Using a Walker - Is It Safe?

I was told by the doctor that the reason they tell you not to use them was that they collapsed, so I just got one that didn't fold up. My kids loved their walkers.

I was debating about this subject too. My son is 8 months, i decided to get one after all... But yes becareful with everything around!!! And also do not set it too low because my son is long and he tries to reach over to things that are on the floor. When my little brother was in his walker he reached for a broom, that hit a wooden box that holds mail, which fell on his head and caused him to go to the hospital so think about brooms and mops too! Put everything away.

All 3 of my kiddos used walkers with no problems. You must take precautions, however, to assure safe use. They must not be used around stairs or other drops and there can be no lamps or other items within reach that can be pulled/knocked down. My oldest was very frustrated with not being able to walk and the walker was a real life saver until she could go on her own. The other 2 only used it a little, one prefering to crawl and the other to roll/scooch to get where they wanted to go. Hope this helps.

Alicia is correct. The secret with the walker is to make sure the area is clear of anything she could get caught up in example electrical cords, extra long drapes. Block off any stairs. Make sure that her hands cannot reach beyond the tray if she is in the kitchen and the stove is on. She may reach out and get burned.

Our daughter was also an early walker, 6 months, no kidding. The care giver that took care of our daughter also used the walker, because she was afraid our daughter might hurt herself trying to keep up with the other kids.
Our daughter loved it, we have all wooden floors and no rugs. She learned to run so fast she could scoot in out of rooms faster than we could keep up with her sometimes in that walker.

If she has a phsyical therapist, I would check with that person first.

Being the oldest child and helping raise my younger brother and sister (10 to 13 years older), as well as my own two children, and various babies I watching during my teen years, I say YES. Use a walker that she can get around in. Those "treadmill" type walkers are torture!! Would you want to be put in a wheelchair that didn't go anywhere? No matter how quickly you moved your arms, you just couldn't go? My sister put my newphew in one of the tredmill ones once, and I took it outside and left it on the porch. I got him a real walker and kept up with him myself. He actually started walking later than both of my children, and his sister whom never was in the treadmill one. He has no movitation to go anywhere, so he didnt' use his legs.

I do not have a child with special needs but I do have a baby girl who will be a year old next month and has chosen to not want to crawl. If you hold her hands shw will want to walk so I told her doctor and she asked right away if she uses a walker because the doctor mentioned that walkers actually delay a baby to walk. Have you looked into an entertainer. That is a stationary unit that has toys all around it and the chair moves 360 degrees so it strenghtens the muscles in the baby's legs as well as helps with their dexterity because of all the toys. My daughter loves it. You might want to ask your baby's doctor about that. Good luck to you and hope you have a wonderful holiday.

They are very safe. Oh course, don't leave her alone and childproof the house like youwould for any walker and don't use them at the top of any stairs (they can get up enough momentum to knock them down)

I do not have special needs children. But, I used a walker with all 3 of my kids with no problems. I do live in a one story house and I think the biggest scare is the kid being able to fit through doors or fall down stairs. But, from what I understand, the manufacturers of any new walkers make the base wide enough that it won't fit through standard doorways. I say to regard the concerns and keep them in mind within reason. But, at the same time, use a tool that has been used for years and could actually benefit your daughter greatly.

S., I don't have an answer for you, but I know of a place called Little Tesoros, they offer therapy of all sorts. My son was going for speech and occupational therapy. While he was there, there was a little boy getting physical therapy, he couldn't walk.. Anyway, the the few months we were there, he progressed so much, I was amazed.. One of the owners was giving him the therapy. They are located up north off of 183 and Burnet Rd. If you are already receiving therapy, I would ask the therapist about the walker.. Good luck!...

