Advice on Brand of Baby Walker for Son

I had an exersaucer before & I really liked it. This time with my thrid child I have the Intellitainer. It's much bigger than the exersaucer. The seat moves back & forth so they can 'walk'. My dd loves it. You can see it here on the fisher-price website. http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2011&e=detail&...

My son is in occupational therapy for sensory integration issues but also has issues related to his sense of his body in space - related to balance, but not - it's called proprioception. His occupational therapist says that she thinks more kids have this problem because as babies they spend too much time on their backs, in baby seats, and in walkers (I also ignored the advice to not use a walker - we live on one floor so he couldn't fall downstairs, so I figured, why not?)

If I could do it again, I would avoid the walker, but also the exersaucer and other entertainment seats. At the time it didn't seem like he was spending that much time in "seats" of different kinds, and we certainly played with him on the ground every day, he walked on schedule, etc., but it seems like he didn't get enough practice to develop that sense of his body that he needed. Obviously that's just him, but the OT thinks it's on the rise, so something to think about.

walker are really bad for baby's would not get one they make there legs grow deformed a jummper roo would be better

C.

We never got a walker--due the unsafe issue, so we opted for an exercise saucer. We had an evenflo one I believe. Babies use their legs to stretch and jump while in it/ or just to sit, though they stay safe and stationary. It also was equiped with toys and mirrors/activities to keep her entertained. I put my daughter in one at about 7 months, I think. She loved it for several months.

I agree not to get a "walker" like the others have said. If you want something to help your baby walk around with, there is the Fisher Price Brilliant Basics musical activity walker that the baby pushes around. They are not IN it, but walk behind it. My kids absolutely LOVED the thing. They are great to help a baby walk around when the baby can not yet walk independently. It's made by Fisher Price or Leap Frog has one simiar I think. There are different models out there. Good luck to you finding what you are looking for to serve the purpose. :)

C.- A physical therapist just spoke at our mom's group. She did not advise children using a walker. She said the way the child leans forward and uses their legs was not helping their development, but hindering it. Not to mention they bang into your walls with it. :) We used the saucer, bouncer, jumper, pack and play, swing, arches, and the regular old floor--all in moderation of course :)
Just food for thought!
K.

I would stick with an exersaucer too... we bought both for our first daughter, and hardly used the walker at all. She did play with it AFTER she had learned to RUN though! ;O)

Good luck!
Jen~

I wouldn't waste the money on a walker. Your baby will only use it for a short period of time. Once they are able to roll, crawl or scoot around on thier own, they don't want to be confined in anything. I think that is better for thier development anyway.

Having said that, I don't think using a walker once in a while will do any harm. Just use common sense and watch your baby at all times. Maybe you could borrow a walker from somebody.

A walker is only good if it's the push type one. The traditional walkers in which you keep the baby in, usually delays the baby from walking on their own. I got my baby an exersaucer(Evenflo) when he was 7 months old. He never liked sitting it in, but would play with the toys standing/balancing near it.

Walkers are not recommended by many doctors. I'm not even sure if they make them anymore. Are you thinking of a wheeled toy, such as a toy shopping cart, that he can stand behind and push/walk? This is what is usually recommended by drs and PTs.
Amy

If you want a walker for your baby get one, we did. As long as your baby doesnt spend all day in it, just a little bit of a time at once, your just fine. We loved the Jeep walkers with the steering wheels with the horn. It was great for my daughter while I was making something for dinner to be in the kitchen with me. As with everything else only YOU know what is safe for your baby.

Don't buy one- period! The American Academy of Pediatrics has clearly said they are dangerous. Kids fall down stairs in them or bag into things and have stuff fall on their heads. Walkers are responsible for many serious injuries every year. Buy an activity center instead or one of the stationary jumpers- the one that doesn't hang from the door but sits on the ground. They get lots of exercise and are occupied. Don't buy a walkert