The best baby walkers
Baby Walkers – Buying Guide, Opinions and Analysis in 2022
Babies go through many stages throughout their development. One of them is learning to walk and then taking the appropriate strength to do it safely. So, the mission of the parents is to provide the resources so that they can achieve it in a comfortable way. One of the most used options today are walkers. These can be found made of a variety of materials and are pleasant to use, especially since most of them have entertainment options that attract the attention of the little ones even more. One of the most outstanding models in this category is the Chicco First Musical Steps, a product with a two-in-one design that has the function of a walker and also an activity center, keeping your baby entertained for a long time. On the other hand, there is the Innovaciones MS 428, a traditional walker that has brakes and 3 seat heights for greater comfort of use.
Opinions on the best baby walkers
If you want to buy the best walker for your baby and thus help him strengthen his motor skills, we suggest you review the products recommended by users for their functional designs, features, and benefits for the development of your little one.
Chicco walker
Chicco Musical First Steps
Chicco presents this model that has been rated as the best value for money baby walker by a good number of users. This is due, first of all, to the fact that it has been made of shock-resistant plastic so that children can use it as they prefer. However, an aluminum frame has also been incorporated to help maintain the proper shape and support the entire rollator.
Also, it is a very attractive product due to the number of lights and sounds that have been included, arousing the interest of babies from a very young age. For this reason, it does not only work as a walker but also incorporates an activity center, both electronic and mechanical, to improve learning.
The Chicco walker also has volume control, a variety of colors, shapes to play and some other functions.
There is no doubt that Chicco is a manufacturer recognized for its great variety and quality of children’s products, so it is not surprising that it is rated by many parents as the best brand of baby walkers that is available on the market today.
Pros
Wheel lock: The walker incorporates the possibility of locking the wheels when the child is in a fixed place just playing.
Melodies: The activity table has different melodies to keep the baby entertained for longer.
2 in 1: It has the possibility of being used in two ways: as a walker or as an activity center.
Price: Its cost is affordable for users with different budgets, allowing its acquisition without affecting the family budget.
Cons
Height: The height of the walker is 38 cm, being much lower than most models available on the market.
rollator with wheels
MS 428 Innovations
Preserving a traditional design, this product is different from all those that we will present in this comparison. It is a walker with lower wheels where the child can move with the help of his feet and the support provided by the support tray.
The structure is made of plastic. However, it has a padded upholstery that can be removed to wash it without major setbacks.
The tray includes some activities for the entertainment of the little ones while they have the walker in use. For example, a piano with varied melodies and colors. It also features a variety of mechanical games to improve motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
As for the seat, it is adjustable in three heights and has a comfortable backrest. All these characteristics count positively when it comes to knowing which is the best baby walker with a classic design, if that is what you prefer.
So if you are still not sure which baby walker to buy, studying the following list of pros and cons can help you clear the picture around this specific model, so we invite you to continue reading.
Pros
Brakes: The product has built-in 8 brake devices to keep the baby’s safety at a high level.
Unisex: The colors used combine the neutrality of beige with white for a unisex design.
Dimensions: Its measurements of 80 x 63 x 55 cm are suitable for the size of a large number of children.
Cons
Seat adjustment: Although it is included, the difference between the lowest and highest level is just 2 cm, according to one user.
Assembly: Some users agree that it is necessary to invest more time than planned in the assembly, especially in the brake covers.
Fisher-Price walker
Fisher Price Talking Zebra
With dimensions of 46 x 10 x 40 cm, this walker has the most suitable height for children who are just beginning to walk, providing comfort in use and safety when grasping the handle. In addition, it is worth noting that it is one of the cheapest in our selection.
Its activity center helps develop motor skills, both fine and gross, while offering advances in sensory development.
In the same way, it has various games, both electronic and mechanical, so that children are distracted for a long time while they strengthen their legs walking from one place to another.
As for the assembly, this can be done in a practical way, only with the support of a screwdriver and the four screws attached in the package. In this way, the Fisher Price walker can be put into operation in a very short time after receiving it.