I never used one with mine but they are not a special need children either. i chose not to for the saftey reason given now but since yours is a special need shild I would say defineately go for it, she need to for the reasons you listed that she needs help with

Hi S., I used a walker with both of our children. We have always had hardwood floors so they were late crawlers because of it. Not to mention, the walker worked well on our floors. I never understood why they are so controversial. Anyone with a brain should know to never use them upstairs and to keep the child away from open oven doors or anything unsafe along those lines (which you do anyway!). As far as I'm concerned, my daughter climbing up onto chairs, etc., is far more dangerous than a walker. Some say they can delay walking because of the stance they have in a walker. I never found that an issue. I believe your daughter will feel so independant using a walker. I can imagine she would feel less frustrated (being able to go where she wants to go). Definitely try it out!

Hi S.,

I know you have already gotten tons of advice, but I wanted to share my experience with you. My son had cerebral palsy - and high muscle tone - but he also had no coordination. He was also in all of the therapies through ECI (his OT started when he was 6 weeks old). My honest opinion is that I would go for it as long as your doctor and therapists can agree that it's ok. AND: I would not use one of the store bought walkers. There is a walker, it's called a "gait trainer" that is specifically made for children with special needs. My son had one, and he loved it. His had a seat that he could rest on, as well as a chest "harness" that went around his trunk to support his upper body. I can email you a photo if you'd like to see what it looks like. His was called a Pacer. The gait trainer can be custom designed to fit her needs. It teaches her the proper way to walk by supporting her correctly. I don't know how small they are (or how tall your daughter is) but I know they come in different sizes. My son was 4 when he really started to like it and was able to really get around in it, but it was well worth it!

Good luck, and God Bless!
A.

Hi

I work in Specual Ed and the walker is safe but your walls might take alittle beating at first until your child learns to use it.

I have a special needs daughter who didn't walk until she was three. Nearly ALL of our family and friends suggested a walker. But our PT strongly encouraged against. She said it developed the wrong muscles and encouraged walking in a bent, seated position which would most likely delay her walking unsupported even more. So we opted to avoid a walker. Instead we encouraged toys she could hold onto and "push" such as a toy shopping cart. We had to modify them a little so they would not move too fast for her or tip easily if leaned upon. She now runs around with her seven year old brother as though she's done it all along! Hang in there, and do some checking with your therapists before you invest in a walker.

Hey S.,

I am also a mom with a little girl with DS, who happens to now be 8, in second grade and reading & doing math....

We did us a walker in the kitchen are and blocked off the exit for her. It really was a great way for her to wheel around and it was great exercise. My Alex didn't really suffer from low muscle tone so just to air on the side of caution I would check with her OT. I am assuming you do have her with Early Childhood Intervention.

Good luck,
Debra

I think that if you are supervising her at all times then a walker is a good way for her muscles to develop. The problem with walkers, I think, came with kids falling over with the walkers and getting hurt. As with anything, supervise (which I know you'll do) and it should be a useful tool.

**ETA I just read the response where a woman pointed out that her doctor said the wrong muscles were developed and the wrong part of the foot was used in a walker. That's something to think about. I would talk to her doctor and/or PT about using a walker.

There's a high tipping hazard, so make sure you're with her at all times. The American Acadamy of Pediatrics says "walkers are never safe to use, even with close adult supervision" and that many walker injuries occur while the child was being supervised by an adult.

Here's a good article on the subject of walker safety. http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/safety/baby_walker...

I wonder if she's too heavy for the stationary jumpers? Like johnny jumpup but has a stand. Make sure if you get a walker that you read the reviews on that particular one if you can find them (like on the Target and Babies R Us sites.) That will let you know what experiences others are having with that particular one.

I was sworn off walkers but my sister convinced me to try hers with baby #4 because she used it with my daughter while babysitting. She really enjoyed it and it kept her from feeling as frustrated, which is what I know you're hoping it will accomplish. She could be with me whenever she liked. It also had locks to keep it from moving and an activity tray that snapped on so when I was cooking I had her nearby but still. I always worried, though, that she would be injured....so it was a trade off.

The only danger of walkers that I'm aware of relates to stairs and other obstacles that can cause it to fall. If you get a stable one, make sure stairs are securely blocked, and keep it away from other dangerous objects (e.g., a fireplace hearth), by all means, use one. My son was a late walker and it seemed to help him get the hang of it...he went straight from scooting to walking...never crawled!

