question about walkers (pediatricain confused me.)

aintnoyuppiemom · March 2014

So I visited the pediatrician again since at my LO's 10 month appt. her fill in was there and I didn't like what she had to say. My pedi eased my mind about that however she was concerned about the fact that I own a (cars) walker. Has anyone else had this conversation with their Pedis? She said that since they cannot see their feet it causes brain development problems (special relation problems), they know their feet are propelling them but they cant see it. I told her DS is only in his long enough for me to cook (or start cooking) or to do dishes. She said he needs to roam free of entrapment as much as possible (obviously). I let my LO crawl all over but only while supervised so when I am in the kitchen I try to keep him with me.

H was with me and the Dr. said we should take the wheels off so he can just sit there. WOW and now H wants to take off the wheels. I don't see the point he is learning all kinds of things zooming around my kitchen. Did anyone else have this conversation?

I guess Its like the TV debate as long as things are in moderation I feel they are fine.

ALP514 · March 2014

At A's 6 month appointment our pedi told us no walkers because they are known to cause the most accidents with LO's. For instance the examples she gave me were ; they are able to roam around and pull things down on them , get into things they wouldn't be if they didn't have the access of a walker, fall down the stairs etc. She said we'd be surprised about the amount of injuries they see due to access of a walker.

We still used it for about 3 days. We didn't stop because of what the pedi said because I felt like I was cautious enough to avoid those things happening, however we have the ferrari walker ( I have an obsession) and DH had put the batteries in and DD hit one of the buttons and it made a loud ferrari engine noise and it freaked her out. She refused to go in it and I didn't force her.

I used a walker and I turned out okay, I think.

aintnoyuppiemom · March 2014

Haha I used one to I think I turned out alright also. I did however almost go down the basement stairs while my grandmother was watching me when I was little. I do not have any stairs my son can get to in my house currently, so that wasn't a concern of mine.

ALP514 Did you take the batteries out and try to put her back in recently? maybe she has forgotten?

ALP514 · March 2014

@aintnoyuppiemom yes we tried that ! She'll sit in it but not move. She's very mobile now on her own. Takes a few steps here and there independently and she's a big cruiser but if she wasnt I'd put her in her walker.

blush64 · March 2014

Walkers are illegal in Canada where I am. I don't think they are necessary. I do like the sort of walker a child stands behind and pushes.

While they may or may not hurt development I know they don't help the child learn to walk.

I would just take off the wheels.

bumpuser8130818 · March 2014

I've never had this type of conversation with my pedi, but I've never brought it up and she's never asked. I want going to get one at all and then my mom bought one. At first I was upset because I made it clear to her that I didn't want one. Now that we have it I don't think I'd be able to get the dishes or any cooking done ever! I can see what she means about it being confusing to his spatial awareness, though. He does walk around just fine holding on to things, so I'm not really worried about it delaying his ability to walk. Where he is able to roam everything is safety locked and the furniture is strapped to the walls, so I'm not too worried there either.

aintnoyuppiemom · March 2014

blush64 (I live right on the border in NY so I know a few Canadians and a couple went to my baby shower but that is irrelevant) Is there a reason behind the law? is it because of safety or special development?

Trish625 I hadn't asked for one either, or not asked for one but my mom got me one when LO could hold his head up on his own. It is handy and stays only in the kitchen. He can't push his through into the hallway because the carpets are to thick. That's why I do not worry about other injuries. If I had some sort of big play pen I would probably be a little less watchful and could leave him in that long enough to do dishes, but He has a couple of toys he pulls up on and crawls around on. So he just makes me less nervous where I can see him in his walker.

Shoegal36 · March 2014

I'm in Canada as well and they have been illegal for several years. There are really big fines for owning them and especially trying to sell them.

At first I thought the ban was really silly. It's really not the walker's fault if a child goes down the stairs in it. A child can fall down the stairs just as easily while not in a walker...Accidents happen. After I saw the statistics of how many babies are injured in them, I guess the ban makes sense.

I used one as a baby and I'm fine though. I often think about how awesome it would be to have one while I'm trying to make supper or wash dishes. If I lived in the US I think I would definitely own one, and just use it in moderation like you said...and be careful about stairs, cupboards, etc.

blush64 · March 2014

@aintnoyuppiemom‌ as far as I know it is due to safety. They haven't been legal for a while.

Edit As far back as when my oldest was a baby they were strongly discouraged and he is 18. Many organizations are against their use.

Edit Just want to add that just because we were in a walker and we are fine that doesn't mean anything. We could say this about many things.

mommatotwo2 · March 2014

With my first, we had a stationary walker. It was basically a round table in the center and then the walker itself was hooked on my an extended arm and LO could walk around the table in a circular motion. Here is a link: https://www.diapers.com/p/bright-starts-around-we-go-38071?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_term=KDZ-047&utm_campaign=GooglePLA&CAWELAID=1338678502&utm_content=pla&ca_sku=KDZ-047&ca_gpa=pla&ca_kw={keyword}.

