Picking the best of the baby walkers

Picking the best of the baby walkers

When your baby starts getting the urge to go places, there's plenty of exercise equipment and play aides out there to encourage those first steps. Between the ages of around five months to a year is an exciting time for them, learning and growing every day. When properly supervised, baby walkers can enable them to discover and get a different perspective on their surroundings. But which types are best for a baby's needs?

 

The conventional walker is one where the baby sits in the center of a wheeled base, able to move around as they like. The obvious precaution here is to make sure anything hazardous is out of reach, only placing them in the walker in a large, even space and keeping a close eye on their movements. This said, most of these types of products have built-in safety features, like a device which locks the wheels if they come into contact with a different surface or a top step.

The alternative is the activity walker, which the baby pushes along like a trolley or pram. As the baby is free to let go of the walker at any time, these are often considered more suitable for older babies (towards a year old) who have naturally gained their balance and are progressing towards walking alone. Advantages include a detachable activity tray in many designs.

You could also look at stationary 'exersaucers' or jumpers. These are basically a baby entertainment center without the wheels but with a swivel or rocking action. They often come with a front tray and overhanging toys. While activity centers can be good if you need a free pair of hands, they still need supervision and may be better for younger ones around 4-5 months, who aren't crawling yet but want to engage in basic movement.

Combination products are also available if you can't decide between the stationary and mobile options, or want something your child can grow with. But with all products, it's necessary to check the labels, making sure the toys are age-appropriate and that the walker has met the approved safety standards. If you can, try in the shop before you buy, as the best way of determining what will suit your baby.

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