There is a huge list of useful tools for a child’s development and entertainment. Each of them is picked according to age, individual characteristics, interests, purposes, and other factors. A baby walker is commonly used for infants in the age of 6 months. The device assists children to move on their own when they have not yet learned to walk. Although there are several types of baby walkers, the most common design for them is a structure with a rectangular base on wheels, table top, and a seat.
Safety Is Crucial
Safety is the first rule for parents. It means that before buying a baby walker, you need to consider many factors and, first of all, make sure that the baby's spine is strong enough to use such a device. Doctors agree that you can put a child in a walker from the age of six months, but it should be borne in mind that all children develop differently, so some of them may not be ready for it at this time. It is important to remember that the baby must first learn to sit and stand on their own feet, holding on to the handrails. Only after that, they can begin to move with the help of such transport. Consult a doctor before using a walker and do not put a child in it if he/she have diseases related to the musculoskeletal system.
Take the following safety precautions:
- When putting an infant in a walker, he/she must be able to reach the floor with the entire foot.
- Make sure that there are no objects on the floor that can prevent movement or cause the walker to tip over. Check the height of the thresholds in each room.
- Do not leave your child unattended in the walker. You must have constant visual control over the situation.
- Choose only high quality device, otherwise it can cause injuries.
Keep in mind that the child should have balanced growth by lying, crawling, sitting, standing, so do not exploit this device. Use the walker rationally: firstly, for 2-3 minutes at a time, so that the baby gets used to it, then gradually add a minute, but do not exceed the limit of 30-40 minutes. Do not use the device more than 2-3 times a day.
Things to Consider When Choosing Baby Walkers
For parents striving to give their child all the best, the choice of toys and various devices is always difficult, and walkers are not an exception in this case. Read the article with a detailed description of the best baby walkers, which will give you a better understanding of the models on the market, and consider the following parameters before purchasing:
Stability of the base. The most stable walkers have a rectangular base, so they are the most popular.
Matching with an infant’s height and weight is an important criterion that allows preventing involuntary folding of the device and falling the baby out of it.
Additional features. The panel of many models has different toys or buttons turning on light or sound effects that play music, voices of birds, and animals. These functions help your child develop and have fun at the same time.
Seat. The best option is a wide and deep seat made of hydrophobic material. It ensures comfort and prevents falling out of it. Make sure that its material will not irritate the skin. It is better to take a walker with removable seat, as it simplifies cleaning.
Adjustability. Children are growing fast, and so that you don't have to buy a new walker all the time, this feature allows you to adjust it to the baby’s height.
Wheels. The model must have at least 4 wheels, but products with 6-8 wheels are considered to be the safest and more stable. It is advisable to take models with silicone wheels to avoid undesirable noise and scratches on the floor. Pay attention to the availability of locks that block movement, so that the walker does not roll at the most inappropriate moment.
It is worth noting that walkers give the child an extraordinary joy because he/she gets the opportunity to move and look around the house independently, to examine and touch new unfamiliar objects, that is, to do everything that he/she could not do, lying in a crib. Besides, he/she moves and turns in a convenient way, getting certain freedom and strengthening the muscles.
Allow your child to discover the world and keep your finger on the pulse regarding safety.
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