Jessica Sapel

Parents can be overwhelmed with the number of baby toys available these days. Baby walkers are advertised as a safe way for a baby to develop motor skills, specifically standing and walking. Many babies enjoy being upright and mobile, and when used appropriately, a walker can help your baby with these skills. However, when a walker is not used appropriately, it can hinder rather than help your baby's development.  

Spending time pulling to stand at a couch or coffee table, cruising and learning to let go to step between these objects are extremely important for achieving developmental milestones. An alternative to a baby walker is to help your child learn to use a push toy.  By using a push toy, your child will learn these skills while also allowing them to be upright and mobile before they are ready to be independent walkers.  

Below are some other factors to consider of baby walkers and push toys:

Baby  walkers:

• Can encourage leaning forward when walking, toe walking, or turning feet in
• Can discourage independence and safety awareness due to being surrounded by support
• Allows motor behavior before other areas of development are ready (safety, cause and effect)
• Can cause damage to ligaments in hips, knees, and ankles if child is dangling and not fully supporting weight through legs
• Can delay independent walking

Push toy:

• Builds strength in trunk, arms, and legs
• Encourages safety awareness by holding onto toy
• Prevents damage to ligaments; child must be completely weight bearing through both legs
• Teaches problem solving, such as backing up and turning around
• Improves balance
• Encourages appropriate foot/arch development

If you have questions about how your child is learning to walk, or what the best toys to learn might be, feel free to contact a physical therapist at Child and Family Development.