People who are strangers to the family of a newborn are convinced that children grow very quickly - it would seem that the child has just learned to hold his head and roll over, and has already begun to sit. For now, almost consciously, he reaches out with his little hands to the object of interest to him, and tomorrow he tries to crawl. But time runs very fast only for those who are not with the baby all the time. So, we read, walkers: benefits and harms for children.
For mom, everything goes on as usual, sometimes with sleepless nights, with fatigue and everyday worries. While the baby, albeit not for long, but you can leave one in the arena, you can ignore some difficulties. But there comes a time when the child sleeps less and moves more. At this age, he is very worried if he does not see his mother.
You need to be near the baby all the time so that the little tester, who begins to crawl and stand on his own legs, does not harm himself. At this time, mommy has to either carry the baby in her arms, or lead by the handle, or sit next to her at a stationary table for feeding. But the table limits the activity of the child. Therefore, very often parents, trying to combine control over the child with the possibility of developing his motor skills, purchase baby walkers.
Walkers: benefits and harms for children. The history of baby walkers goes back to the distant past. Bosch's "Baby Christ in a Walker" was written in 1480. The child in the picture is holding on to a tricycle fixture on wheels. In those distant times, walkers were made of wood, woven from twigs and straw, and metal.
Since then, the main purpose and design of walkers have not changed dramatically, but modern models of walkers are very different from their predecessors. The latest materials and additional features have made toddler supporters, which allow children to take their first steps without the help of adults, very comfortable, colorful and interesting.
Walkers for children who begin to walk on their own resemble carts that need to be pushed forward. Walkers for babies who have not begun to move in an upright position, in fact, are chairs in a frame on a stand. Children do not walk in them, but sit and ride around the apartment, while pushing off the floor with their feet.
What are walkers
Walkers: benefits and harms for children. Today, retail chains offer parents of healthy children two types of baby walkers for taking the first independent steps: walkers with seats, similar to a chair with a back with holes for legs and a wheeled support, and pusher walkers with a game panel on wheels and a pushing support. . There are also special walkers for babies diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Walkers for children with cerebral palsy
The high chair-like walker has an upper frame that integrates the seat and entertainment panel. Wheels are attached to the lower support frame around the perimeter. The gaming plastic panel can be removable, in which case there will be a table for eating under it. Tweeters, rattles, musical and tactile toys, labyrinths, and other educational devices are mounted on the panel.
Modern jumpers The pusher walker's play panels are also designed to make walking easier and encourage the child's curiosity. Movable and rotary parts, rattles, books with pages for turning over, keys of musical instruments can be built into them. Holding on to the handle of the wheelchair and pushing the walker, kids develop motor activity, coordination, and learn to balance.
Contraindications to the use of walkers
Walkers: benefits and harms for children. The main task of using walkers is to increase the mobility of children. However, this item is not a mandatory attribute of children's life. If parents or grandparents, nannies have the opportunity and health to constantly be near the child and teach him to walk, holding the handle, then walkers are usually not bought. After all, the acquisition of a walker implies that it is necessary to monitor a child placed in a walker even more carefully than usual.
Organization of a safe space
Walkers: benefits and harms for children. Before putting a child in a walker, it is necessary to make fences in front of pools, pits, stairs, passages, radiators, gas stoves with ovens, cabinets and other objects that the child may suffer in a collision with. Fences and furniture in the transfer room must be strong, stable, and not have sharp corners.
Although the width of the upper frames on the baby walker-seats does not allow babies to reach dangerous electrical appliances, there is a possibility that the child will fall out of the walker when it is overturned.
Proper use of walkers
Walkers: benefits and harms for children. In addition to the fact that it is necessary to protect the child from injuries while moving, one has to take into account that a long stay in a walker does not affect the health of children in the best way. A child, sitting in a walker, is constantly in one position, he is limited in his movements, does not have the opportunity to lie down, roll over, control his body. If the height of the supports supporting the upper frame is set incorrectly, then the child will not rely on the entire foot, but on the fingertips. The habit of leaning on the toe can provoke the development of flat feet.
How long can a child sit in a walker
Walkers: benefits and harms for children. If a child is in a walker for more than 15 minutes throughout the day, then there is a risk of slowing down physical development, spinal deformity, and dislocation of the hip joint. In this case, seat walkers are not only unnecessary, they are dangerous. Some researchers of childhood injuries sustained after using walkers are calling for a ban on the sale of these devices. But there are also psychological factors that indicate that it is better not to use walkers: the child gets used to the insurance when moving to the walker, and then is afraid to walk without support.
Komarovsky: to use a walker or not
Pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky does not believe that walkers are a necessary item in a family where there is a child older than 6 months. The doctor emphasizes that this adaptation to learning to walk has nothing to do, because the child has the opportunity to drive around the house, and not learn to walk. The movements that the baby makes when pushing off the floor develop muscles that are not related to walking.
In order for a child to be healthy, he must learn to walk naturally. The doctor warns that in children who are left in walkers for a long time, the desire and ability to walk appears later than in other babies. Komarovsky calls the only argument for using walkers the fact that the mother of the child had free time, who put him in a walker and fixed the wheels from being able to go. But in this case, the mother can use an ordinary children's table for feeding, the doctor says.
Read also our articles:
Walkers: benefits and harms
Walkers: benefits and harms for children. A walker is a device with transverse frames on wheels, in which a child who cannot walk is placed and fixed in a sitting position. The child's feet touch the floor, he makes repulsive movements and moves in a space specially designated for movement. The child is happy, and the mother has time for urgent matters.
But, and if the child is not fixed and is in a half-bent free position, or the space has no barriers - what can happen in those cases? Most parents would never do this, but there are still tragic cases that lead to injury to babies and illness that frolic after using a walker.
Why are walkers useful?
Walkers: benefits and harms for children. All kids really like to explore the world not lying or sitting in bed or playpen, but moving around the rooms of the apartment. Walkers move the child from a horizontal to a vertical position. This allows you to see and touch what is not available from the crib. The child develops intelligence, memory, research skills and some muscle groups.
The child can look around, stand, make repulsive movements. Game panels on walkers contribute to the expansion of the child's horizons, contribute to his social development. All this is possible if the mother, while relaxing or doing business, will simultaneously see the child and talk to him. Walkers, on the other hand, should be designed in such a way that their height would correspond to the height of the child, and the seat and back could support the baby's spine in a comfortable position.
