Push walker ?

Buona Fortuna

This may be a totally stupid question but do y'all think that a push walker actually inhibits a baby from walking on their own?

I had a patient tell me the other day that DS would "never" walk on his own if I keep letting him use the walker to get around.

And I know it's not like he'll be going to college pushing his little piano walker, but does it slow progress?  He loves it and can basically run with it.  He will pick it up if he goes into a corner, but he just won't let go and walk on his own.   I figure it just takes time- buuuuuut just want to make sure!

thepretzelchick

Absolutely not. My brother and I had one and walked at 9 months and 10 months, respectively. My nephew had one and walked just before 1 year. My mom had a few, as well as a kid's plastic shopping cart, when she did daycare and none of them inhibited the babies from walking on their own just before or just after 1 year.

Buona Fortuna

Awesome.  I will be taking his walker to the babysitter's tomorrow so he can happily cruise around.

I appreciate the knowledge!

WhitEm14

I sure hope not! I just got one for DS the other day. He has one at his grandma's that he loves to use, so here's hoping!

 

Maizey06

DD pushes her walker and everything around, chairs, stroller, boxes, suitcases. I think it is their way to get comfortable on their feet. DD took her first steps yesterday so the walker has not held her back.

punkrockabye

I feel like we're only days away from walking. She cruises eeeeeverything and will almost run with her push walker thing, and she will stand on her own for up to 10 seconds at a time, then slowly squat down. Once she learned how to stand, I feel like the walker toy helped her develop the skills faster.

amaite

Ds's early interventionist says they can delay it a bit because they are leaning forward and not using the same muscles they would be otherwise. Without pushing something they tend to adopt more of a belly out posture which makes them use and develop different muscles.

DemoDoll

DD has been using hers since she was 7 months old. She is taking 10 to 12 steps on her own now so I would say it doesn't inhibit them from walking.

rp-chicago-mom

I don't think so. Howell took ten steps on the 4th and he loves pushing everything around like Maizey's LO. His latest is the stroller.

britvahok

My son has the FP push walker and he started walking at 10 months.  He still loves to walk around and hear the songs it plays.

Andreabks

LO has one but she still won't actually use it to walk.  she'll play with the toys on the front side but she isn't walking with out holding at least one of our hands still.

when he has the confidence to do it on his own, he will.

xxbabycakesxx

DS1 had a crapload of push walkers (and a normal walker along with a jumper and exersaucer) and he took his first steps around 11.5 months and was walking great a month or so later. 

MommyMelRN

amaite:

Ds's early interventionist says they can delay it a bit because they are leaning forward and not using the same muscles they would be otherwise. Without pushing something they tend to adopt more of a belly out posture which makes them use and develop different muscles.

This makes sense, but my kid pushes everything around anyway, kitchen chairs, DH's office chair, storage baskets, cardboard boxes, lol!

rMe6411

We got one about a month ago. DD started pushing it, then if we put her a little behind it she would take steps to it, now she is walking all on her own and full time now. She still pushes her toy but walks also. It didn't delay her any. She starting taking steps at 10.5 months. But I could see how leaning forward to push the walker could potentially delay.