Parents eagerly await seeing their child's first steps and proudly record that amongst his other achievements in his “baby book”. Walking is a significant milestone in the baby and the parents lives, since it signifies independence. You might wish to support your baby through this path of exploration and independence by bringing a walker to him. 

When is The Right Time to Use A Baby Walker? 

While there is no specific age at which a newborn should begin using a walker, the baby's strength, development, and size must all be taken into account before making this decision and using a walker. Walkers are typically developed for babies aged 4 to 16 months. But be careful; when using the walker, the infant must be able to hold his head up steadily and have his feet touch the ground when seated in it. Furthermore, if your baby is already able to walk, he or she should not be allowed to ride a baby walker.

The Advantages of Baby Walkers

Here are a few advantages to purchasing a walker for your child.

1. Inspiring and motivating

To keep the infant engaged and interested, most baby walkers are provided with toys or attractions that are made to encourage brain development while also providing visual stimulation. This time would be a great chance for you to continue your daily tasks.

2. Encourage your baby to walk.

Using a walker may encourage your baby to take his first steps. It enables the infant to comprehend how the standing position will assist him with walking, and he will attempt to walk on his own.

3. promote mobility.

Children aged 8 to 12 months are eager to investigate and explore their surroundings. So, using a walker can give them the mobility they require. It also allows them to move around independently.

Disadvantages of Using Baby Walkers

Although using baby walkers has become extremely popular around the world, they do come with some disadvantages. Here are some disadvantages of using baby walkers: 

1. Babies who use walkers may reach the walking or crawling stages later than others.

2. You should leave your child on the floor in order to complete the roll-sit-up-crawl-walk sequence. This exercise strengthens all of the muscles required to stand or walk, and using a walker may prevent your baby from these advantages.

3. And it becomes very easy for a baby in a walker to damage the objects that are out of reach for him while crawling and this could be the cause of injury.

4. Babies who use a baby walker might:

  • Trip and fall.
  • Go to dangerous places that are normally inaccessible to them.
  • Roll down the stairs.

Precautions to Take While Using a Baby Walker

  • Make sure the baby walker is used on a flat surface.

  • Keep the baby and walker away from any stairwells or water.

  • When the baby is using the walker, you or another responsible adult must be present.

  • Clear the area of any sharp or dangerous objects or surfaces. And you should move the heavy or breakable items to a different place.

  • Don’t use a walker before your baby can sit.
  • Don’t leave your baby in a walker for more than 15 minutes.

Finally, making sure that the baby’s development is unhindered is your responsibility. As we've seen, baby walkers come with their own advantages and disadvantages, and you must take precautions so that the benefits are emphasized while the drawbacks are minimized.