Neelamdeep Kaur

So you and your baby have reached a point in life where you think he is ready to start walking. If maybe not walking, at least start learning how to walk. And for that purpose, to give your baby a little extra push, you consider buying a baby walker for him.

How safe a baby walker really is? Should you or should you not buy it? This has been a topic of debate for a very long time now. So let’s see and help you in making a decision on whether or not you should buy it.

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Let me first tell you the reasons why many people are against the idea of using one.

1. First of all, following the ban of baby walker in Canada in 2004 has led many (new) moms to absolutely discard the idea of buying one for their babies even in a country like ours.
2. When you read about why these walkers were banned, you will think twice before you actually go ahead and buy it. From safety point of view, these baby walkers have led to a lot of injuries on young ones, making them extremely dangerous.
3. When babies are left unattended in walkers, there’s a chance they may fall off the stairs (I have known many people complaining about this with their babies, but thankfully with no grave injuries).
4. Not only that, once we put the baby in a walker, we do tend to overlook the fact that even a baby in walker needs constant attention. They cannot be left unattended.

Even I, as a mother who has a hundred tasks at hand, leave my baby in the walker while I attend to the daily chores. However, she is never alone. I make sure she’s in the same room as I.

To add to it all, there are studies that suggest that a walker doesn’t help a baby walk sooner. In a study conducted on babies using walker, it was found out that these babies rather walked a month too late than babies who did not use any walker.

Considering all these points, you may think that a walker may not be needed. But let’s talk about the other side of the story now.

1. The best thing I like about baby walker is that it has all sorts of music and toys hung on to it to keep the baby entertained. All this while you get time for yourself for other important chores.
2. Baby walker do lend a support to the baby when he is still learning to stand on his own two feet. And personally, I think it encourages a baby a great deal.
3. When babies are just learning to stand or walk on their own, they are very curious about their surroundings. If you keep them limited to one place, they are unable to explore what they want to. And I personally believe that there should be a lot of exploration on the part of the babies. This will only help them learn about new things.

Whenever I have my baby in her walker, unless she’s hungry or sleepy, she would keep sitting in it, exploring the house with no fuss at all. And considering I work from home, I do get a lot of time to work.

Buying or not buying a baby walker for your baby is a personal choice. However, always keep in mind that if you do choose to put your baby in one, he is in a safe area.

What are your thoughts on a baby walker? Did you buy one for your baby? Or do you plan to buy one? We’d love to hear what you have to say. Let us know.