[KristaBee]

I read that walkers slow development. Also, that the American Pediatrics Association is trying to get them banned due to the danger they pose. As far as being able to roll down stairs.

What are your thoughts?

[WifeMotherGoddess]

We had one for our older children and they weren't hindered by them, if anything they were ahead of the curve.

Why would any parent put a walker on a second floor with access to a staircase? That's not a product failure, that's a parental failure.

[KristaBee]

Yes, I think many baby related accidents can be avoided by better parenting. A good majority of recalls amaze me, because I consider them human error. It's a little disconcerting that all these companies have to account for parents who don't pay attention or read directions.

That being said, I am pretty curious about the slowing of development. My Mom laughed when I referenced an article I had read. She thinks it would be difficult to ascertain such a result. I just can't make up my mind, I suppose.

[MamaAbie]

I know many babies that used walkers that were not slow to develop.

I guess if you left them in it all the time and didn't have them also walking around while holding on to stuff etc I could see it as a problem, but I just don't buy it for using it as an activity just as you would a swing, bouncer, jumparoo or whatnot.

I see the safety concern but also feel a lot of that is common sense. We have a walker that was given to us by a friend. We plan to use it. We don't have any stairs or anything and she will always be watched when in it, just like she would be if she were mobile in any other way (crawling, walking along the furniture, etc...)

[Mayleysmommy]

I don't see anything wrong with them

[AlexasMommy]

I don't see anything wrong with them and agree that most of the time it is parental failure that leads to the accidents.

[sanderson76]

I used them for my girls but I used Amazon.com: Bright Starts Around We Go Activity Station, Doodle Bugs: Baby with Davis and plan to use one with Luke too.

[KristaBee]

Oh that Bright Starts station is really neat. I'll have to look into those.

[ewy]

That Bright Starts activity center looks pretty neat. I've been looking for a second jumperoo to use upstairs but getting something a bit different would probably be more fun for Sebastian. I wonder what the minimum height for it is?

Back on topic: Nothing will keep Sebastian safer than common sense and parental supervision. No I don't see walkers as particularly dangerous if used while supervised in a safe area. I don't believe reasonable use (i.e. The baby is not left in it for hours at a time) will cause delays with no other pre-existing condition. I also don't think not using one will cause delays. Infants are wonderfully creative and will do whatever is necessary to achieve their goals. So I see most devices that provide some sort of "assistance" more as entertainment for them than anything else....

[sanderson76]

Originally Posted by KristaBee

Oh that Bright Starts station is really neat. I'll have to look into those.

It was handy..ii kept it in my kitchen so I could cook. Once Davis got mobile he had no interest in the jumperoo and exersaucer so we switched to this. He could run around it (and he did) and I knew I could turn my back for a second and him not get hurt. Davis walked early at 8 months..you aren't suppose to use them once they can actually walk on their own but we did. I stopped when he had enough force to actually pull the activity center when he would walk.

[March]

Ditto Sharon.

[1st.time.mama333]

Originally Posted by WifeMotherGoddess

We had one for our older children and they weren't hindered by them, if anything they were ahead of the curve.

Why would any parent put a walker on a second floor with access to a staircase? That's not a product failure, that's a parental failure.

Ditto!

[AndrewsWifey]

Totally agree with previous posters. Just watch your kids! Anything can be unease when used unsupervised. Jacoby doesn't have one yet.....maybe we will use one and maybe we won't. I don't think it hinders development when used properly.