Walkers have long been the most common method for increasing physical activity in babies. However, there is no consensus among pediatricians about the age of a child suitable for using a walker, however, as well as about the benefits of using them.
Walker action
With the help of a walker on wheels, the child can independently move around the apartment without the participation of adults, which allows parents to free their hands for a while and do other things. At the same time, the baby pushes off the floor with his legs, which develops his ability to walk and vertical position, and also strengthens the muscles of the legs. The optimal age for using a walker is considered to be 7-8 months, at which children can already sit on their own, confidently hold their heads and stand with support.
At the age of 7-8 months, the child needs to actively move, as his musculoskeletal system continues to form.
There is an opinion that a long stay in a walker negatively affects a child's ability to crawl, and it is crawling that strengthens the muscular apparatus of the back, which is necessary for the correct biomechanics of walking. In addition, constant walking with support can negatively affect the first steps of the child, who is simply afraid to make the first movements on their own without support. Also, being in a walker incorrectly distributes body weight on the pelvic bones and the spine in the absence of complete resting of the feet on the floor, as a result of which a curvature of the spinal column or displacement of the vertebrae may develop. Often there are also such consequences of walking in a walker as clubfoot, flat feet, or the habit of walking on toes.
Pros of walkers
The advantage of the walker can be attributed to the fact that finding the child in an upright position accelerates not only his physical, but also mental development. With the help of independent movement, the baby discovers the world around him, expanding his horizons and learning more and more new objects. At this time, a young mother can rest a little, pay attention to herself and restore physical and mental strength.
Also, walking in a walker stimulates the development of intelligence and coordination of the baby - due to the ability to turn in different directions, look around and approach objects of interest, the child receives more information and trains his vestibular apparatus. Active movements cause positive emotions in children and an improvement in blood circulation, which has a beneficial effect on the entire body and accelerates the processes of its development.
When using a walker, the baby must be supervised as it does not guarantee complete safety.