It allowed her to have that "walking" experience without the risk of going down the stairs, etc. She loved and and could really run fast in it. As an added extra, when the baby became too big for the walker part, it unhooks and just becomes an activity table.

However, my first LO didn't crawl until 12 months, didn't pull up and cruise until 13-14 months and didn't walk until 15-16 months. I think the walker may have contributed to her delays. However, she went on to be a very athletic little girl, so I don't see that it had any residual effects.

NDarya · March 2014

My LO used a walker for several months and there was never a problem! DS loved it. It gave him the freedom he wanted and free hands to momma. He started to walk at 9,5 months on his own with no issues. I always thought it was pretty safe if you keep an eye on LO. My pedi never mentioned anything about walkers. My generation used walkers as babies and we are all fine..for the most part lol

aintnoyuppiemom · March 2014

I wonder why now my pedi is the only one with these beliefs/problems. Unless since we live so close to the border maybe she is originally from Canada and believes those laws should be implemented here, I guess that would make sense. Thanks ladies it has given me a lot to think about. My LO is cruising a bit and trying to stand unassisted I think he will be trying walk any day now so I do not think his walker has limited him in any way at least.

snowgirl427 · March 2014

It's probably all about balance. We use one, but LO gets a ton of time walking outside of it, as well as crawling.

blush64 · March 2014

It is not only your pedi who feels that way. It is also not just Canada who feels they aren't safe. The AAP warns against them as well as other doctors and safety experts. (I suppose not all doctors)

If someone is sitting beside the baby watching them in the walker it would be harder to have an accident but if you are right there why would you need them in a walker. Most people are paying less attention to the child while in a walker. (I do not mean neglecting them at all) (Edit by you I don't actually mean you)

I agree with the safety advice that it is best to childproof your home and let the baby roam.

I guess it is hard to say if it will slow down a baby learning to move around and walk. Even if the baby walks early they may have walked sooner, or not.

mommatotwo2 · March 2014

I think it definitely could have an effect on proper and "on time" walking. With a walker, they need to lean forward and propel themselves with their legs while in a sitting position, which is not at all how they will actually walk. It's a way (though not a super safe one) for them to get some exercise and a chance to roam around, but I would say like any baby containing item (jumperoo, excersaucer, walker), there best used for short periods of time and in the case with a non-stationary item, with supervision.

TradeMama · March 2014

My ped said walkers are dangerous and only to use stationary ones. I had a friend in college whose baby went down a flight of stairs. I personally think they are dangerous, but I have lots of stairs in my house.

coffeeandbooks · March 2014

I heard they were unsafe so I didn't get one... I think they are probably ok in an open space without stairs, but I really think the kitchen would be the last place she should zoom around- I agree with your pedi take the wheels off or just let her crawl.

smg2302 · March 2014

Our pedi hates walkers too but for developmental reasons. Didn't know that until after she had been using one for a while. We got rid of ours.

TundraGirl · March 2014

We have been told no walkers by W's pedi, a specialist, and the physical therapist. They want him to see his feet on the floor.

TheyCalledHerKate · March 2014

A trusted doctor I know told me walkers can actually delay walking because it can become a crutch and also that accidents happen a lot. We don't have one. Right now she just cruises on furniture. No rush, she will walk when she wants to

beatlechicksteph · March 2014

we were told by our pedi that walkers are dangerous, and I've read many articles from the AAP saying to not get them for your baby, so we didn't get one. We have a jumperoo/exersaucer thing but since A became mobile he hates being in it. I just let him hang out on the floor while I cook, and he loves "helping" me do the dishes. I've never had a problem just letting him roam free.

aintnoyuppiemom · March 2014

I have definitely limited my LO's use of his walker. But since a lot of your Pedi's were worried about accidents and I do not have any stairs I have not gotten rid of it. My Pedi also said the excer-sacers, jumperoos, and anything else that strapped a child in or limited their field of vision would negatively affect their development. But I think like a lot of us said as long as the majority of LO's day is spent free to roam and explore and only a very limited amount of time the LO is strapped in they should be fine. I think some of you said that you had walkers when you were young and I am sure we are all fine.

TexWisJen · March 2014

Our pedi didn't say anything one way or the other. I think they are fine (you know, because I am an expert) "IF" you do not have any stairs and you only use them in moderation...like 15 to 20 minutes at a time.

We do not have any stairs in our house, but I never purchased one. She has a stationary bouncer activity contraption and a sit/ride bike that she scoots around on.

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