What is the danger of walkers
Baby learns to walk on tiptoes
Many opponents of walkers do not recommend the use of walkers due to the fact that children get used to walking on their toes in them, that is, to the wrong position of the feet. When sitting in an upright position for a long time, children overstrain their muscles, and they do not have the opportunity to change their posture. It is believed that walkers help slow down independent motor skills, the baby gets used to moving with the help of a walker.
The child does not learn to fall, does not develop caution
There is no development of caution in walkers, because safety bumpers and shock absorbers will protect and push the child away from a flat wall or a stable cabinet, while the child will not experience any pain. A child who does not experience some discomfort during natural falls will have difficulty learning to group and defend himself from blows, and in the future this may threaten the child with serious injuries.
The child does not learn to balance
Walkers do not allow to develop the correct coordination of movement, the ability to keep balance. After the child begins to move without the help of a walker, he will often fall due to the fact that there will be no usual support nearby. In addition, parents themselves can harm the child if they allow the child to stay in a walker for a long time. Indeed, many babies begin to act up when they are taken from the walkers.
The physical development of the child is wrong
A long stay in a walker can lead to curvature of the legs and spine. At the same time, the baby crawls a little, squats, pulls up, respectively, the muscles of the back and legs develop unevenly.
Opinion of doctors: walkers are dangerous for a child (video)
Which walker to choose
Parents, when purchasing walkers-seats, should remember that the child, while in them, will encounter obstacles, and maybe get stuck in narrow corridors, so you should not lose vigilance and purchase only those devices that will be safe for the baby. At the same time, it is necessary to take care that the floor in the places where the walkers move is even.
Walkers can be folding and solid. Folding must have rigid latches that can withstand the speed of movement and the weight of the child. You can take such walkers with you on a trip to the country, but you need to be very careful not to injure the child. Children who have barely learned to walk need special control, for whom walkers-simulators in the form of carts are purchased. Toddlers follow the walkers by holding on to their handles.
What should be on a walker
Walkers differ in the number of wheels - walkers with 6-8 removable silent silicone wheels are considered the best. These wheels are easy to clean and wash. Walkers must have motion blocking. The seat in the walker can be on a hard or soft frame. In it, the child should sit in such a way that the upper level of the seat is at the level of the baby's chest. The seat back must be rigid so as not to harm the child's spine.
Walkers can be multi-purpose - transform into a bicycle, a table for feeding, a children's swing. Fabric covers should be easy to remove so that they can be cleaned or washed at any time.
A child can be placed in a walker-seat no earlier than he is 6 months old. At the same time, the time spent by a six-month-old child in a walker should be limited to 10 minutes. After the child is 9 months old, the child is allowed to be in a walker for no more than 15-20 minutes. A one-year-old child can walk in a walker for about 30 minutes throughout the day. During the entire period of movement in a walker, adults should supervise the child.
How to use a walker correctly
Walkers will not cause injuries and painful conditions in a child if he is placed in a device with an adjusted seat height, and he will be constantly monitored by parents. You can put the baby in a walker from the moment he begins to sit confidently, will not collapse and bend when trying to get up. Do not keep your baby in a walker for more than the allotted time. Shoes with good ankle support should be worn on the child's feet.
Article last updated: 04/03/2018
When a child begins to sit confidently and is already starting to crawl, parents think about buying him special baby walkers that will help him learn to stand and walk. However, doctors are wary, to put it mildly, of such a device, believing that it does more harm than good. How dangerous are walkers? Are they worth buying? When should a child be placed in them?
Child psychologist
These and other questions swirl in the minds of caring parents. Specialists will help you understand the pros and cons of the device, introduce you to the most optimal models and tell you how to use the walker correctly.
Cons and pros of the device
Baby walkers are structures that consist of a body, wheels, a seat and a tabletop. Such devices are designed to support the body of the child in the position necessary for upright walking and honing the skill of walking.
When the infant is placed in the device, his feet reach the floor. As a result of this, he, feeling the support under his legs, begins to push off and move around the room.
It is quite difficult to say unequivocally whether it is useful to put a child in a walker or not. Even experts in children's health still have not come to a consensus. Some pediatricians are convinced that stimulating the walking skill with the help of additional devices is only beneficial.
However, other doctors (most of them, by the way) are sure that the child himself must learn to walk, and auxiliary structures only slow down the emergence of this ability. Analysis of publicly available information allows you to highlight the main advantages and disadvantages of the product.
It is believed that if the walker is used correctly and for a limited time, then only benefits can be expected from them in terms of the development of the child.
Namely:
- the use of the design will allow the mother to take a break or do household chores while the baby plays and has fun in complete safety;
- the product is able to fully satisfy the desire of the child to independently explore the world around him. The kid will "wheel" around the room, having fun and perceiving new information;
- walkers allow you to open a "vertical" space for the baby and a lot of new experiences, which positively affects the improvement of his intellectual and emotional characteristics;
- modern devices are equipped with a wide variety of gaming accessories, including mobile rings, balls, sound sensors, rattles. Such toys will help develop fine motor skills and sensory skills;
- the design, whose diameter exceeds the span of infant hands, will not allow the young experimenter to reach dangerous things or touch what could potentially harm him.
Disadvantages of walkers
If the baby has a slowdown in the formation of the walking skill (when compared with the physiological norm), it will be useful for parents to find out what exercises are recommended for this.
Opponents talk about negative consequences of using such devices for walking:
- the natural formation of motor skills slows down, since the child very quickly gets used to moving with the help of such a device;
- when using the device, the child “flies out” of the crawling stage. But in this age period, the muscles of the body should be strengthened, coordination of movements should improve. That is, crawling is a rehearsal of walking;
- excessive enthusiasm for such a device often leads to the fact that an increased load on the body causes deformation of the spinal column and legs;
- since the child does not learn to balance on his own, the vestibular apparatus develops incorrectly. As a result, there are problems with maintaining balance when walking without support;
- reliable fall protection reduces the likelihood that the child will quickly and correctly learn to fall (grouping in flight, protecting important places), which can cause serious injuries later;
- there is evidence that the enthusiasm for walkers provokes incorrect formation of the arches of the foot, in addition, the baby can learn to walk on toes due to improper placement of the foot on the foot;
- in some situations, children accelerate in a walker, regardless of the limiters, and can roll over when they bump into an obstacle (threshold, carpet, door jamb). This is fraught with the overturning of the structure and the child falling out of it.
In the Soviet Union, walkers were discontinued in the 1970s, as pediatricians found that such devices contributed to the formation of foot defects. The Canadian authorities did the same in the late 80s.
