I'm getting mixed reviews about walkers on whether they help or hurt a child's walking abilities. Some friends have recommended the push along walkers rather than the ones that have a seat. Do any mummies have walkers they were particularly happy with?

I’ve gathered from the KKH article that it is not advisable to put baby in a walker. It may cause your baby to walk later. Seems like walkers will hinder or slow down a baby’s development of balance and walking skills. It is also highlighted in the article that a walker may cause atypical walking pattern. The hips and knees are bent and baby will likely be on his/her toes while walking in the walker. This causes the baby to use different muscle groups for walking and this may become a habit that is difficult to correct in future. There is also a higher chance of baby injuring themselves as they are able to travel faster in a walker. Accidents can happen in a split second before a parent could react. For more information, you can take a look at this article: http://www.kkh.com.sg/HealthPedia/Pages/GrowingUpWalking.aspx

Holding a push along walker will give your baby something to support and guide baby as he or she walks. It will help baby learn to look ahead to make sure that he/she avoids obstacles. This will boost baby's confidence and encourage her to be more coordinated as baby gets around. I honestly feel that a push along toy/walker will be better for baby's overall motor skills development compared to the traditional seated walker. It helps baby be more independent and stronger in the long run as well confident in moving around as opposed to sitting comfortably in the seat of a walker. Check out Fisherprice for such push toys. They don't cost too much and their toys have interactive pieces that will stimulate not only baby's motor skills but also their intellectual ones.

According to the Child Accident Prevention Trust, baby walkers are associated with more injuries than any other piece of nursery equipment. They make it easier for your baby to come into contact with hazards such as sharp object and hot drinks, and children have even tumbled down flights of stairs whilst using one. Walkers can delay development, too, as babies spend less time developing floor mobility skills, such as sitting and crawling, and get used to walking on their toes rather than the soles of their feet. I would personally not buy a walker, but if you already have one - limit it to under 20 mins use a day.

Many people are still using walker nowsday, as usual it's really depend on the parents. Push along walker is also not safe if you baby can't stand firmly, they tend to fall too. Walker with seat, if you monitor with time limit, is ok. Basically don't you think jumperoo, exersaucer and walker design is about the same? Just that, jumperoo is for jumping, exersaucer is for standing and walker is to walk around. And jumperoo and Exersaucer also need to limit the timing for playing too.

Food for thought: Walkers are actually illegal in Canada due to the potential for injury to a child. It's been banned since 2004. Owners of baby walkers may be fined up to $100,000 or sentenced to up to six months in jail

thanks