So I've been really wanting to get a "walker" / exer-saucer for our now 8-month old baby. Something like this:
We put him in one in a store and he really loved scooting himself around. He also really loves "standing up" (with our help of course), so I can see how he'd love one of these.
However, our baby's doctor advised us to NOT get one because she thinks they actually keep a child from learning to walk on their own. However, this same doctor has given us conflicting advice in the past. (e.g. once told us to get a Bumbo seat and then later told us not to get one).
So my question is: Has anyone ever used one of these "walkers" for their children; and if so, did the child learn to walk at a normal age? Or do you think I should follow the advice of my doctor and not get one?
I remember reading about them when my daughter was about the same age, and just about everything I read said that there was really no point to them (as with much stuff around for babies). It was also recommended that they not be used anywhere near uneven surfaces, as a baby is obviously unable to judge distances or keep an eye out for obstacles.
To be honest, I wouldn't have considered one anyway, as my daughter was happy to cling to furniture or drag herself around or crawl or...do any of the lots of things babies do when they can't yet walk.
But I guess if you're careful and just use it as a plaything more than anything else than it should be okay.
My experience in the US regarding walkers as I recall (admittedly more than ten years ago) was that doctors advised against using them due to safety concerns, because some babies had been hurt when the walker went over a set of stairs or an uneven surface.
The exersaucer I had for my children was stationary (as opposed to a walker, which had wheels) and they found it very entertaining. It allowed them the ability to practice standing, but did not give them mobility.
I had one for mine for all 3 didn't use that much for any of them..
I don't think it makes a difference the walking is mainly about confidence of letting go as they cruise furniture for a while before walking.. mine were differen, 13 mths, 9.5 mths and my youngest is 14 mths and just started to walk.. I must say I had a jumperoo for 2 and 3 and much prefered this they both loved it and used it right up until they were too big! With the dangers I think it is all in moderation and common sense... if you left them near steps they won't know to stop so you need to watch them
we also had the stationary kind. They were very valuable once the baby could hold upright on their own, I think 4months on. Great for when you wanted them entertained, like cooking dinner or something. Some doctors will be against them as they feel it hurts development. I think if the baby is in it for long periods of time many times during the day, I could see this being the case. But a half hour here and there (if you can get that long!) can be a life saver!
The walker kind seem to be more in fashion here than in the US...
I seem to remember there was a lot of concern over them in the UK a few years ago as 'experts' said it could damage children's hips. Just a quick search came up with this article although there were lots of others.
I think as with most of these things if they are using them for a short time each day (20 minutes rather than 3 hours!) then it's probably fine.
i don't love the walkers. i have seen students of mine who ending up walking predominantly on their tip toes for way too long and it's a hard habit to break. as a mommy, i found a large corral or playpen far more practical to keep little ones safe and let them learn to keep themselves occupied and begin to stand, step on their own...
Curiously, does anyone know if Jumperoos are available here -- and if so, where I might find one? I've been to quite a few baby stores in the Zurich area but don't recall ever seeing one of those.
I had a discussion with a friend of mine about te jumparoo just the other day, she was told by a baby store here in Lausanne that they are illegal in Switzerland. She ordered one from amazon.uk.
I was told (early childhood training) that the main risks of 'walkers are':
- falls, serious injury from tipping over or going down stairs
- giving speed/mobility/reaching possibility to a child that is far too young to understand the danger (eg. grabbing something hot or pulling a cord from an electrical appliance).
- they don't enhance walking (they more likely delay walking, cause wrong posture, and build up the wrong muscles)
- it's like having a rubber tyre around your waist and trying to get around the room - you don't actually get contact with your surroundings, everything happens at 'arms length'.
For jumpers, there have been just a few children reported (particularly in the USA) with hairline fractures in the large bones of the legs, or with 'shaken baby syndrome' caused by the brain rocking within the skull, causing brain damage. Personally, I was always just worried about the hanger falling off the ceiling and hitting my kid on the head...
There is definitely a 'frustration' age which actually drives the child to start to crawl and walk. The evidence from developmental scientists is that these 'apparatus' don't enhance development, and could just slow the process down (prolonging the 'frustration' period)...
Bumbo are a little different. With a Bumbo you are supporting the child in a sitting position - actually reducing their movement - but Bumbo's are recommended for kids with developmental delays if they are struggling with their lower body control, but ready to reach and grasp and 'explore' the world from a sitting position. I personally would not recommend a Bumbo either, except if a child with a developmental problem had it recommended by a specialist physiotherapist or occupational therapist - kind of like putting a kid in a wheelchair who doesn't need one...
Thanks for all of this information guys. As a soon-to-be parent, we are struggling with whether to get a jumper. This is all really good food for thought...
Since this thread was revived, I thought I'd give a little update:
We ended up getting a Chicco walker when our son was around 9 months old, and he absolutely loved it. We had no problems whatsoever with it (though our neighbors below us may have not liked the noise too much ).
He began walking entirely on his own at 13 1/2 months, so I really don't think it hindered his ability to learn to walk. We were really happy with it, and so was he.