If parents still decide to use this device, having weighed all the pros and cons, it remains to understand at what age a child can be put in a walker.
Pediatricians do not give a specific answer to the question of exactly at what age you can start using walkers. Child development is always individual, so the device can only be used if the child:
- can sit confidently without parental support;
- different activity, cheerful mood, curiosity;
- does not suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system and / or rickets;
- has normal vision;
- interested in the proposed design.
If we take into account all the above conditions, then the answer to the question of how many months you can put a child in a walker will be as follows - 6 - 8 months.
The popular TV doctor E. O. Komarovsky is convinced that not a child needs a walker, but his parents. Many mothers with the help of such a device “neutralize” the baby in order to take a break or do housework.
A later date for the start of walking allows the child's body to prepare for vertical loads. The muscular and ligamentous apparatus will get stronger so that walking will no longer pose any danger to the child.
Komarovsky believes that if the baby spends less than an hour a day in a walker, this will not adversely affect his health. Naturally, subject to ensuring children's safety. When can I put my baby in a walker? The doctor is convinced that not before.
gender issue
Walkers for little boys are a separate issue, because due to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of male babies, many parents are afraid of their prolonged stay in this device.
The main argument is the threat of a negative impact of walkers on the development of the genitourinary organs due to friction and compression of the perineum, the frequent appearance of diaper rash and sweating at the point of contact of the seat with the skin.
Discussing the question of how many months it is possible to put a boy in a walker, many pediatric and orthopedic specialists recommend waiting for the standard terms (9 months) and limiting the time spent in this device to 30-40 minutes per day.
At what age is it allowed to put a girl in a walker? It is not in vain that a similar question worries the parents of babies, since it is female babies that are more susceptible to dysplastic pathologies of the hip joints.
Such diseases can be aggravated by walkers if they were not previously diagnosed. That is why, before you wonder when in a walker, you should take care of the physical preparation of little princesses.
Interest in the topic, whether it is possible to put girls in walkers or not, is fully justified. Every baby is a future mother. That is why you should carefully treat the state of her pelvis, spinal column and other elements of the musculoskeletal system.
Rules of use and contraindications
The basic rule of operation is safety. Before placing a child in a walker, carpets that are not attached to the floor should be removed, otherwise they will ride up and create high-altitude differences, which is extremely dangerous for moving children.
If the floor in the room is cool, experts advise purchasing the longest and widest carpet that will cover the entire surface for walking without joints.
All corners and edges must be fixed with small nails or screws (for laminate or parquet boards), a special linoleum plank or thick paste if the floor is concrete. That is, parents should temporarily forget about the beautiful flooring.
You also need to remove all potentially dangerous low-standing objects, sockets should be equipped with plugs. Sharp furniture corners should be covered with special overlays. All these measures will prevent injury to the baby if the walker inadvertently rolls over.
The following rules apply directly walker use:
- the baby needs to be taught gradually, on the first day the device can be used for only a few minutes, then the time is carefully increased to 40-60 minutes a day;
- children's legs should reach the floor with the entire foot and stand straight. It is important to adjust the device for the growth of the child and make sure that he does not stand on his toes;
- to walk in the device, it is worth putting shoes with hard soles on children's feet - this will allow the child to put his foot correctly and not damage the leg if he stumbles upon scattered toys.
We should not forget about contraindications. The use of walkers should be abandoned if the child is still too small and physically not ready for an upright position.
Besides, contraindications include:
- hyper- or hypotonicity of the lower extremities;
- inflammatory processes and damage to the skin at the points of contact with the seat;
- rickets symptoms;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- unwillingness of the baby to sit in a walker.
In no case should a child sitting in a walker be left alone in a room. To imprison and leave is to expose him to unnecessary risk.
Walkers, as mentioned above, are a structure consisting of a child seat, a special frame, which is equipped with rotating wheels. This allows the baby to independently move around the room by stepping.
Depending on the complexity of the design, 3 main types of this device:
- classic walkers- have the simplest design, most often there are no various gadgets and additional elements;
- transformers- a multifunctional design that can be used as a rocking chair, swing or high chair. It has height regulators, a surface with various toys;
- pushers- in terms of their functions, these devices resemble wheelchairs familiar to everyone. The child (already able to walk) pushes the toy forward, using it as a support when walking.
Also, devices are divided into folding and non-folding. Many parents are convinced that clumsy designs are more stable, but this quality depends on the height and width of the product, the size of the wheels.
In addition, the more wheels, the more mobile and maneuverable the walker is, however, it is important to choose devices with motion blockers. This will prevent the overclocking of the structure and allow the little passenger to stop for a deeper study of the object they like.
Rules for choosing walkers
Some disadvantages can be smoothed out if you choose a high-quality product and operate it correctly. When purchasing, you need to pay attention not only to design, but also main characteristics of the device:
- Sturdy wide body. It is better to prefer a design made of durable plastic or metal. Moreover, the frame should be wider than the seat. You should also choose a product with a rubberized bumper that reduces the impact energy in a collision.
- Wheel diameter. The bigger the wheels, the better. Small wheels are undesirable in terms of safety, besides, the child will be uncomfortable to move around. It is also worth making sure that the wheels rotate easily around the axle.
- Safe seat. It is important to make sure that the back of the seat is rigid, supporting the children's spinal table. The chair itself has a deep seat, which eliminates the possibility of the baby getting out of the structure on its own.
- Possibility to adjust the height. This parameter is very important, because height adjustment allows you to customize the walker for a particular child. In this case, children's feet will reach the surface with a full foot.
- Ergonomic design. It is very convenient if the product is folded, because it can be taken with you. In addition, the function of protection against unexpected folding will be useful, this will enhance the safety of the walker.
The maximum weight for which the device is designed must not be exceeded. Height and weight restrictions must be specified in the data sheet. Usually they are 12 - 15 kilograms with an increase of 80 - 82 centimeters.
Popular manufacturers
Every parent who has used walkers can confidently name the world's most famous manufacturers. However, there are also products of little-known companies on sale. What to prefer?
Walking structures are traditionally divided into 2 main groups:
- walkers of popular brands from Italy and China: Italian Peg-Perego, Chicco, Brevi and Chinese Barty. The products of these firms are expensive, but they are of high quality and workmanship;
- walkers from China, Poland and Russia: Selby, Baby Care, Happy Baby, Capella, Firefly. Such products are cheap, but they are still of high quality and safe.
