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Nowadays a variety of developmental devices are provided for children. Questions arise about the necessity and useful properties of the means designed to facilitate parental work. For example, the benefits and harms of walkers cause a lot of controversy among moms, dads and children's specialists.
What is a baby walker for?
A walker is a device that is designed to help move independently when the baby is just crawling. The design is a chair with straps and a small tabletop mounted on casters. At a young age, it is boring to just sit in a playpen or a crib, and the device has useful properties: it entertains and helps to explore the surrounding space.
Disputes about the benefits and harms of such a "helper" do not subside.
The useful properties of the device are obvious - it makes it easier for the baby to move. Moms often forget that the toddler needs to independently perform new tasks, make efforts and learn. Assistance with space exploration can be harmful, especially if it completely overshadows the benefits of learning the skills required.
A toddler in an assistive device does not need to lean on the walls and develop the ability to maintain balance. He will be able to sit with his feet off the floor and quickly move in the right direction. As a result, there is no need to work and walk on your own. Therefore, the useful properties of the device cannot be exaggerated.
What are the walkers
Walkers for children are found in various designs, colors, as well as supplemented with various entertaining details and, as a result, have various useful properties and bring one or another harm.
There is a whole list of devices on the market that allows you to choose the most suitable one:
- The classic walker model allows the baby to move around the apartment without support, usefully engage in the study of the surrounding space and strengthen the legs.
- The rocking walker, or transformer, combines a rocking chair and a walker, has a height adjuster, a panel with entertaining toys, and a comfortable seat.
- Walkers-jumpers. The external design of such an accessory for children is similar to a kangaroo backpack equipped with special belts. As a rule, it is suspended in a doorway and is allowed to be used from six months, and it is imperative to obtain permission from an orthopedist. Then the application will take place without harm and useful properties will be obtained.
- Wheelchair walkers are very loved by children. They resemble a toy on wheels, which the toddler pushes in front of him. Baby walker-wheelchair is designed for children who can stand and walk independently.
- Walking walkers (for children with cerebral palsy) are either elbow support or rollator walkers, where the support is located on the back side.
From how many months a child can be put on a walker
The benefits and harms of a walker for babies can be equal if you do not pay attention to the recommendations and advice of specialists and use the device solely so that parents can go about their business while the baby is growing and mastering the world.
The baby is allowed to be put into the device when he has already taken his first steps, only then it will be possible to reduce the probable harm and obtain useful properties.
In this case, it is necessary to make sure that the listed contraindications do not exist:
- weak muscle tone in the legs;
- irritated skin in the groin;
- the presence of diagnosed rickets;
- disorders in the musculoskeletal system.
Even if all the indicators of the crumbs are normal, it is necessary to take into account the following factors:
- The baby is over 8 months old.
- The presence of strengthened back muscles in the toddler. It should not fall to one side, the back should be kept straight. As a rule, this happens in six months to nine months.
- It is also important to take into account the psychological factor. When the baby crawls confidently and has a desire to move independently, you can offer him a similar remedy.
Girl
More concern is required about the joints of female children.
If a similar disease has been previously identified and treated, a walker should not be used. Otherwise, a relapse of the disease will be provoked, which cannot be completely cured at an older age. The useful properties of a walker in such a situation are questionable.
It is necessary to be extremely careful with the joints of girls, so as not to cause harm. The back and pelvis of the little beauty must be fully strengthened, no earlier than 9 months it is allowed to subject them to tests.
Only taking into account the above recommendations and contraindications, after consulting a doctor, you can use the useful properties of the device. Otherwise, instead of the benefits to the parents and the beneficial properties of the walker, the newborn will be seriously harmed.
Boy
Pediatricians recommend focusing on general recommendations. Do not leave the boy in the walker for more than 40 minutes. You cannot put a boy on a walker earlier than 8 months, otherwise there may be deviations in the development of the genitals.
Is a walker good for a child?
Walkers also have useful properties:
- Walkers for children are beneficial in developing the independence of the baby: he will be able to move around without help and explore the world around him.
- Mom can watch the little one and at the same time do homework.
- The baby is safer in the process of learning to walk because the walker has a wide bumper area.
When a walker can harm a baby
- When purchasing a low-quality accessory, there is a risk of harming the baby, therefore, if you want to benefit, you should pay attention to the quality.
- In a small apartment, using a walker will not work, it will simply be impossible to turn around in them.
- Being in a walker does not mean complete safety. There is a risk of catching and toppling over, dropping something on yourself and getting hurt.
- It is not permissible to leave children in a walker for an extended period. You can usefully spend in them 2 times a day for 30 minutes.
Contraindications to the use of walkers
- If the "passenger" is too small, he cannot sit and keep his back straight.
- The presence of inflammation or damage to the skin in places of contact with the device.
- Signs of rickets.
- Hyper- or hypotension of the baby's legs.
- The presence of violations in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
- When the baby does not want to be in the device: he is afraid, shows inconvenience, is not inclined to such entertainment.
Otherwise, there is a risk of getting back pain, which will be fraught with serious consequences when growing up.
How to use a walker correctly
- It is not recommended to use a walker before the little one starts to sit on their own for a long time. And it is even better when the baby gets up in the crib.
- The first step is to change the height of the device according to the growth of the little one. It is important that the baby rests on the floor with his entire foot.
- The baby should only move in a walker in shoes with an orthopedic insole, a high back and correct leg fixation. Then the risk of improper installation of the foot will be reduced, because the right shoes will allow you to correctly distribute the load.
- The time spent in the walker depends on the child's age category, the level of physical development, endurance and activity. You should start with 7-10 minutes a day. It is necessary to increase the period slowly. Do not exceed 40 minutes a day.
- The toddler should be constantly in the field of view of adults.
How to choose a walker for your baby
Choosing a walker is not as easy as you might think the first time around. The number of models in stores is amazing.
- If the baby is already getting up with support, but has not learned to walk, then it is better to buy a device on wheels. The main quality required is a solid base. It is important to make sure that the accessory is the right size, is made of sturdy material, has good wheel retention, and the wheels should rotate easily.
- You need to check that the seat is comfortable, with a soft back. The best option would be a device with a planting depth adjuster.
- For a toddler just starting to walk, it is better to choose a push walker. At the time of selection, you should pay attention to the possibility of adjusting the height of the structure, so that the little one keeps his back straight when moving, only then the use of the walker-walker will be noticeable.
- The material should be chosen strong, environmentally friendly.
- Walkers must keep balance; it is better that they be equipped with a table with educational toys.
- Before purchasing, you should read the reviews about the vending models.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of walkers are irrelevant. The use has many advantages for the parents of the baby, as it allows you to free your hands. If you want to acquire such a device, you should definitely consult with a specialist. It is important to follow all the recommendations and contraindications of doctors. After all, no free time is worth those harmful properties that will not benefit the baby at all.
