From the first days, a child learns everything new and unknown. He is interested in absolutely everything: movements, colors, objects, words. Skills are not only acquired, but also reinforced. Six months pass, and the baby sits up on his own, begins to crawl, and even stands up, holding on to mom or dad’s finger. You can’t leave him alone anymore, you have to constantly be nearby, look after him, control him. What about household chores: washing, cleaning, cooking?
A playpen and a crib are not a solution. Apart from loud outrage, nothing good is expected. The child does not intend to be left alone in a limited space, so he will persistently protest, showing with all his appearance and voice how much he needs communication. A special device on wheels will help solve the problem, which will allow the child to independently move around the apartment without outside help, simply pushing off with his feet.
Types of walkers
Walkers are like this:
- Classic, which have the simplest design without unnecessary elements and additional gadgets.
- Transformers. Such walkers can be a high chair, a rocking chair, or a swing. They are adjustable in height and width.
- Pushers. The design resembles a rolling toy that is placed in front of you. To start moving, the child needs to start pushing the device.
From what months can it be used?
Doctors believe that the best age for a baby to use a walker is six months. When choosing, it is necessary to take into account not only the age of the child, but also his physical health and psychological state.
It is important to adjust the height so that the child’s foot fully touches the floor
The level of strength of the musculoskeletal system is determined by the following characteristics:
- the ability to crawl quickly on all fours;
- stability when sitting on a hard surface without support;
- ability to stand up while holding onto support without outside assistance;
- manifestation of activity and interest in the surrounding space.
Features for boys
The main condition for the correct use of walkers for boys is to limit the time to 40 minutes. per day. This is due to the peculiarities of the physiological structure of men. With a long stay in cramped conditions, abrasions and diaper rash appear in the perineal area. Frequent compression of the genitals can cause problems in the formation of the genitourinary system.
Features for girls
If little girls are diagnosed with hip dysplasia, walkers will cause complications. If the child is healthy, you can use these devices, not forgetting that the girl will be a mother in the future and follow the rules for using walkers.
What to pay attention to when using
Recommendations for using walkers:
- It is necessary to make sure that the child is safely positioned in the walker and cannot climb out on his own or fall out when tilted.
- If the house has a cold floor, then it needs to be insulated, for example, using rugs or carpets.
- It is necessary to exclude contact of a child in a walker with sockets and switches located at a low level.
- The device can be used for a maximum of 40-60 minutes per day.
- The child's legs should be level with the entire foot on the floor.
- You should wear shoes with hard soles on your feet.
- Walkers need to be washed periodically and cleaned of dust, crumbs and other contaminants.
The best push walkers
Does your baby stand steadily in the crib and has already outgrown the sit-and-go walker? Then it’s time to buy a tolokar - a kind of cart with comfortable handles that the little one will hold on to while walking. Unlike the classic version, “walking” models are fully approved by pediatricians, as they contribute to the correct positioning of the little pedestrian’s feet, while at the same time protecting him from falls and promoting the development of coordination of movements.
Roller walker from Viga Toys – ergonomic developmental wheelchair
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
92%
buyers recommend this product
Colorful and comfortable wooden walkers will be an excellent assistant for a little pedestrian in his first steps. The interactive zone is an entire farm with a house, a labyrinth with pets, a ratchet windmill, a spinning sun-moon, and a curved axis with stringed beads. Even on the side panels there are interesting rotating gears. This device weighs only 3 kg.
Pros:
- Smooth, comfortable handle;
- There are large and smaller toys on the body;
- Dense high-quality plastic without foreign smell;
- Bright, but not poisonous colors;
- Excellent stability;
- Wheels with silicone lining.
Minuses:
- Poor quality batteries included.
The manufacturer recommends the toy for children aged 12 months and older, but the bright play panel will be great entertainment for a six-month-old child who can sit confidently.
Weina “Riding a Robot” – a walker-tolokar and a balance bike in one package
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
89%
buyers recommend this product
Stable and high-quality push walkers with an electronic play panel can easily and quickly transform into a comfortable wheelchair with a seat. For the safety of the baby, the wheels of the walker are equipped with stoppers. The gaming center is a cheerful robot with buttons, rattles, a telephone, sound and light signals. The product is made of durable, high-quality plastic and weighs only 3 kg.