Should I overpay for a well-known brand? This is for the parents to decide. Of course, you want to buy the best product for kids, but walkers will last only a few months, and then they will be put aside due to uselessness.
You should abandon the "nameless" products and goods of little-known companies. Such walkers will either break quickly or even harm the child.
Overview of the 5 best walkers
There are many devices for learning to walk on the market, so it is not surprising to get lost in such an abundance. We have selected the most popular models of walkers that deserve parental attention.
A very lightweight device, characterized by stability and well-thought-out design. It is installed on six double silicone wheels, equipped with two locking legs. The latter, after pressing the buttons, lower and slow down the movement.
Walkers for children are compact, which allows the child to move between rooms. The seat is cotton, soft, comfortable, easy to remove, washing in an automatic machine is provided. It is possible to adjust the height.
Main advantages:
- stability;
- height adjustment function;
- comfortable seat;
- playing surface with musical and light effects;
- removable seat cover;
- nice design;
- the presence of clamps;
- the ability to fold the product;
- relative cheapness.
Main disadvantages:
- there is no way to adjust the sound volume.
Baby Care Prix
A rather expensive model that can be turned from a walker into a table for feeding. The body is quite stable, based on 4 wheels, which can be blocked when the child approaches the flight of stairs. Safety is generally very well thought out - there are brakes and clamps.
The music and game panel is very high quality, multifunctional. It can be removed and installed on the stroller. Under it is a table for feeding.
Main advantages:
- front wheels are swivel;
- structural stability;
- comfortable seat with removable cotton cover;
- 6 stop brakes;
- blocking function when the product approaches the stairs.
Main disadvantages:
- extended wheelbase;
- high price.
Chicco Walky
Very handy device, characterized by quiet running and compact size. The base is mounted on 6 silicone wheels, which provide good stability.
The musical playing surface is equipped with various buttons, lamps, sensors, which will undoubtedly please the little user. If necessary, the panel is removed, and in its place there is a table for feeding. You can also adjust the height of the seat.
Main advantages:
- the ability to adjust the height in 5 positions;
- foldable design;
- removable musical playing surface;
- low-speed design;
- the presence of clamps;
- the ability to adjust in height.
Main disadvantages:
- unpleasant plastic smell;
- pressing hard may lower the seat.
Transforming walkers that can be turned into a rocking chair or a feeding place. Usually, children are very happy to sit in such a device, since it is comfortable, attractive music and game center.
This product has a very good playing surface, in which there are numerous toys, musical instruments, various sensors. When the panel is removed, the walker transforms into a feeding table or a rocking chair.
Main advantages:
- high quality;
- easy-to-remove upholstery that can be washed;
- multifunctional surface;
- the ability to transform into other devices;
- compact design;
- comfortable silicone wheels.
Main disadvantages:
- insufficiently convenient transformation mechanism;
- the child can easily reach different objects.
A fairly good product from a Polish company, which has a stylish appearance and thoughtful design. Parents appreciate this device for durable materials, excellent music and playing surface, many options to diversify children's lives.
You can put a child in a walking device from 6 months, which allows you to slightly extend the “life” of the walkers.
Main advantages:
- optimal cost;
- quality of materials;
- rubber bumper;
- stable wide base;
- ease of construction;
- the ability to adjust in height;
- 8 twin wheels made of silicone;
- Removable washable cover.
Main disadvantages:
- The steering wheel is located high enough, which is inconvenient for the child.
These devices were popular among parents in 2016. All devices are distinguished by high quality, reasonable design and durability.
As a conclusion
A baby in a walker is a very nice sight, but many pediatricians and orthopedists are convinced that such a device is completely unnecessary for healthy babies. There is an opinion that without a walker, the baby will learn to walk much faster.
If parents are convinced of the validity of the use of the device, then certain conditions should be observed that can save children's health and avoid some problems:
- the question of when to put a small child in a walker is decided on an individual basis;
- you can plant a girl or a boy if the baby knows how to sit and crawl well;
- it is important to adjust the height of the seat so that the child can rest on the surface with a full foot;
Are you wondering if your child needs a walker? The question is, of course, a difficult one. Even doctors argue about the appropriateness of their use. American pediatricians do not recommend putting babies in such gurneys, European and some Russian ones too. Find the answer for yourself in our article. We will discuss the nuances of choosing walkers, the pros and cons for the health of the baby in the process of using them, as well as contraindications, we will discuss together.
From this article you will learn
What time can a child be placed in a walker?
There is no exact and definite answer. Doctors recommended a period of 6 to 8 months. At this age, most children are prepared to stand upright with support physically and psychologically. Most, but not all. Solve the issue individually.
To determine exactly what time a child can be put in a walker, take a closer look at your favorite little one. Assess his physical condition. If the child is good at or can do the following, feel free to buy a walker and put a little fidget in them:
- Okay .
- Sits without support, does not fall back, sideways.
- Stands in the crib, near the support.
- Can or tries to get up on his own.
- The child has no pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, rickets.
- The kid is curious, wants to explore the world actively.
- The baby is 6 months old or older.
On a note! Dr. Komarovsky unequivocally believes that the realization of the desire to use walkers should be delayed closer to 8-9 months. The opinion of the TV doctor can be viewed here.
pros
- The muscles of the legs and back are trained. The child gets a good load on the body, making dozens of circles around the room.
- The horizons of the little man are expanding. He sees, touches more than before. This fact is positive and dangerous at the same time. You need to prepare for the verticalization of the baby, clear the room from insidious objects.
- Improved coordination, spatial orientation. The kid is aware of the technique of achieving the goal, turns.
- The mood rises. Children are delighted with the change in the world around them, adulthood and independence. There is no time to cry and no reason.
- Motor skills develop. Walkers are equipped with buttons, rattles, rings. The child sorts through them with hands freed from crawling.
Minuses
The following weighty arguments can be made against walkers for children under one year old:
- The skill of independent walking, getting up at the support is mastered later and more difficult. The kid is used to walking without tension, for this it is enough to slightly rest the toe on the floor, push off and ride on wheels.
- The spine is bent. The disease develops due to a long stay in a walker, early accustoming to a wheelchair, when the baby is not yet physically ready for verticalization. It is important to understand that 1 year is considered the appropriate age for upright walking. And in a walker, the child runs 4-6 months earlier.
- There is no crawl period. If you put the baby in a walker before he learns to run on all fours on the floor, the child is unlikely to crawl.
- The gait is ruined. Walking on tiptoe provokes the development of ankle pathologies, the child moves like a spring.
