When Can Baby Use Push Walker

It would be a good idea if you are considering getting your toddlers a push walker to let them walk independently! Many parents choose a push walker to teach their children to walk independently.  Besides, there is always confusion when they are allowed to get their toddlers a push walker. The answer is obvious.

Once your baby learns to stand and walk a little, he/she can use a push walker. Around 6-9 months, a baby can hold up their head and sit confidently. Most children also start cruising confidently. After this sign, using a baby push walker is safe!

Get all related answers about using a baby push walker with this entire article. This article will also reveal the pediatrician's opinion and the truth about the baby's push walker.

When can baby use push walker?

A baby can use a push walker when he learns to cruise and stand independently. Usually, babies can use push walkers at their 6-month age.

At 6-9 months old, most babies can hold up their heads and stay independent with support. So, it can be the safest time to get your baby a push walker.

However, there's no exact time when a baby can use push walkers. At the same time, it is the right time to use push walkers when a baby stands up independently.

Therefore, I have given you some step-by-step guidelines to get your toddler's push walkers in the appropriate time and position.  Let's take a look-

Step-by-step guidelines to get your toddler's push walkers in Due Time and position:

Step 1: Buy a plastic push walker

Usually, the baby push walkers are designed for 4 months to 3 years old babies. There are also differences in design, material and features.

Selecting a plastic baby push walker is an advantage. Most plastic baby walkers have an activity panel in front of them. The activity panel can be detachable. 

Step 2: Encourage them to sit confidently

When a baby can sit up confidently, then they can hold their head. Also, it improves their physical capabilities.

Therefore, it is better to ensure their physical capabilities for being a push walker. So, how can a push walker help in this section?

Well, detach and put the activity panel on the ground. The activity panel has a light and music option that helps the baby to sit up confidently and interact with. They will enjoy their tummy time also.

Warning: Don't try this with a little age baby who can't sit yet. You can use a mat for safety.

Step 3: Help baby to stand up independently

Once your baby learns to sit up, it's time to see how quickly they learn to stand up quickly. Encourage them to stand up while cruising.

You can use a sofa or chairs to learn how to stand. They will hold the furniture and keep standing with support. This exercise will strengthen their feet muscles.  Here, it is a plus point to ensure the baby can stand to hold the push walkers.

Step 4: Try a push walker

Once they stand up confidently, then you can get them to push their walker to grip the handle and practice walking. It is the most useful technique to give your toddlers a safe ride with their push walkers.

And it's the best time to get your baby to push walkers if you properly follow these tricks.

Warning: Don't leave them alone with push walkers.  It can cause injury. Stand behind them to keep them free from falling.

Benefits of baby push walker

A baby push walker can play a role to learn walking. How? Let's know the benefits  -

1. Develop coordination and balance

When your toddlers push the walker to walk, they use both their arms and legs together. Hence, that helps them to improve coordination. Also, a push walker helps to learn balance when standing and walking.

2. Strengthen Muscle

Baby uses their legs to move they start learning to walk. A push walker gives them more confidence to walk. Hence, they want to walk and practice more. Hence, it helps to strengthen muscles.

3. Allow Them to Explore More

A baby goes from one side to another side of a house with a push walker. So they can explore more things that they couldn't reach before. They are also having fun.

Is it Safe to Use Baby Push Walkers?

American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations always get priority for children's foot health. Sorry to say, the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend baby push walkers. The reasons are-

1. Baby push walkers cause serious injury

The baby push walkers can cause injury to your baby. At Shetland, every year, there are numerous cases of muscle, bone and joint problems that are directly linked to using a baby walker. Therefore, Canada banned the baby walker sale. ~Source

So, there's a possibility of falling on stairs or running on an object. That'll cause short or serious injuries.

2. Doesn't improve feet development

Most pediatricians also don't suggest any push walkers rather than encourage cruising and standing to practice walking.

Research shows that a baby with a push walker has less control development and trunk control rather than a baby who doesn't use a push walker.  ~ Source

3. Can delay the development to stand or walk

There's a myth that a baby can walk faster with push walkers. But that's not true.

According to a British Medical Journal Paper, there's no link between a push walker contributing to a baby's learning sitting, standing or walking. It can even delay development. ~Source

Is a push walker good for baby?

Push walkers are good for a baby until they don't cause any injuries. A push walker helps the baby to learn to walk and explore more. Besides, a baby can fall on stairs. Again, the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't remove push walkers as serious injuries are at risk.

Is push walker necessary?

No, a push walker is not necessary at all. Once babies start crawling and sitting up perfectly, they can learn to stand and walk by cruising. But, if you want to give a try with a push walker, then it's also a good choice for your child to walk.

Do push walkers delay walking?

Push walkers can delay walking, according to British Medical Journal. A baby only walks with the support of push walkers. So, they can be a late walker to walk independently.

What's the difference between a walker and a push walker?

A push walker is a supportive toy that requires push to walk. A baby walker has a seat for the baby to sit up. And they use their feet to move. A push walker is used when a baby learns to stand and walk. Besides, a baby walker doesn't require the baby to stand.

Conclusion

Although there's a myth and debate all over about a push walker. But, your baby can benefit from a push walker when they have already learned to stand. You can take some safety precautions to reduce the possibility of injury. These are-

• A baby should use a push walker with a limit
• (about ten times a day).
• Parents or elderly people should always supervise when the baby uses push walkers.
• The height of the push walker should be low as possible. So, a baby can safely push the toy and keep touching both feet on the floor.

Hopefully, you have got all your answers. If there's anything left, ask me in the comment section. Bye!