And if you are interested in consulting one of the cheapest models of those presented in this comparison, you can not help but see the pros and cons that we have found in this Fisher Price model.
Pros
Design: The walker comes with a zebra-shaped design that is very pleasant for children to use.
Book: The activity table includes a one-page book that can be passed from one place to another to explore and enjoy the sounds.
Stable: The entire walker has a fairly efficient stability that helps the child feel more confident.
Cons
Brakes: The wheels do not include any type of brakes that allow them to be stopped at certain times.
Batteries: For the electronic functions to be carried out properly, it is necessary to use the toy with two AA batteries that you must purchase separately.
Vtech rollator
Vtech 2-in-1 Andandin Ride-On
The Vtech 2-in-1 Andandín ride-on owes its name due to its multifunctional utility, since your baby can use it as a play center or walker thanks to the fact that it is removable.
It measures 46 x 45 x 33.3 centimeters with a light weight of 2.92 kilograms so that you can easily lift it off the ground when you want to change its place. It has a folding structure that manages to compact the walker to store it in the car or under the bed, for example.
In addition, it should be noted that the Vtech walker has lights and a speaker capable of playing different melodies and these can be activated by a motion detection sensor when the child pushes the walker.
Aesthetically it is quite striking as it is equipped with a wide variety of interactive toys that include buttons, a telephone, gears, animated characters and more. It also presents intense colors to more easily capture the attention of the little one and amuse him.
Vtech products for children often offer multiple benefits, and your walker model is no exception:
Pros
Foldable: The structure of the walker is foldable, helping to easily handle and store it.
Interactive: It has a wide variety of interactive toys and buttons for the child’s entertainment.
Speed: It has a brake that regulates the speed at which the walker can be pushed.
Modes: You can use it as a game panel with the child sitting or as a support when he begins to walk.
Cons
Assembly: Keep in mind that it requires assembly and the pieces must be integrated under pressure.
infant walker
Bright Starts Walker and Giggling Activity Center
If your intention is to acquire a children’s walker with a slightly more standard design, you can consider this alternative from the Bright Starts brand.
The Giggling model walker is made up of a seat integrated into a base responsible for supporting the child’s weight, in order to help him take his first steps and strengthen his limbs. You can adjust its height on several levels, as well as fold it for storage.
As for its size, the walker has dimensions of 71.1 x 63.5 x 50.8 centimeters, being large enough to be used between 6 months and the 1st year of the baby’s life. Added to this, it weighs just 2.22 kilograms, allowing you to lift it effortlessly to take it wherever you need.
To entertain the baby, a couple of hooks have been integrated at each end where you can hang toys, in addition to letting him play with the interactive bar with rings that comes mounted on the walker.
If you want to both entertain and encourage your little one to get up, we advise you to evaluate this option from Bright Starts:
Pros
Design: The Giggling model is designed with intense and striking colors for the baby.
Adjustable: The walker has a mechanism that will allow you to adjust its height in 3 different levels.
Legs: Its legs are equipped with non-slip rubber to offer greater stability when moving.
Hooks: It has two hooks where you can hang one of your little one’s favorite toys.
Cons
Width: Having a considerable width, it can be uncomfortable to pass with it through the frames of some doors.
Jané walker
Jané Auto Sport
Jané offers you a particular, eye-catching walker that could become your baby’s favorite toy.
The Auto Sport model, as its name suggests, simulates a small sports car where your little one can sit down to play and learn to walk. In the front part you will find an interactive panel typical of a car, since it has a steering wheel, a gear lever and 4 rotating balls as buttons.
The size of this walker is 70 x 28 x 68 centimeters, offering a comfortable space to seat the baby, as well as a weight of 4 kilograms for ease of use and maneuverability.
Evaluating the seat, it stands out that it has a fabric covering and padding, both designed to guarantee a good level of comfort when using the walker in order to further stimulate the child to begin to strengthen their limbs or feed their curiosity.