- Increased risk of injury due to falls. Obstacles in the path of the plastic stretcher lead to falls, bruises and concussions.
- Movement is limited. The baby can move indoors without restrictions, and the body is shackled by the rims that hold the panties. He cannot sit on his ass near the toy, pull himself up and stand up.
- Influence feelings of self-preservation. The baby is firmly held by the stretcher, he loses his sense of fear. Then he is more often frightened by a fall, it takes a long time to gain courage for the first steps.
When are walkers contraindicated?
Neurologists and pediatricians categorically prohibit the use of walkers for children under 6 months old, babies with poorly developed sitting skills and the following pathologies:
- rickets;
- dysplasia;
- diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
- strabismus;
- cerebral palsy. Children with these lesions need special restraints: rear-supported for mild pathologies, forward-reaching to combat tiptoeing, torso-upright trainers.
- heart disease;
- delays in mental, physical development;
- increased, decreased muscle tone;
- there are diaper rash, inflammation on the lower part of the body, buttocks.
Important! No need to insist on rolling around the apartment in a walker if the baby is tired, afraid of toys, sick.
Which option are you leaning towards?
Poll Options are limited because JavaScript is disabled in your browser.
Spending very little time in a walker 68%, 25 votes
Give up walkers completely 19%, 7 votes
I don't see anything wrong with walkers 14%, 5 votes
12.12.2018
How much time can be used
Finally, the long-awaited period has come when the child can be put in a walker. Moms happily take them out of the pantry or buy them in the store. Begin to actively use. The kid runs around the house in them for hours.
Free parents like it, a baby who is not limited by the playpen space, even pets who play catch-up with the baby. Everyone, except for the fragile children's spine. It is tense for a long time, hurts, bends in the wrong direction from the vertical position.
To avoid harmful effects on your back, follow simple recommendations from orthopedists:
- Start learning to walk in the device during the day, when the child is full of energy.
- At the initial stage, the baby can walk like this around the house for 2-3 minutes.
- Increase the time gradually, adding 3-5 minutes every day.
- Put your baby in a walker for 40 minutes a day, when he gets comfortable, learns to make movements, turns and move quickly (this can be eight times 5 minutes or twice 20).
- Do not exceed temporary norms so as not to injure the baby's spinal column.
Features for boys
There is an opinion that boys should not sit on walkers. Fabric panties on a baby gurney rub the perineum, there are problems with the genitourinary system in the future. The fact is neither confirmed nor refuted by doctors. It is better for parents to play it safe, use stilts for the time recommended by the pediatrician (40 minutes a day).
Features for girls
Daughters should be put on walkers later than boys. Girls are prone to developing hip dysplasia. If the pathology was not detected in the newborn, then the situation will worsen during the period of learning to walk.
You can use walkers and jumpers for little princesses if parents are confident in the physical fitness of their daughters, the absolute health of the orthopedic system.
Varieties of walkers
To keep your head from spinning in the store when choosing the best walkers for your beloved child, find out about the types and designs of walking toys in advance.
Classic
Sturdy two-tier construction. The top panel is a round or square table with toys, the bottom one is a base for attaching wheels, connecting to the table top.
transformers
Multifunctional system. Walkers turn into a high chair, a table for feeding, a swing. The tabletop is strewn with many flashing, singing buttons. Children are delighted with this toy.
Advice from experienced moms! Be skeptical about the advice of sellers to buy a 3 in 1 walker. You will use the purchase more often for one purpose. And pay much more than expected.
wheelchair
It can be in the form of a rack, a trolley with a high handle. The child does not sit in it, pushes in front of him. You can teach your baby to this method of movement when the child learns to stand well.
Jumpers
These are panties with elastic bands. Mounted in the doorway, on the ceiling with a hook and long straps. Buy for a child after 8 months, when the legs are strong enough.
Rein
An alternative option for walking with a baby up to 1.5 years. Parents will come in handy when the child begins to walk down the street, takes the first steps by the hand with dad. The reins are attached to the body of the baby, act as insurance so that the little walker cannot hit the ground.
How to choose
The most important criterion for wheelchairs is safety. We are talking about the stability of the structure, the environmental friendliness of the material and other mandatory properties. You need to select high-quality walkers according to the following criteria:
- Sturdy wide base. The lower part should be 10–15 cm wider than the tabletop. This model is more stable.
- Rigid back support. Needed to support the spinal column and relax muscles.
- Sufficient width and diameter of the wheels. The large size of the wheels ensures the safety of the child. Choose rubber, floating options to increase the maneuverability of the model.
- Number of wheels. Optimally, there should be at least 16 (8 pairs).
- The presence of a bumper and a stopper. It's an anti-shock system.
- There is a height adjuster. You need to adjust the height of the walker before each use, the kids grow quickly.
- Seat upholstered in waterproof fabric. If the child played too much and did not ask for a potty, a spare seat cover will also come in handy.
- Fascinating countertop equipment. Bells, musical toys, flashlights, any twists, twirls and knockers. In a sitting position, the child plays with them for a long time. This affects the development of sensory, auditory processes.
- Possibility to fold compactly. A useful feature for small apartments. Folding models take up minimal space.
- No gaps between base and tabletop. A curious toddler will put his finger in the slot, pinch and remember the evil toy for a long time. Refuses to stand in a wheelchair.
- Removable tabletop, collapsible model. Necessary property for washing and disinfection.
- The weight limit. Structural strength and weight ratings are listed on the label on each model.
- Wheelchair weight. Too light models roll over perfectly - this is dangerous for the child. Heavy - load weak children's muscles, clumsy. Choose walkers weighing from 2.5 to 3 kg.
- Material. Wood is an environmentally friendly material. Walkers are made from compressed sawdust. A wooden gurney is inexpensive (3-5 thousand), but it has not won popularity among parents and children. Moms prefer good plastic.
Do not skimp on the purchase of quality wheelchairs for the child. The health of the baby depends on this. If you are worried that you will only use them for a couple of months, and a lot of money will be spent, use ads for the sale of children's goods. Used and new stilts carefully inspect for chips, structural distortions, loosening of fasteners.
On a note! It is not necessary to take a walker with you on a visit if you are going to another city for a few days. On the Web, on popular bulletin boards, there are offers for renting a wide variety of children's products: cribs, strollers, walkers, and a feeding chair.
Popular Models
An important factor in assessing the quality of a children's wheelchair is the manufacturer. From cheap Chinese options from disgustingly smelling plastic, refuse immediately. Pay attention to the following top models, selected according to the positive reviews and comments of moms.
