Right from the introduction, the walkers have undergone tremendous change to accommodate it with changing technology and needs. Made with robust and fine plastic frames, these walkers are perfect for making the baby learn the first steps of walking safely.
In fact most of the babies find it tempting and fun using walker and learn the steps of walking. The main purpose of inventing this device is to teach a child to walk fast.
Myth 1. Baby walkers are to train the baby to “put the feet to the ground”. Walking is huge change for the baby and there are some babies who possess physical capacity to walk long before they do because it is so and it is risky to make them stand without any support, here walkers come to rescue as it provides required support to the baby as baby can sit, support his body and his legs imitate walking so he familiarizes with the skill easily.
Fact 1. Many pediatricians do not comment on this subject as they think this is not true walking and walking is adaptive process which is completed with growing age of the child and warn the parents for using walkers.
Myth 2: Many studies have shown that walkers help babies to learn to walk as it provides the required support for walking.
Fact 2.: Even though it has helped many babies to walk, but it has also led many injuries to infants as one cannot expect babies to have control over the walker and its balance and once the balance is lost, walkers tend to tilt hurting the baby.
Myth 3. Some accuse that walkers hinders the baby’s natural walking skills
Fact 3: Sometimes it does. One should not put the baby to walker all the day for several weeks in a row. Baby also should be given chance to crawl on the floor so he can discover the act of standing and walking on his own.
Myth 4: It is advisable to use walker before baby learns to crawl
Fact 4: Using walker before the baby learns to crawl, even if he reached 6 months as recommended on some walkers could keep him immobile for longer and delay his ability to develop necessary motor milestones as he totally depends on walker for moving. It is better to train his muscles to coordinate in the movements associated with walking. Let him learn step by step. First crawl, then sit and then eventually start learning to walk.
Myth 5: It is better to leave baby in walker without monitoring
Fact 5: No baby walkers are subject to parental supervision. While in walker, the baby can lose the balance and fall, reach the objects within his height or find a small object, swallow it and choke himself – which are extremely dangerous. See that gates before the stairs are closed; see that height and weight limit of baby walkers are never exceeded and always be on the watch after you make your baby sit in walker. Always keep watch and never leave the baby near toilets, kitchen, swimming pool or places that are risky for the baby.
Myth 6: Is it ok if I give the baby walker even after he/she learns walking?
Fact 6: Once your baby takes his first steps, take the walker away. Introduce your baby to world of walking humans and even if he loses his balance and has a fall, encourage baby to take steps. Put some toys within the reach of the baby, so he tries to reach them walking on his own. All these will make you r baby enjoy walking totally.
Baby walkers were introduced to assist the babies in walking. See that walker is attractive and at the same time simple as it should attract the baby and if it is too toddy, it might create fear in the minds of the baby. With baby walker, the role of the parent gets started and turns into care taker and constant watch is necessary when your baby is in walker. Please remember that “walkers do not have brakes”