With the Jané brand walker your little one will not only have fun, but will also get support for their first steps:
Pros
Design: Jané offers you an attractive walker for your baby with a car design that includes a steering wheel and wheels.
Interactive: It has interactive games, such as levers, spinning balls and even playing melodies.
Padded: The seat has a thick padded backrest for greater comfort.
Adjustable: You can adjust the height of the seat, as well as fold it in case you want to store it.
Cons
Adjustments: The regulation mechanism can be a bit cumbersome to use, but it is reliable and safe.
How to choose the best baby walker?
Seeing your baby get up for the first time can be a great emotion for you, since it indicates that the moment of his first steps is approaching. In these cases, the purchase of a walker that helps him develop the strength of his legs in a convenient way is, although optional, a way to encourage him to begin to move freely, increasing his safety and encouraging him to walk on his own. In this sense, when buying a product of this type you should consider some points, which we will explain below.
Shopping guide
Price
Many people may think that price is not important. However, it is something that should always be taken into account when buying a product. This is due not only to the budget that each user may have, but also to the value for money that the product may have.
That is why the first thing we advise you to find out is how much the product costs, determining if it is within your budget or not and if its characteristics are sufficient to make an investment of that size.
Design
There are different types of walkers on the market, so you should pay attention to the design. Some options have seats, making it easy for the child to rest anytime he feels tired from walking around the house. This property can be beneficial for his development, allowing him to decide when to continue and when to just sit and watch.
On the other hand, there are walkers without a seat, which work by being pushed by the infant. These also have their qualities, since you should not install your baby inside its structure, but it is up to him to use it freely, being able to leave it when he is tired or bored.
Stability
Being a product to learn to walk, the walker you choose must have stability. Remember that your son will be in a vulnerable stage of her life, so he will need a place to recharge and have freedom of movement. For this reason, we recommend checking the materials and the structure of the walker well to verify that it is robust and resistant, and that it will offer stability for the first steps of your little one.
wheels and brakes
Wheels and walkers go hand in hand, this being the means by which your child can move. However, we recommend that you make a comparison of baby walkers according to their type of wheels, to determine which is the best option for you. As a general rule, plastic wheels are quite noisy, as opposed to silicone wheels that tend to reduce the noise of the product, select the one that best suits your needs.
Another aspect to check is the brakes. As a safety measure, many walkers incorporate the use of brakes or wheel blockers to prevent accidents, so you should see if the model you want to buy has them. So you can keep your child in place when you need it.
Activities Center
To support your baby’s development, most walkers feature a brightly colored activity center. This feature helps increase the charm of the product, inviting your little one to play and have fun.
In this sense, you should consider what type of activity center you like the most. Some of the functions that you can find are: moving parts, sound and music, which will make your little one have a fun time full of learning.
Similarly, you should know that the cheaper the walker, the less of these fun things for children may incorporate.
Seat
It is important that you opt for a walker with a seat that you can adjust according to the height of your child. This can improve the comfort of the infant when using it, since you can adapt it as he grows. There are different options on the market with padded seats for greater comfort and many of them incorporate printed designs that are very colorful and increase the attractiveness of the walker.
Cleaning
In a guide to buy the best baby walker, cleaning could not be missing. Keep in mind that cleanliness is fundamental in all the elements that have to do with your baby, so it is better that you decide to buy easy-to-wash items, this will help you to keep your baby clean and not suffer from stains on your baby. walker. Choose plastic or cloth products that have removable covers, to improve cleaning.
Size and weight
Size is a key element for rollators, mainly for two reasons, the space available and the ease of handling. The available space will depend on how your house is and if it has enough space for the baby to move easily or, on the contrary, it is small and you must have a walker that takes up less space. And the ease of handling, for its part, will allow your child to move freely without much problem.
Likewise, the product cannot be so light as to remove stability, nor so heavy as to impede movement.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: Who invented the baby walker?
The exact information of who was the creator of this baby equipment is not handled with certainty, since its use began approximately between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. What can be taken into account is that they have evolved extensively, which suggests that their usefulness, up to this time, has not been lost.