Chicco DJ Baby Walker
Pros: multifunctional game panel, safety lock against accidental folding, anatomical backrest, 3 height positions.
Price: from 3,000 rubles.
Brevi Giocagiro Activity Center
Bright, comfortable premium design. Designed for babies up to a year.
Pros: high-quality material, 14 toys on the tabletop, 3 height positions, wheel lock, turns into a rocking chair.
Price: from 11,000 rubles.
Jetem (Capella) Sky Walker
Buy for children from 7-8 months. Weighing up to 12 kg.
Pros: can be adjusted according to the growth of the baby (3 positions), there is a rubber bumper, a wide base. The table top is removable. Folds like an accordion.
Price: from 3,500 rubles.
happy baby robin
Walkers-transformer. Converts to a swing and a feeding table.
Pros: hanging mat for baby's feet (needed when rocking in a standing position). 3 color options, 5 height positions, 6 silicone wheels. Corresponds to GOSTs of the Russian Federation.
Price: from 3,500 rubles.
"Firefly"
Approved for use by babies in six months.
Pros: the height of the base is adjustable, the tabletop is equipped with lamps and rattles, it is battery operated. Moves forward easily.
Price: from 3000 rubles.
Let's supplement the review with another version of walkers - these are wheelchairs for kids who do not like to sit in a confined space, preferring to push a toy in front of them. While playing with a wheelchair, it is easier for a child to fall, hit, but the wheelchair does not negatively affect the back or legs.
Chicco Ergo
This is a pusher walker. Help a child to learn to walk. They give a feeling of confidence and support. Music plays while walking.
Price: from 3,800 rubles.
Transforms into a car. There are levers, story figures. Children will be happy to learn what the apartment looks like from a standing position, walking with legs, holding the torso by a comfortable handle.
Price: from 3,000 rubles.
Babago
Cheerful, bright wheelchair will appeal to daughters and sons. Includes piano, phone, LED flashlights.
Price: from 2,500 rubles.
Weina "Merry little train"
Designed for babies after 8 months who stand well and want to walk on their own. Equipped with sound effects, there is a signal for the departure of the train. On the front panel there are a lot of rattles for the development of fine motor skills.
Price: from 2,500 rubles.
Precautionary measures
Having put the child in a walker, tired mothers give up their duties of looking after a dependent baby. You can't do this. Observe safety measures when using children's vehicles. Remember a few important rules:
- It is mandatory to be near the child in a walker. You can not put the baby in a toy and go to another room, even for a minute. During this time, he may fall, injure himself on a sharp object taken from the table. If you urgently need to run on business, take the child out of the gurney, take it with you.
- Do not allow even a 10-12 month old child to sit in a walker for several hours.
- Remove the carpet from the floor. The wheels catch on the edges of the cover and turn over. Children will be seriously injured. , legs, forearm dangerous fractures, .
- Remove sharp, fragile, dangerous objects from the access area (primarily knives, blades, glassware, tablecloths and medicines).
- Put on your baby's feet shoes with hard soles. The lack of a fold on the outsole will force the baby to step on the entire leg when walking.
- Find out when to start accustoming to walkers, why you should wait, from the local pediatrician. Children with poor health, lagging behind in physical development, it is better not to rush.
- If the child is afraid, try to gently introduce the baby to the toy again. Stroke the walkers, examine them, put a bunny in them. Tell us how to teach your eared friend to run in a wheelchair. Then gradually move on to practice.
- Adjust the mechanism for the growth of the crumbs before each use. The legs will be normally even, the feet are on the floor.
- Keep your child away from stairs, thresholds, doors. Close dangerous places with playpens, unlock doors carefully.
- Observe the time limits for walking in wheelchairs. All babies can walk in a walker for no more than 40 minutes a day, you need to adjust the load as the little one grows up.
Whether walkers will bring harm or only benefit, clearly depends on adults. A competent choice of toys, attention to the health of the child, the desire not to harm will determine the final result. If you do not get carried away with walking in wheelchairs, start using the toy on time, baby walkers will become another way of entertainment, and not a source of illness.
IMPORTANT! *when copying article materials, be sure to indicate an active link to the first
Since you are reading this article now, it means that there is a debate in your family about walkers. Most likely, all family members have already expressed their opinion, but the decision has not been made yet. And you decided to look for an answer on the Internet, to get an opinion from the outside.
First, let's figure out what a walker is.
A walker is a seat and structure on wheels. Put in a walker, the child quickly learns to push off the floor with his feet and soon begins to rush around the apartment. Walkers give the baby to gain freedom and ease of movement in space.
Walkers are designed in such a way that the main emphasis falls on the pelvis and spine of the child, he only pushes off with his feet. Therefore, put your baby in a walker only when he has learned to get up in the crib or when he sits on his own without support. At the same time, he should be able to sit with a straight spine, with good emphasis on the pelvic bone, not bend when sitting and not fall over. It is these moments, and not the age of the baby, that determine his readiness to transfer to a walker. And do not forget that the baby must lean on the foot. Therefore, it is very important to properly adjust the height of the walker.
There is an opinion that a child in a walker will quickly learn to walk independently. This is actually a moot point, since the muscles that are used when riding in a walker are not the same as those used when walking. Moreover, walkers are often dangerous. Do not leave your baby in a walker unattended.
Give yourself enough time to choose your walker model. Take it very seriously. Make sure that the child is “immersed” in the walker with most of the body, so that his legs rest well with a full foot. A stable walker reduces the chance of a baby falling out.
You think that since the walkers have a “fence” and a back, you can put any child there - it won’t fall out, and that’s good. However, you should remember that the baby cannot complain about the fatigue of the spine, and he chooses a position that is convenient for him - he bends over, hunches over and thereby creates an extra load on the spine. Excess load can lead to scoliosis, displacement of the vertebrae, osteochondrosis and other abnormalities.
At first, strictly monitor the time the baby is in the walker. It is important that the child is in the walker within 15-30 minutes. Remember that the back of the baby gets tired quickly, since the main load falls on the spine. The kid himself will begin to give an alarm signal, leaning on his side. Gradually increase the time your baby is in the walker.
Remember that a lot will become available to your toddler in a walker, so remove piercing, cutting, small, breakable objects from his path and close electrical outlets with special nozzles.
In what situation is it worth buying a walker?
