baby walker on a train station

[WeThree]

What are peoples experiences/ opinions on baby walkers? I started thinking about this because my brother in-law was on the train the other day when they pulled into a station and he observed a mother with a baby about 8 mths old in a walker. In her rush to get on the train she grabbed the walker on one side & of course all the baby's weight went to the other side and the baby fell out, hitting its head on the concrete, the child started crying and the mother smacked it ! (this part of the story makes my blood boil and obviously goes way beyond a product safety issue) She was abused by her fellow travellers that much for what they had seen that she got off at the next stop to wait for the next train instead. Anyway as i said, apart from wishing that this woman should not be allowed to have children, it got me thinking about walkers. A friend of mine has offered me hers but i have said no as I have always thought they were unsafe & can damage childrens legs, but am I wrong or overreacting? Anyone with positive experiences? I mean obviously a baby in a walker on a train station is crazy, but what about just in the loungeroom with mum watching? Im interested to hear what other people think

[2under2]

Hi coopsntilly, you are right, some people should not be allowed to have children! I think they are fine PROVIDED they are used under constant supervision. My floors are uneven - tiles, wood and carpet so would not bother here. I have heard the same said about the jolly jumper (damaging to legs etc) but my daughter loved hers and walked at 11 mths with no prob at all! I have seen an activity centre, set up similar to a walker that I thought would be ok, but have plenty of time before I shall need one for Bradley (only 8 weeks old now).

[Chickadee]

Anything is unstable and dangerous if used wrong. Why wasn't the baby in the walker strapped in? The same accident could easily happen with a pram or stroller grabbed quickly by one handle. But what I meant to say was...

Baby walkers have been banned from sale in Canada by the government as they were judged unsafe. Too many accidents were occurring with babies ending up going down steps (even 1 step would be bad) or otherwise getting hurt. It's incredible how quickly kids can move in them and only takes a second of inattention while making dinner or answering the door for an accident. If you absolutely want to get one, or are given one, I'd make sure it doesn't fit through your doorways so bub stays in the room you intended them to be in, and never use it anywhere the floors are uneven. I think the activity centre without wheels would be the safest option.

[Graeme]

Hi

A early child nurse friend of mine told us off for using one. She said that it encourages children to walk on tipee toes. No idea if it is true, but she was good at what she did.

At the same time we found it useful as a low chair. We used it more as a seat than a walker.

Your story was pretty scary too. My experience suggests that the mother wants the best for her child, but all sorts of things get in the way. I'd love to know the best way to respond and support people in their (both the mother and child) postion.

Graeme

[Aaliyahsmum]

Hi,
That story is so sad. No baby deserves to be treated like that , its discusting.

My personal opinion on baby walkers is I think they actually slow down their developing into walking on their own as it incourages the baby to walk on their toes at fast speeds, and also doesnt give them the chance to learn to balance on their own.
Not to mention how dangerous they are!!

Your baby is much better of having lots of floor play time with you so he/she can develop these skills for him/herself.

Jaki (Aaliyahsmum) :)
mum to
Aidan -8yrs
Nickolas -4 yrs
Aaliyah -11 Months

[Lallas' Mum]

As most people have already mentioned, walkers have a very bad reputation. The biggest problem is that if they do topple over the baby is very vunerable and is always going to hit their head. So any fall in a walker is a serious one.

I personally think they are very unsafe. An alternative I found for my son was one of those play centres that look like walkers but wothout the wheels. The one he had simply couldn't be toppled as it was so sturdy and well balanced. It had bouncey legs that gave it a little bit of spring. It could also be adjusted to varying heights.

It certainly didn't impede his development as he was standing at 7 1/2 months and walking by nine months! He is now 17 months old, has no bowed legs, is not a toe walker and can run jump and balance on one leg very well.

The decision is ultimately yours but I certainly would not use a walker and can highly recommend a stationary play centre instead.

[WeThree]

hi everyone, I think MarthaM had a valid point in that anything can be unstable or unsafe if they are not used correctly & i am glad to see that i am certainly not the only one who thinks walkers are unsafe! I think they can give some people a false sense of security & they leave baby unsupervised & then accidents happen. As for that woman it was good to hear that all the people on the train spoke up, it might make her think twice about the way she treats her child, I think sometimes these things continue to happen because good people dont speak up as they dont want to be seen as 'interfering'. Anyway im not planning on taking my friend up on her offer of the baby walker, but am just interested in other peoples opininions :)

[Taylor & Lachlans Mummy]

Hi, I had a play centre (bug) that converted in to a walker, the good thing was though they could only walk in circles as it was a circle & had a rubber foor & two wheels so It could do a meter diameter. It was great because I could lock it still so it was just an actvity area or they could eat in it or completely move. It can cause problems if the child is left in it all the time. But my kids esp Taylor was in it a majority of the time esp when she was trying to walk as she couldnt fall or tip in it. the brand was chicco im sure they would have a website if you want to have a look. you just have to really check each one out & make sure it is waht you want.