Q2: Which is better, walker or ride-on?
Being two elements different from each other, they cannot be compared objectively. This is mainly due to the fact that walkers are elements that are used to promote the muscular development of infants, which can help them maintain an upright position and learn to walk with greater ease and ease, while ride-ons are mostly elements dedicated to children. that already have the ability to move, serving as a base to improve stability and provide support.
However, both products can be used by babies who do not yet know how to walk, and it is recommended that both ride-ons and walkers be kept under strict adult supervision.
Q3: Is it advisable to buy a walker and activity center?
Currently, most walkers incorporate an activity center, which makes them versatile products due to their two-in-one design. Likewise, other baby products have been given the task of integrating these activity centers, in such a way that it is much more attractive for both parents and children.
However, an activity center can be a good option for parents who do not want to include walkers in their children’s lives or who choose to use them before the indicated time for their use, so their individual purchase can be very appropriate..
Also, consider that an individual activity center can serve to distract your baby in those moments that you cannot keep him moving around your house.
Q4: When can my baby use the walker?
As a general rule, the walker can begin to be used from 7 to 10 months of age, this being estimated by both the parents and the child’s pediatricians according to their condition.
However, great care must be taken regarding its use, since a good number of accidents have been reported due to the irresponsible use of this product for babies. It is best to keep the infant under close adult supervision while using the walker.
Q5: Is there a relationship between the walker and hip dysplasia?
No, there is no relationship between hip dysplasia and the use of a walker. Despite this, the use of walkers in very young children is not recommended, as this could cause damage to their development by forcing them to remain upright for a long time.
Q6: How long to use the walker?
The walker is a tool that many parents use to distract their children and encourage muscle development. However, there comes a time when it must be set aside, depending on the development of the infant.
As for the appropriate age to leave it, there is no established date, this being the decision of each parent. What is recommended is not to continue using it after the child learns to walk or when his weight does not allow him to use it any longer.
Q7: How to disassemble a baby walker?
You must keep in mind that each walker is different from each other, so we cannot refer to a standard disassembly for all walkers. It is recommended that when you buy one, you keep its instruction manual and you can visualize its disassembly correctly.
Another option that can be useful to you is to use online tutorials. In them, you will be able to visualize the proper way to do the work you want.
Q8: How to make a cloth baby walker?
Fabric walkers or baby straps are alternative elements that you can use at home without any problem. Commercially, there are some items of this type, which have supports for the upper part of your baby’s legs.
However, you can quickly make a fabric walker at home by using a soft, medium-flex garment and wrapping it around your little one’s arms. You must bear in mind that you will have to exert force to maintain your balance and that a walker of this type cannot be used independently.
Q9: How to wash the walker?
The cleanliness of the walker should be something you do constantly, because there are many bacteria that can adhere and to avoid the presence of stains. In this sense, most walkers with fabric seats allow the fabric to be removed from the support, improving the washing process.
Likewise, plastic areas can be disinfected with the use of a non-toxic disinfectant, you can use vinegar or a solution of water with baking soda, and a damp cloth.
Q10: Which is better, walker or walker?
These two terms are often confused and, to a certain extent, used as synonyms, which confuses many users. However, and in general, walkers are used for the child to practice their walking skills, while the walker is an element of distraction.
That is why neither of these two tools can be compared, although their use may be similar.
Q11: How to change the mode of a rocking walker?
The change of mode of a rocking walker can be done easily and quickly, favoring that the infant can use his own strength to move around. The correct way to do this is by releasing or repositioning the fabric barrier that is incorporated into the feet of the walker to prevent the little one from placing their feet on the floor. In this way, the child will be able to jump on said support, but will not be able to move around the area.
This function is suitable for children who can sit up and that parents want to keep in one place without the risk of falling or accidents.