When your baby has already begun to stand firmly on his legs and is about to go. During this period, the amount of daytime sleep is gradually reduced. The kid is already bored of sitting for half a day in the arena. He shows a desire to explore the world around him, moving around the apartment. And it's hard for you to keep an eye on him and entertain him all this time. In such a situation, it is worth buying a walker.
Doctors' opinions about walkers
I present for your consideration the general opinion of doctors and private reviews.
When choosing a walker and putting a baby in them, make sure that the legs rest on the floor not with toes, but with the whole foot, so that it can easily reach the floor. Pay attention to the seat: it should not "press" on the baby.
The main body weight falls on that part of the seat, which is located between the legs. Therefore, how well it is made matters a lot. After all, the idea of walkers is not that the child sits in them, so the seat should only serve as a support for the baby when standing. The seat should be tight, firm.
Remember also that the walker should not be used for a long time. The baby can be in a walker for 15-30 minutes at a time, but not more than 1 hour a day. Mom should periodically look - is the baby tired, has he collapsed there, has he fallen asleep?
Walkers should not be used if the child has rickets, muscle hypertonus / hypotonus, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Svetlana Andreeva, orthopedic doctor: “I believe that walkers do not have the slightest influence on when a child takes the first independent step. According to my observations, walkers do not speed up this process, but make the beginning of walking more traumatic. Children who sit in walkers for a long time get used to the fact that there is support around them and when walking they often begin to lean forward, as if pushing it.
Long-term use of the so-called safety "leash" often leads to the same effect - the child rushes forward and knows perfectly well that he will not fall. Therefore, when a mother wants to teach a child to walk, she must take his hand and walk with him.
If a child spends half an hour or an hour in a walker and his legs rest with a full foot, I don’t see anything wrong. Mom often needs to free her hands in order to rest, and she can put the baby in a walker. Perhaps, I would introduce a restriction for children with signs of rickets and increased / decreased tone. At the very least, these children should be regularly observed by a doctor and treated. Therefore, they need to consult a doctor.”
Yakov Yakovlev, pediatrician: “I will immediately speak about walkers and jumpers. I think that they are necessary only if the child is too active (not to be confused with restless!), And the mother does not have time to deal with him. For example, another whole gang of children, led by a folder, walk around the house.
On the other hand, I am an adherent of active exercises, that is, those that the child performs as much as possible on his own, without help. Why? It's very simple: the more muscles move in a child up to a year old, the more independent movements and the more he tries to learn through his own experience, the better he develops.
Naturally, one cannot be so categorical. You can raise an absolutely healthy child with walkers / jumpers, or without. My wife and I generally just let our children on the floor, and they mastered everything on their own.
Alexander Koval, pediatrician: “In this case, there is no exact date or exact age, because everything depends solely on the child himself, on the strength of his spine. As soon as the child's spine gets stronger, and such a condition is necessary, since during walking in a walker the main load falls on the spine and pelvis of the child, he can immediately be transferred to the walker. But how to understand whether the child’s spine is ready for a walker, every parent can, because the strength of the spine can be judged by whether the child can sit firmly with a straight spine, sit down from a prone position. If your child is already doing all this, then a walker will be just right for him.”
The researchers concluded that children who do not use walkers, on average, begin to crawl at the age of 31 weeks (for those who used them, this figure was 35 weeks). Children learned to stand without assistance at the age of 54 and 57 weeks, respectively, and to walk at the age of 58 and 61 weeks.
And yet, keep in mind that the study did not take into account the progress achieved by children in the intellectual, emotional and social terms: walkers take the child from a horizontal position to an upright position and open up a new world for him.
Manufacturers of walkers improve their products, making them as safe as possible. In addition, walkers bring great joy to children, which means much more than the age at which a child learns to crawl or walk.
This is what moms think about baby walkers
Svetlana:
“My son is 9 months old. He loves to dissect in a walker. Can ride for hours, besides, the legs are strengthened.
I AM FOR! Walkers.»
Ekaterina:
“My two children were in walkers. First, it's fun for kids. Secondly, their legs are strengthened and they are preparing to walk. When they could already try to walk on their own, they rolled over with their walkers. This is of course bad, but then it is immediately clear that the child no longer needs them. Children on them learn to put their legs correctly when walking. True, walkers serve a short time, then they become dangerous. Children start to run very fast.
Olga:
“Mine has been chasing in a walker since 6.5 months, when I put him down for the first time, he was so happy that now he can reach where he needs to and move after his mother))), and it became more convenient for me: I I cook in the kitchen, for example, and he is with me, and not in a bed in a room without supervision. So I personally don’t see anything wrong with them….”
Elena:
“Many mothers use different devices that, to some extent, “untie” their hands. We looked at the child of our acquaintances - he rushes around the apartment, plays by himself and cannot break anything. Just because he can't reach it. Why don't we try it too? We must have bought a walker early - Artyom was only 5 months old. He ran up to 7.5 months. Just wakes up and immediately requires a walker.
He had enough freedom of movement, and he was not going to crawl. So we decided to give up our own peace of mind, put the walker away and started laying it out on the floor. How he cried! I thought that I could not stand it and give up. But after a few days, he crawled to get one of his toys. This made us very happy.
We used walkers later. He began to take his first steps, and I had to constantly be near him. Somehow, guests were supposed to come to us, and I remembered about the walkers. Then he himself refused them, although he played with a musical panel for a long time. ”
Maria:
"Everything is good in moderation. My daughter ran in a walker for half an hour a day, the rest of the time she crawled with the same pleasure. The main thing is to make sure that she doesn’t get stuck anywhere and doesn’t steal anything. And she went at 11 months herself.
In the end, you can do without walkers, but they make life easier, especially if mom is at home alone and does housework.
If your child is in a walker 1-2 hours a day, when you are especially busy, this is not scary, but even convenient! And the fact that the child will go because of the walkers later is a myth and a chimera. Your child will walk at the age determined by his nature, the only thing, as it happened with our daughter, it will be more difficult for him to adapt to walking without a support.”
Oksana:
“My children didn’t have walkers. I believe that in our small apartment they had nowhere to walk in them. In addition, they did not rely on anyone's support. I think that even without a walker you can sit, get up, lie down, crawl, rest, fall, get something from the floor, drop it, and do a lot of other interesting things.
If you secure the apartment and let the baby out, he will find many interesting activities for himself that do not require the constant attention of his mother.
To summarize:
When using walkers not constantly, but only occasionally, if necessary, you can get significant benefits from them:
walkers free mother's hands for household chores;
walkers allow the child to see new objects that were previously inaccessible to his eyes;
walkers allow the child to stand, turn, look around, i.e. to carry out those movements that he could not do before, this helps to strengthen the muscles.
