Thoughts on walkers? (the baby item not babies that walk)

cali_girl92504

I read in Baby Bargains that they were DANGER DANGER BEWARE but L loved the walker when she visited a buddy recently. So I ordered one. And it's been sitting in the box for several days now. I know it's only as dangerous as I make it - meaning if I leave her unattended upstairs in the walker kinda thing (which I don't and won't). So....thoughts?

MrsMGR

Joe LOOOOOVED his walker!!! Alot of people say walkers prohibit the child from learning how to walk on their own. I think tha is b.s. Joe was in his all the time and had a blast and was up and walking at 12 months (in fact, he ran across the room all on his own on his first day of walking).

As for it being dangerous....everything has a risk of being dangerous and causing harm. Just supervise her, like I know you'd do anyways, and she'll be fine. The giggle and squeals alone are worth the microscopic risk ;-)

KelleyA

I think they're ok.  My two nieces spent WAY too much time in the walker and not enough time crawling/exploring/cruising.  They were both late walkers...15 & 16 months respectively.  I do think that in their cases being in a walker impacted their development. I personally feel that the more a kiddo is able to explore the faster they learn to crawl, cruise, walk, fall down and get back up, etc.  

Katieraye09

Tyler LOVED his walker!!!  He cruised all over the house (we have wood floors) and had a blast doing it!  (He started walking on his own at 9 1/2 months so no worries there.)  T actually had 3 walkers because he loved them so much.  (one at home, one at the farm and one at my mom's house) 

Funny thing is that we still have the walker at the farm set up and every time we're there he climbs in it himself and uses it like a bumper car.  He is waaaaay to big for it but squeals with excitement like he did when he was a baby.  It's hilarious! 

I say get it out....she will love it!! 

melrrr

it's the same idea as not keeping them in a jumper/exersaucer for too long. 

If you don't have it out on a porch with no railings or near the top of stairs, I wouldn't worry about it being dangerous.  

LisaK2b

melrrr:

it's the same idea as not keeping them in a jumper/exersaucer for too long. 

If you don't have it out on a porch with no railings or near the top of stairs, I wouldn't worry about it being dangerous.  

this..and I have all 3.  As for what Mgr said...with Emmy, she walked the day after her bday, so it didn't delay her.  With Ally, she's 9.5 months and is able to stand up for a minute now and we're thinking she may walk in about another month or so.  So I don't think she'll be delayed.  We keep it on the first floor and it's all level (no down steps) so I'm not concerned that it'll tip over or anything. 

kennifer7

we used one and my DD loved it and it was such a lifesaver when she was little.  i could put her in it and make dinner and she was content for atleast 20-30 minutes on her own.  I think that its only dangerous when they are unattented or playing near stairs (which i dont have).