Baby walkers: is this baby walker useful?

What is a walker?

A baby walker is a small four-wheeled stroller into which the child is placed in a kind of hanging seat. It can touch the ground with its feet and make its first attempts at walking. However, the shape of the baby walker can vary. Circular and square models are available. Usually, a baby walker also has a small table or shelf.

Are baby walkers useful for your child?

Babies want to discover the world and usually start to sit up at tables and chairs and feel along furniture at about ten months. With this ability to move on their own feet, they set a milestone in their early childhood development . Of course, parents want to support their offspring. The question is how this learning process can be adequately promoted. Are baby walkers suitable for this? What are the dangers of using these devices and what should you watch out for when you buy a baby walker for your child?

What are the advantages of a walker?

• When your child practices standing, the baby walker gives them a certain level of security – they can take their first steps without falling over.
• Most baby walkers also offer a small storage area. Your offspring can transport their favorite stuffed animal or toy on this.
• Some models also have gaming functions such as small buttons for music.
• A baby walker offers your child greater freedom of movement – more than just walking along furniture.

What are the disadvantages of a walker?

• A disadvantage is definitely that a walker can be up to 10 km/h fast due to the rollers. Your offspring could easily crash into tables or fall down stairs and sustain serious head injuries. The professional association of paediatricians actually warns against the use of walking aids and walking aids.
• The motor development of your child is inhibited by a baby walker. For example, in the event of a fall without the device, it uses its natural reflexes. This is not the case if the baby walker tips over.
• In severe cases, the use of baby walkers can lead to back problems, leg and foot misalignments or muscle shortening.

What alternative to the walker?

There is also an alternative to the baby walker, for example the baby walker or pushchair. The latter is a kind of toy stroller that your child can use to transport toys while holding on to a grab bar. This alternative does not harm the development of the small body and the risk of accidents does not increase through use. Of course, children can also learn to walk with mum and dad – so the little ones can train their natural reflexes very well and you can always keep a close eye on your child.

What you should consider when using a walker

You should decide for yourself whether a baby walker is right for your child. If you want to buy it for your offspring, you should note the following:

• Do not put your child in the baby walker for more than a quarter of an hour a day.
• Make sure that it doesn’t just roll across the floor, but actually learns to walk with it.
• Don’t let your child out of your sight while trying to walk.
• Especially with a walker, attention should be paid to height adjustability. So it can be adapted exactly to the needs of your child.
• Proper footwear is also necessary for learning to walk, as this is the only way to give children’s delicate feet support and stability.