How to use a baby walker
The use of baby products must be carried out with responsibility and care, since mishandling could trigger events that endanger the integrity of the infant. Parents are very concerned about this, so we’ve set out to create some thoughtful usage tips to improve the process.
check the package
Once you have the product at home, the first thing we recommend is that you check the package, both outside and inside. The external review must be carried out to ensure that it was not damaged during its transfer. While the internal review is based more on counting the pieces, reviewing their status and arranging all their content in a suitable place for later use.
read the instructions
Many people pretend to know how to assemble baby products themselves and this is a mistake. It’s best to take the time to read the instructions, find the necessary tools for assembly, and check to see if all the pieces and hardware are in place before you venture into the installation.
If the instructions are not clear enough, you can search the Internet for tutorials that will help you complete the task much more easily.
Consider safety and cleanliness
When you have finished assembling it, you should carefully inspect each part of the product. This is done to find possible mistakes or damage that could be dangerous for your baby. Measure the risks and establish where you will be able to use the walker in the best way to keep it in that area.
Likewise, we recommend that you properly clean the product before the first use, as it may contain an odor or other elements that may affect your little one. Wash your covers, if you have them, with a neutral product. At the same time, clean its surface with a little vinegar water to remove any microbes or bacteria.
try the product
If it is one of those walkers with music and sounds, it is best that you take a moment to test that everything works correctly. Also, check the batteries, write down what type they are and calculate approximately how long it will take to change them, so you can be prepared at any time and prevent your little one from running out of his distraction.
install your child
Once all the previous process has been completed, the time has come to test the product with your baby. Consider that it will take some time for your little one to get used to its use, so you should not pressure or despair. Place him inside the walker and allow him to get acquainted with it. Of course, do not stray too far, remember that this type of product must be used under the strict supervision of an adult, to avoid accidents.
It is also essential that you take the time to play a little with your little one in the walker, as this will help him feel more secure and learn to use it more quickly.
What does physiotherapy think about the use of walkers in babies?
We already know that the use of baby walkers has caused controversy in the last 20 years between parents, manufacturers and childcare societies. Now, today we will analyze what physiotherapy, conceived as the science of treatment through: physical means, therapeutic exercise, massage therapy and electrotherapy according to the WHO, thinks about the use of these devices.
Respect the baby’s processes
According to physiotherapist Lorena Gutiérrez, a specialist in Women’s and Baby’s Health, the use of a walker is not beneficial for children because it alters the phase of routine movement in the child.
This process refers to the voluntary skills that the baby develops after birth to learn to control their movements, many of which gradually disappear to make way for new progress.
You should know that with the use of the walker the baby is forced to adopt a position for which he is not prepared and the movement that the little one must make in the walker is not the same that he will need to move when walking.
Therefore, many of the visual, auditory and balance stimuli that the child needs to reach the walking stage on their own are limited.
The walker is an obstacle
It is totally disadvantageous for the baby to skip stages of his motor development, since many of these end in physical deformations and cognitive delays, since the little one needs to develop his physical resistance by himself and learn to handle gravity to achieve bipedalism, that is to say, the position of standing upright and standing on both feet.
Before being able to walk, the baby needs to achieve four-point support, which is the same as crawling. Later, she develops the necessary balance to lean on two points.
Later, the baby already has the security and muscular strength to do the supported knight position, that is, to place one foot on the floor with the other knee flexed. Finally, the little one will be able to get up and reach the standing position with support.
For this entire process, the stimuli and movements that the little one is achieving month after month are essential, such as turning, followed by crawling, crawling, being able to sit up by himself, squatting, among others. But, if you confine him to a certain age to use the walker, you would be placing an obstacle to follow his natural evolution.
Now, to clearly understand the negative implications that the use of walkers can generate in children, we are going to mention the main consequences:
- Flat feet: This is caused by the little contact that the baby’s foot has with the ground.
- Deformations in the legs: Due to the prolonged separation of the legs in the non-ergonomic seat of the walkers.
- Deformities in the spine: To rest, the baby rests on the seat with his legs crossed and his back curved. If this position is prolonged for a long time, it can lead to deformations.
Alternatives to the us
