Many parents look to baby gear options, like walkers, to keep their youngsters entertained and give Mom or Dad a quick break. When considering the best baby walker, there are two main types of baby walkers on the market, those with a seat where your baby's lower half is surrounded by seat and frame and those that encourage your baby to stand and walk behind the toy. Your choice depends largely on personal preference and your baby's age, size, and developmental level.
Best Baby Walker With Seat
Medical professionals suggest parents avoid baby walkers with seats as they can cause injury and don't help babies learn to walk. The American Academy of Pediatrics has even gone as far as recommending a ban on mobile baby walkers' production or sale, which is the kind with seats attached in the center. Nevertheless, they continue to be a favorite item for parent purchase. If you must have one in your home, check out these best walkers with seats.
Joovy Spoon Walker
The Joovy Spoon Walker, which retails for just under $100, is one of the best available walkers with seats on the market. It's lightweight, folds up for storage convenience, and has a tray that wraps entirely around your baby. This adds surface area for your baby's snacks and toys while adding additional safety elements. The walker will hold babies up to thirty pounds and can be adjusted to three varying heights.
LeapFrog Scout's 3-in-1 Get Up and Go Walker
LeapFrog has been a trusted brand for years regarding children's learning and development. The LeapFrog Scout's 3-in-1 Get Up and Go Walker starts as a baby gym, move to an activity pad, and finally transforms into a push-walker. This walker has thought about every possible activity or toy and included a ton. The only question will be which button or song to start with. It costs around $50.
Baby Walker Safety Tips
If you think a walker is the right baby gear choice for your family, follow these safety tips every time your little one uses either type of walker.
- Only allow use on a house's bottom story with no stairs or steps down.
- Keep your baby nearby or in an enclosed area using a play yard during use.
- Never use walkers near hot or heated surfaces.
- Don't use your walker outdoors or in areas with uneven surfaces.
- Remove any potentially dangerous objects from surfaces now within the baby's reach.
- Consider limiting time of use to 15 minutes.
- Use with babies who can sit up independently or stand up for push walkers.
- Recognize that push walkers will allow your baby to build up more speed than he or she is prepared for.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Baby walkers are one of the most hotly debated baby products on the market and are even sometimes considered to be a dangerous toy. That said, they can still add value to your baby and your life. Decide what works for you. Rating and reviews help decisions, but you are the ultimate pro when it comes to your baby.