[Ivy-Rose]

Hi all,
I have used a walker for my first but we had same flooring all through the house and a huge areas. High edges at door frames so if a door was left open the walker didn't tip out the door.
He was only allowed in it for a sort time each day like if I was busy doing house work he could quickly keep up with me none of the screaming crawler that couldn't find me.
My second the house was way to small and it was high set so no way was I having it out.
But my third she loves it and she chases us around the house laughing.
We have another very open house with safe floors etc.
I have to say that the only child of mine so far that has had problems with there legs and feet was my second and she didn't use the walker. But she did walk at 8mths. Maybe thats why she had problems. She has out grown them thankfully.
So I believe in the the right house with the right supervsion and realistic idea how and when to use them they are fine. Sanity savers sometimes.
As for the lady at the station what the hell was she doing smacking an 8mth old and what the heek a walker at the station. She has been badly informed and has little common sense. My 8mth old flies in her walker goodness knows where that child could have ended up and I'd rather not think about it.
Cheers Emma

[Mother Duck]

Hi there Erin - Hello All

I agree with Graeme (by the way great to see a gent in our chats - welcome!)

I also had a very good CHN speak very strongly against using a walker. I was surprised actually as she does not 'tell you what to do' much at all - just makes suggestions - but she was adamant that they are really bad news.

So I just didn't bother to use one.

Bye for now
Jessie

[Ari's_mum]

When I had Ari I was given different bits of advice from different people, some supporting the use of walkers, some not. I made up my own mind and decided not to get Ari one. Well for his first Christmas he was given one by his grandparents. I ended up using it and i had no problems with it whatsoever. We were living in a small place that was all carpeted, except the kitchen so we had no probs with the floors and there wasn't really much room for him to get into mischief in it either. I definitely think that supervision is important.

[leroysmummy]

I took my son to a paediatric (sp?) physio at my local public hospital (to have his hips checked at 6 weeks) and she told me they are working hard to have both jolly jumpers and any form of walker banned from sale in this country. gets you thinking...

[Lucybelle]

My little man just loves his jolly jumper. My MCHN says it's the people that leave their kids in it ALL DAY that are the problem.
My man is only in it for about 20 mins at a time, and he enjoys it SO much.

[redbaby]

Scarlett also loves her jolly jumper,..she is in it for about 20 mins a day and squeals with delight the entire time! Re: Walkers,..I think that they are bad news though,..my mum told me a story about a baby arriving at the emergency department with 3rd degree burns over 80% of her body as she had 'walked' into a heater, and had been unable to get herself away from it,.. sickening story,...

[WeThree]

oh jane what a sad story, that poor little thing... i agree with you about jollyjumpers, even though i havnt used one since thomas was a baby i think for a short period of time occassionally they are fine, babies just love them :)

[our little treasures]

I had a maternal child health nurse tell me not to use the walker, jolly jumper, or an activity centre, well I knew about the walker and jj but asked why the act centre and she replied that it causes toddlers to walk on tip toes as it doesnt stretch their leg muscles. I still own my very expensive act centre and still put my dd in it. Some advice you have to take with a pinch of salt, I only put my daughter in it for short periods to feed to wash the car and to have a shower. Where else do you put them in those circumstances, the prams un safe the bouncers are unsafe etc etc.

Just my thoughts! ;)

[lilizzysmommy]

I really don't see the point in using walkers, my baby was just happy crawing around and at 8 1/2 months started walking around the ferniture. Honestly is better to leave the child alone to go at their own pace, a walker just forces them to sit there with their lil legs hangin out, just let them crawl. But at the end of the day is up to you, many ppl have used them and their babies are fine is just a matter of wheather suits you or not.

[kirstin]

My walker was excellent and allowed Daniel to sit up and see the world. We also had carpet everywhere in that house so it was fine as it slows it right down but I am expecting my second in a house with tiles all the way through. Not so sure if I will use it, will just have to see how it goes.