New and expecting parents research multiple things during pregnancy as well as afterwards. Everyone wants to give the best to their baby without any mistakes. We are overwhelmed plus fearful with the first child. We look at many baby gears and wonder what and when to purchase them. The market has several companies that manufacture baby products, and everyone has a varied opinion on what is the best.
Are you looking for answers like what is the right time to buy a walker for a baby? If yes, you have landed at the right place. We have written this well-researched piece of content for all the new and expectant parents out there.
What is the right age for a baby to use a walker?
As you see signs of growth in your baby, you will be eager to see them take the first steps. Walking is such a significant event for both the parents and the baby. It signifies perfect growth and independence. Parents bring in a walker or a stroller to help their baby along the path of the first steps. Walkers are excellent baby gear that will help them learn faster. But using the right gear at the right time is essential.
There is no fixed age we can mark as appropriate for a baby to start using a walker. The decision depends on factors such as the baby’s development, strength, and size. Strollers in the market are generally for babies between the age of 4 to 16 months. You should get a walker for your baby, only when they can hold their head up without support. To use the stroller to its full capacity, the baby’s feet must touch the floor when placed inside the walker and hold the head steadily up. You can consider buying one when your baby is at least six months old, not younger than that. If you believe your infant is still too young for a walker, you can give a try swing or a bouncy seat instead.
Are you still confused about when to let your baby use a walker? No worries! Ask your pediatrician the same. The doctor will examine your baby for strength, size, weight, and overall development. They will check if the baby has gained enough strength to hold her head up and put her feet on the floor or not. It is a part of regular examinations of the baby. She will tell you the best time for your baby to use a stroller. You will also get relaxed by consulting the doctor.
Should your baby be using a walker?
New parents make a long list of many baby gears they have to buy for their baby. The timeline for shopping entirely depends on you. While some people purchase all things before the baby’s birth, and some do it after the birth. It entirely depends on you. But should a walker be on your list? Let us try to find it out. Some doctors suggest not using a walker for babies as it may lead to accidents and injuries. Walkers give extra speed, height, and more access to babies, which they do not know how to control. The wheels of strollers are also unstable on uneven surfaces. In some countries, such as Canada, this baby gear is banned. There is also a threat of the baby falling off the stroller and getting hurt. They may also quickly take the stroller near stairs, fall to the ground, or bump their head somewhere. They get so much accessibility that they may crash furniture, doors, indoor plants, windows, and other home equipment. The babies might touch hot objects such as candles, hot cups of tea, perfumes, mouthwash, medicines, household cleaners, etc. In short, you need to be extra careful after putting your baby into a stroller.
Parents believe they can give extra freedom to their babies by using a walker. But this should never be the case. Your baby’s actions can get out of control, so you should never let your baby out of sight. Never leave your baby alone to navigate their path inside the house in a walker. Do not use too many walkers for your baby, as an excess of them can delay their development slightly. Using it for certain hours in a day is okay but not too much. Studies show that if a baby uses too many walkers, it can lead to unusual movement patterns and delayed muscle control. Babies learn how to walk by watching other movements of feet and legs. Try to get a stroller that does not have a big tray in the front. The two big trays at the front will restrict the baby from seeing their lower part and fail to get the information required about their motor development.
Apart from using a walker, let your baby roll, crawl, play, and sit on the floor. It will help them reach all the milestones of development. Ensure that your baby gets enough time to exercise on the floor to firm up their muscles. Give your baby walking practice at home, in a nearby park, or in other places. Take their hands and guide them to take steps. Walker for babies good or bad. Let us quickly go through them.
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Advantages of using walkers
The benefits of using walkers are as follows.
- It keeps the baby engaged.
Baby walkers have toys installed in them. Such toys help to keep the baby engaged and busy for a while. These toys provide visual stimulation and mental growth. You can do your daily chores when the baby is busy with toys and other attractions.
- Provide mobility
Infants between 8 to 12 months of age are keen to discover nearby places. A walker will provide them with the freedom and mobility they need to move around and explore things without assistance. The baby will learn a lot from this.
- A walker encourages the baby to walk.
A walker will support the baby’s hand and motivate them to walk. That is what walkers do. The baby will understand how a standing pose will aid walking and try to walk and take steps.
Disadvantages of using walkers
The drawback of using walkers is as follows.
- Certain studies show that babies who do not use a walker learn to walk faster than babies with a stroller.
- The best workout that strengthens the baby muscles is the on-floor exercises. It helps the baby to gain the strength to stand or walk. A walker prevents the baby from being on the floor and impairs growth.
- The baby may injure herself by folding parts or hinges of a stroller.
- The baby will gain access to all objects, even the harmful ones. Your baby might get hurt.
- A walker with wheels gives speed to your baby, reducing your reaction time. It can lead to an uncontrolled accident.
The baby learns to balance through crawling, rolling over, and standing. The child does not learn balance with a stroller. They position themselves forward from the hip while using a baby walker. The baby learns to balance, and a walker prevents her from falling over or to any side. Is there anything you can do to overpower the demerits of a baby walker? Of course! There are some precautions that you take care of to ensure the safety of your baby.
- Allow the baby to use a walker only on flat and even surfaces.
- Do not leave the baby alone when she is inside the walker. One of the parents or a responsible adult should always be around the baby.
- Never let the baby walk around staircases, swimming pools, bathrooms, or other such places.
- Remove all sharp objects or things away from the surface on which the baby walks. Also, keep aside heavy and breakable objects.
- Do not let the baby use a walker for too long. The time should not exceed a few hours every day.
- A walker should never replace the floor time of your baby.
Final words
There is no appropriate fixed time for your baby to use a stroller. You must wait for six months before getting one for your baby. It is a baby gear that comes with merits as well as demerits. Is a walker safe for your baby? Yes, if you are always alert. Follow all the precautions mentioned here to drive the advantages over the disadvantages. You must give an unhindered growth environment to your baby.
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