Baby Walkers Buying Guide

There's no question that when your baby starts to move, you want to help him or her learn faster as much as you possibly can. However, before you start buying walkers, you should learn about what will specifically help your baby to learn, and whether or not there is an easier way. Doctors and parents' support groups have both been studying and discovering the dangers of baby walkers. If you choose to still buy a walker, make sure you follow some precautionary measures to reduce the risk of your baby injuring him or herself, and please, never walk away from your child when he or she is using a walker!

Safety First

Firstly, studies in the UK and the US have shown that baby walkers do not actually help your baby to learn to walk, and in fact some scientists believe it actually impedes your baby's ability to meet this natural milestone. Using a baby walker once in awhile has not proven to hurt child development, but using one all the time can. Approximately 250,000 babies use baby walkers in the UK and of those, 4,000 babies are injured each year while in the walkers. This high occurrence of injury is cause for concern for paediatricians as well as parents. Here is what the experts suggest to be aware of if your baby uses a walker:

• Choose the room: The room should have one surfaced floor, meaning there should not be a combination of carpet and wooden flooring. While baby is wheeling around, he or she could get caught on the edge of the rug and be knocked over. Using a baby walker on a rug will reduce the speed at which she or he is able to roll around. 
• Be aware of dangers: Putting your baby in a walker automatically puts him or her at a higher level of risk. Now baby can reach things previously unreachable, such as tea cups, candles and household chemicals, such as alcohol or perfume. These objects, which were at one point inaccessible, are now shiny new play things for your baby. If you plan on using a baby walker, you should consider baby proofing your home.
• Monitor your baby: By no means is a baby walker a safe place to leave your baby with no supervision. Your child is in a device which can help him or her go faster than before. On slick wooden floors, your baby could start going at frightening speeds without knowing how to stop. Tots can burn themselves on heaters, fall over, crash down stairs and many other horrible things. Please do not leave your child in one of these devices.

Play the old fashioned way

There is no substitute to letting your baby play on the floor. They learn to discover and explore at their own pace. If you are uncomfortable with choosing a baby walker as a toy, try a jungle gym or maybe a stationary centre . These let baby learn to crawl, roll over, and sit up all on his or her own. 

Types of Walkers

Infant Walkers  are usually round or rectangular plastic frames with a cloth hammock for your baby to sit in. The cloth is washable, but many people find they are hard to dry. The larger wheels makes it easier for baby to slide over carpet.	Toddler Walkers  are usually shaped like push lawn mowers. They have a square base with a handle attached. The base is usually brightly coloured and may have a noise maker or lights.	2-in-1 Baby Walkers  are walkers which can double as a play table. These interactive toys are useful while baby sits or stands.

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