I used a walker for both my kids. The reason people think they are unsafe is because if you leave your baby alone in one, or use it near something that can be knocked off a table or counter and hurt them, then yes it's unsafe! But I always made sure they had a clear path, nothing within reach to pull down or knock over on top of them, and I always kept an eye on them, just as if they were crawling around. It was a great tool for both my kids in building leg strength and they were both early walkers (11 mo. for my first, 10 mo. for my second). They loved being able to see the world at a different angle, instead of sitting or laying down. They both started in the walker as soon as they could hold their head up well (with a blanket rolled up around them to support their chest). I would highly recommend one if used in an appropriate, safe setting =)

I used a walker with my son. You've gotten some excellent feedback here. Never use a walker on an upper level or where there is a step down of any kind. Don't use them at the top of a sloped driveway. Don't open your hot oven when your little one is close enough to scoot over.

Use your mom-sense (what I called my parental paranoia).

S.,

I think that using a walker for your intended purpose, on a flat surface where there is no risk for falling, is perfect! Anything to decrease a child's frustration and increase independence is great! My hope for your daughter is that she would use the walker for a couple of months and then progress to a good sturdy push toy. A large plastic container weighted down with stuff inside makes a great push toy. Does your daughter have a PT or OT through ECI? Good luck with this! May God bless you with strength, patience, and wisdom to be the best mom you can be to your wonderfully perfect and beautiful little girl!

S.

My oldest son (typically developing) walked behind push toys, the ones with a wide base, until he was 15 months old and we went on vacation and he decided to walk on his own without any help. Is your daughter strong enough in her standing to use a push toy to stand and move around the kitchen as she "helps" you?
My second son has special needs and his very low muscle tone made him a very late walker (he's actually been late with everything, but you know how that goes...we just quit watching that imaginary clock of when baby is "supposed" to do something and just celebrate what happens). Anyway, his ECI therapist used a Kaye support walker with him. We eventually bought one for him and he used it between ages 2.5 and almost 4 when he was able to walk without it.
The fact that your daughter refuses to crawl shows she will let you know what she prefers, so just go with that and try some different things to help her do what she's motivated to do. If she's not getting services from ECI, Any Baby Can, or whoever services your area, I highly recommend their help and support services!

I would suggest speaking with a professional pt, who specializes in DS. My doctor told me they hinder true development, children use the wrong part of their feet to walk in them. There are all sorts of government funded programs to help families with special needs children regardless of your families income.

I used a walker with my little guy and he loved it. It was a great way for him to get around and work out those little leg muscles. Just be sure that you are monitoring her when she is in the walker and that she can't reach anything that could topple over on her and I think it is perfectly safe. The walker was the highlight of my baby boy's life for quite a while before he started walking on his own. I too would put him in it in the kitchen and he could hang with me while I was cooking. He loved it! So I say go for it:)

Hi S.! From my family's experience, we used both one of those activity stations and a walker for my little brother who also has DS. At first we were told he'd never walk and alot of other nonsense but my mother, Easter Seals therapists, myself and my sisters, and grandmother were persisitant and continuouslly worked with my brother. He is now a very healthy 9 year old. He actually didn't start walking by himself until he was about 2 1/2, yes it was a challenge for all of us, but with patience and therapy he did really well. He would jump around and spin around in the activity center and he would run all over grandma's house in his walker lol. All in all I would say "Yes" to using a walker. IF you can, try to contact your local Easter Seals, and see if you can possibly get your daughter into therapy. The therapists would come over twice a week and work with my brother, and were absolutely a Godsend! Also, see if you can get enrolled in this program called ANY BABY CAN. My grandmother used to volunteer with them and they specialize in offering help for families with children with special needs. Best wishes to you and your family!

Yes, put her in the walker. We get tired when we walk, let her little body rest.

I have used a walker with both of my older children and probably will with my newest addition. As long as there are no stairs and you are always present while the walker is being used, you shouldn't have a problem. Keep in my your daughter will be able to get 'into' more stuff, so take precatuions to keep her safe. Good luck and happy cruising!