20 years ago so Im sure design and safety has improved dramatically.
They are not banned here but health visitors do warn you against thier use. It says in Hope's health record book...

'Sit in stlye baby walkers cause more accidents in children than any other single item of eqiupment and thier use is not recommended'

Its the same as anything else though, as long as you are supervising they are probably ok. My DD had a similar toy that didnt move but was on a rocking disk with toys all around and she loved it. None of the kids I know who have had walkers have been late walkers either x

[s_olano00]

We bought one for AK when she was about 5 months old and she totally loves it.

It took her a few weeks to master it, but after that she went wherever she wanted to in the living room - that's the only area where we use it. .

Currently she is 7.5 months old and she still doesn't crawl, but she "drags" herself wherever she wants to go. Just last week she learned to change from crawling/tummy/laying down position to a sitting one and I have found her on her knees 3 times already, so I dont feel it's delaying her development at all.