What Are The Benefits of Baby Walkers and Push Toys?

Are there any benefits for your child of using a baby walker? The first year of a baby’s life is the most important one when it comes to developing the many skills that they will need in life and learning new things. One of the most important things that an infant learns in that all important first year is how to crawl and then walk. Most parents are keen to do all they can to encourage their baby’s mobility and an infant’s first steps are a time for celebration and joy. Some of the most popular toys that parents get to help their little ones improve their walking skills and balance are baby walkers and push toys. There is a wide variety of these toys available in the shops, so it is important that you take the time to choose the right walker for your child. Do you want one that your infant sits in and, if so, do you want the walker to be a moveable one or stationary and do you want it to have an activity centre incorporated in it? Or do you want a one that your young child can push around, but not sit in, like the traditional wooden wagons or push along activity centres? There are also lots of simple push toys in fun shapes like animals or insects that you can choose for your child.

The kinds of baby walkers that a baby sits in and which allows them to move around the room are very popular with parents, but are they good for your child? This type of baby walker has been subject to a lot of debate, and before purchasing one you need to check that it meets all of the current safety standards and that it is always used under strict supervision. There have been a lot of babies that have been injured using sit in baby walkers, as they can move with astonishing speed, reach objects that they could not get at before and potentially fall down steps or bump themselves on door frames and furniture. You can now get ones that have special brakes or gripping mechanisms that activate if part of the walker goes off the ground, and that also have safety friction strips fitted that stops it from skidding. Most baby walkers are also now made with bases that are too wide to fit through an average doorframe, so that your infant is confined to one room, but also check how stable the base is as you do not want it to topple over and injure your precious baby. With small babies learning to walk you cannot be too careful, so if you are putting your baby in a walker make sure that you are watching them all of the time, that there are no fragile or sharp objects that can be knocked over or grabbed by small fingers, and that there is adequate protection from the walker toppling your infant into a fire, against a hot oven or into a pond, filled bath or tub of hot water. It is also very helpful if it can fold down flat, so that it is easier for you to store away.

It has also been questioned as to whether baby walkers do actually help your infant when they are learning to walk. They should never be used before the age of six months or before a baby can sit up independently, as putting your infant in a walker before this could potentially lead to posture problems when they are older. There has also been research that shows that putting your child in one for long periods of time can cause problems with the development of their leg muscles and hip joints, so it is wise to restrict the time your baby is in a walker to around 15-20 minutes a session. To address these concerns, toy manufacturers are now producing stationary baby walkers which do not move across the floor, but allow your infant to rock, bounce or spin when in the walker. Most of these also come with activity centres to keep your little one well entertained. The activity centre should comprise of toys and activities that help your baby to develop their motor skills and hand to eye co-ordination, start them off learning their colours, letters and numbers and if there are components that make lots of noise or plays tunes then that just adds to the fun. Again check that your stationary walker has a wide and stable base and has a height adjustment feature that allows for your baby to grow.

You can also get a wide range of push along baby walkers. These are toys that have a handle that lets your child push it around the room. These toys encourage your baby to walk more and also they help them with their balance and their confidence in walking. You can choose from traditional wooden push along toddler wagons that can come with blocks or other toys, and can be used by your infant to push their teddies or dolls around the room. Or there is a great range that have activity centres with entertaining toys, lights and sound effects. These are most often made from plastic and are in bright and cheerful colours that are very attractive to young children. They are easy to wipe clean and provide hours of fun for your little one.

Push Toys

Much simpler than baby walkers, but just as much fun for your little one is a push toy. These are toys that have wheels and a handle to push them along. They also help your toddler with their balance and encourage mobility, and can be in the shape of animals, birds, caterpillars, trucks or can have a roller containing musical chimes that turns and plays music when it is pushed

Finding the Best Baby Walkers and Push Toys

One of the very best places to find a huge selection of baby walkers and push toys is online. Amazon has a great range, including the big brand names like Vtech, Fisher Price and Melissa & Doug, so go and have a look today. Baby walker toys make great gifts at Christmas or for early birthdays, and there is a baby walker or push toy available in every price range.

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