It does not take long for a baby to grow and transition from crawling stage to walking, but this phase is not as easy as may look. Babies tend to tumble and fall in this process a lot more often, and since parents cannot always be around to keep an eye on their children, they tend to use help from equipment such as walkers and jumpers, etc. Although these devices help provide support to your child while walking, certain studies proved that these devices also hinder the growth at the same time.

Should I Use Baby Walkers and Jumpers?

Most parents put their child on walker as soon as they see their child showing early signs of walking, which can include signs such as standing up for a few seconds, trying to balance a stand-up posture or trying to take a second step after the first one.

But have you ever noticed your child after they have been put in a walker, he tends to walk in a wavered manner and lets the walker control him, instead of the other way round?

The issue with walkers is that they tend to amplify the slightest movement from the child with the help of wheels attached to their base, therefore the child is no longer walking or trying to move his feet, but is actually just swaying in the walker. Also walkers do not allow your baby to learn proper coordination between joint and leg muscles as a result; they learn to walk later than they normally would.

Another major issue associated with walkers is that they can result in accidents, sometimes so severe that hospital admission is needed for the child. Babies, when learning how to walk, tend to have jumpy and abrupt movements, this can be dangerous for the child since too much speeding or jumping can result in impactful falling or injury to the head. Stitches may be needed in severe trauma and the child may even develop fear of walking (in case of a very serious injury).

What If I Decide to Use a Baby Walkers and Jumpers?

1. What If I Decide to Use a Baby Walker and Jumper?

If you still decide to use a walker, make sure that certain things are thoroughly checked before placing the baby inside it.

• Make the area safe. Be sure that the area where the baby will walk is safe and sufficient for the baby to move around in. This is also being suggested that access to stairs, edgy furniture, uneven ground and windows or doors should be blocked.

• Try built-in brakes. Use built-in brakes for your baby if you feel the necessity to do so, because after a certain time babies will start to speed and move around vigorously in a walker, which can be dangerous for them.

• Make sure your walker does not tip over easily. Walkers can be tricky when a child moves about in different directions. If a walker tips over, injury to face or teeth can occur, if the falls at a crooked angle then knee injury may also result. Try and buy walkers with spread out bases, rather than narrow ones.

• Do not leave your baby alone. Make sure that the baby is always supervised and try and stay as close as two to three feet from him when he is moving. It is also advised to allow only small portions of time to walk in the walker.

2. When Should I Start and Stop Using One?

It is advised to put a baby on walker after he starts to stand on his feet for a few seconds at least, or if he is able to sit on his own. When buying a walker, make sure you inspect the maximum weight it can hold. When your baby reaches that weight limit, you should stop putting him in a walker.

Recommended Safe Baby Walkers and Jumpers

The following table gives a list of 5 most reliable baby walkers which help your child walk on his own and are also safe for use.

Products	Description
Fisher-Price Bright Beginnings Activity Walker	This walker is not only affordable but also easy to use and store. The child must walk himself and learn how to balance, unlike in a walker. Also it has built-in toys which keep a child engrossed if he does not feel like walking anymore.
Walker wagon with blocks	This wagon supports your child on four wheels and comes with blocks that are large and child-friendly, so your child will not have the risk of choking if you are not looking. Also this toy helps your child balance himself without any added help, so your child learns to walk with a natural posture.
Brilliant basics walker	This walker has an added feature of playing music while the child walks, so as to keep the child consumed. Also this walker helps the child walk with four wheel support, adding to the efficiency of the walker.
My early steps learn to walk harness	These harnesses help the child walk as if he was being supported throughout the process of walking and this is achieved with harnesses. These harness help support your child and at the same time help maintain his balance. The harnesses and support pads are made up of soft materials which do not roughen up against the child’s soft skin.
VTech sit to stand learning walker	This walker helps your child with sitting and standing movements and also has different entertaining built-in toys.

Are There Any Other Alternatives?

Walkers are not the ultimate tools to help your child walk and develop a balance; many alternatives can be sought if the parents want to avoid walkers or jumpers. For instance play house; letting your child stay in a play house will give him time and space to walk on his own. You will notice that a child is more like to maintain stand up postures for longer time in a play house or an isolates space allocated for him to play than when placed in a walker.

Try giving the child some open but safe space on an even ground and let him play. Gradually he will learn how to walk and support and balance himself during the course of walking. This also ensures that the child does not depend upon any external help to walk, which means he will learn how to walk even quicker than before.

Try looking out for alternatives for your child that suit you economically and are beneficial for your child at the same time.