The main thing to remember: "Everything is good in moderation." Walkers will be useful to the baby only if they are used correctly by the parents. Follow the recommendations, do not abuse the device to unload yourself.
Health to your baby and fascinating knowledge of the world!
Every young family considers it their duty to give the baby a walker. This amusing bright device on wheels is considered to be a product exclusively for children, useful and even necessary for the harmonious development of the child. Walkers are chosen for grandchildren by grandparents, godparents, family friends as a gift for a baby. Buying walkers is considered a good investment. And everything would be fine, but pediatric doctors have recently doubted the real benefits of walkers for children's health.
Definition - theory and reality
Medical encyclopedias and explanatory dictionaries give only one interpretation of the concept of "walkers" - they are useful supporting devices for people with disabilities and the elderly. The task of such devices lies in ensuring the stability of the body in space for those who, for some reason, cannot maintain it.
The invention was patented in the middle of the last century and was originally intended only for these two categories of people. There was no need for walkers for children, since the inability to walk vertically for this category of inhabitants of the planet is only a temporary condition.
In 1953 in England, manufacturers of baby products found a way to increase the profits from the sale of their products and released the very first baby walkers. But they didn't look like they do today. They looked more like a rectangular device - a table, the same as the device for the disabled, only smaller.
Modern walkers with tables and wheels, with mounts to support the priests, were invented in the USA only 20 years after the British showed the world their device.
For a long time in the USSR, doctors even rejected the very idea of using walkers for children, considering them not only harmful, but also extremely dangerous for children's development. And only when the "Iron Curtain" was lifted, along with chicken legs, coffee and condoms, numerous children's goods poured into Russia from abroad, including baby walkers.
The outlandish device on wheels was immediately appreciated for its brightness, attractive appearance, for a convenient table with developing buttons, figurines, sorters, and musical accompaniment. It was very profitable for sellers of children's goods to support the myth created by the creators of baby walkers about their incredible benefits for the development of babies.
Only recently have pediatricians begun to speak out against this device again., doctors return to the previous justifications, according to which not only the import of walkers, but also their own production within the country was banned in the USSR.
Walkers for a person who once could walk, run, move arbitrarily and vertically, and then lost this opportunity due to an injury or illness - this is normal. Physicians agree with this. But children's devices, especially for babies who still can't walk at all, according to many pediatricians, are unnecessary and even dangerous.
Pros and cons - an expert look
According to Komarovsky, it is quite difficult to answer the question whether a child needs a walker. On the one hand, the benefits of them are quite obvious, however, it exists only for mom and dad. A bright and entertaining device on wheels allows adults to do their own business for some time - housework, work, reading or watching your favorite movie, etc. Walkers are useful because you can put a child in them and not worry about what to do with him - a baby is in a walker will definitely find something to do.
It is believed that children's devices are quite stable, and therefore the child may well travel around the apartment, discover new spaces, get new impressions, and the mother will go about her business at this time.
But do not blindly believe the manufacturers, says Komarovsky, because cases of falling from walkers are real, not fictional, and they happen with enviable regularity.
Safety is not the most fundamental issue, since it is quite simple to increase it - you just need to make sure that the child does not drive up to the steps and somersault from them, that there are no cubes and details of the designer on the floor, so that they do not get stuck in the wheels and turn the walker over, and also that the child is securely fastened. In most cases, this helps to minimize the risk of injury.
The big plus of walkers is that kids love them. They are more fun than in a playpen or a crib, they are bright and attractive, you can touch them, knock on them during the journey, and if the model is equipped with a music block and luminous bulbs, this is generally a complete delight!
At the points of sale of children's goods, parents can hear a lot of arguments from sellers about the undoubted benefits of walkers, about their most important developmental mission, about numerous studies that have proven this benefit.
Komarovsky urges parents to be more attentive and not to take a word. The fact is that none of the studies has yet been able to prove the benefits of walkers, but the harm from them has been proven by many generations of pediatricians around the world.
Nevertheless, the doctor emphasizes that it is up to the parents themselves to weigh the pros and cons, to decide whether a walker is harmful or beneficial. There are no general recommendations for this. Besides, a reasonable application will not do much harm. 40-50 minutes spent in the device are unlikely to be harmful, which cannot be said about many hours in the device for verticalization.
What are dangerous?
If parents remember the school biology course, they will be able to clearly imagine how long it took a person to become what he is now. The baby is given nine months of his mother's pregnancy for his personal evolution, during which he turns from two germ cells into a complex organism, as well as more than a year after birth, in order to go through the main stages of development.
The baby lies down, then he learns to turn, learns to crawl and sit, and only then begins to walk. About children who try to stand immediately after birth, science does not know anything.
It is important for a baby to go through the stages, because his bones, muscles, tendons, joints and nervous system develop in stages. One is directly dependent on the other. If the muscles are still weak, the child will not start walking, but will crawl or, in extreme cases, sit. Therefore, the danger lies in the fact that parents artificially interfere in the affairs of nature, trying to speed up processes that do not need to be interfered with.
It is not so difficult to imagine how dangerous this intervention is. The spine, unprepared for vertical loading, may bend, intervertebral deformities may occur, and prerequisites for the development of ailments of the musculoskeletal system may arise. Not all consequences can be relatively harmless, manifested only in a violation of gait and posture, sometimes they are truly destructive, the child becomes disabled.
Yevgeny Komarovsky recommends using walkers for boys and girls, if their parents really want it, not earlier than from 9 months, provided that the child is healthy. The time of using the device should be strictly limited - it is advisable to put the child in a walker only for 40 minutes a day.
A child who is in a walker or jumper for longer, due to age, will not be able to report that his back or legs are tired, so time control is the responsibility of parents. Putting a baby in a device is by no means as safe as children's goods sellers make it out to be.
Parents who still decide to use purchased or donated walkers, Komarovsky advises the following:
- make sure that the device is safe - the frame is strong, the wheels are well fixed, there are seat belts;
- it is best if the back of the walker is soft;
- the design should include the possibility of height adjustment so that the child does not hunch or walk on toes;
- do not leave the child unattended during his journey in a walker around the apartment - anything can happen;
- do not use walkers for overweight children and for babies with disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
- do not be too lazy to ask what the pediatrician observing him thinks about using the device for a particular child;
- encourage the child to move around the apartment on all fours - crawling is much more beneficial for the spine.