Pros:
- Comfortable ergonomic handle;
- Bright and colorful design;
- Pleasant, unobtrusive melodies;
- The sound volume can be adjusted or turned off completely;
- Batteries included.
Minuses:
- Difficult to turn.
The product is recommended for children from 9 months. The toy develops fine motor skills and physical activity of the toddler.
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Walking walker with cubes from Hape Toys - an environmentally friendly and safe model
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
82%
buyers recommend this product
New from a German eco-brand. A unique trolley walker with blocks will not only help a baby from 12 months confidently take his first steps, but will also entertain him with educational games. The toy is made of wood and painted with hypoallergenic non-toxic paints. Product dimensions 35x28x40 cm, weight only 2 kg.
Pros:
- Ergonomic, thoughtful design;
- Comfortable durable handle;
- Rubberized wheels do not rattle or scratch the floor;
- A good construction set with cubes included;
- Safe rounded corners of the case;
- Light weight.
Minuses:
- Not particularly maneuverable.
With the help of eco-walkers from Hape Toys, the baby will not only master confident independent walking, but also get acquainted with colors, new shapes, and later learn how to build turrets and castles.
How to choose
The main parameters that are taken into account when choosing a walker:
- Base (stability, width).
- Wheels (material, number of them).
- Seat.
- Height (can be adjusted to suit the child’s height).
- Safety of use.
- Materials.
- Availability of a table.
- Compactness (the ability to fold and carry, transport).
- Additional features of walkers (music, light, development center, rocking chair, wheelchair, trampoline).
The benefits and harms of using the device
Walkers have both positive and negative properties. Let's look at this issue in more detail:
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Freeing up free time. | The baby has no sense of danger. |
| Expanding the area of examination by the baby. | Slow development of motor skills. Why try to walk when you can drive? |
| Demonstration of independence. | The process of standing on a full foot slows down (you can push off with your toes). |
| Free movement of the baby. | If the design is selected incorrectly, problems with the musculoskeletal system may occur. |
| Regular physical activity. | |
| Vertical movement helps develop intelligence and stabilizes the child’s emotional state. | |
| Safety. |
There are other restrictions under which the use of the product is undesirable. These include:
- colds;
- skin disease in areas of contact with the product material;
- orthopedic problems;
- neuralgia;
- not suitable for newborns (you need to wait until they are six months old).
Rating
| Nomination | Name | Prices, rub |
| The best wheelchair walkers (tolokar) | Happy Baby Junior | from 1840 to 2599 |
| The best classic walkers (with table) | Baby Care Pilot | from 2840 to 3086 |
| The best jumping walkers | La-Di-Da Blue Circus | from 3990 to 5677 |
| The best walkers - play complex | Chicco Walky Talky | from 6390 to 8000 |
| The best walkers - reins | Sportbaby Comfort | from 300 to 409 |
| Best inexpensive (cheap) walkers | Baby Care Pilot | from 2840 to 3086 |
| The best swing walkers | Selby BS-229 | from 2790 to 3807 |
The best wheelchair walkers (tolokar)
Happy Baby Junior
Advantages
- Easy to understand
- Lots of elements
- Bright
Flaws
- Lungs
- It's hard to roll
The best classic walkers (with table)
Baby Care Pilot
Advantages
- Sustainable
- Comfortable seat
- Bright colors
- Removable panel with toys and sound
- Quiet wheels
Flaws
- Difficult to adjust the height with a sitting child
The best jumping walkers
La-Di-Da Blue Circus
Advantages
- Sound
- Bright
- Baby can spin
- Sustainable
Flaws
- It is difficult to adjust the design to the height of the child
The best walkers - play complex
Chicco Walky Talky
Advantages
- Comfortable seating position
- Bright
- Height adjustment
- Bottle stand
- Toys are removable
Flaws
- Not very maneuverable
The best walkers - reins
Sportbaby Comfort
Advantages
- Soft
- Easy to put on
- Drop protection
Flaws
- Inconvenient controls
Best inexpensive (cheap) walkers
Baby Care Pilot
Advantages
- Sustainable
- Comfortable seat
- Bright colors
- Removable panel with toys and sound
- Quiet wheels
Flaws
- Difficult to adjust the height with a sitting child
The best swing walkers
Selby BS-229
Advantages
- Game bar
- Comfortable sitting
- Design
- Sustainable
Flaws
- Noisy wheels
Which baby walkers are best to buy?
Famous manufacturers of children's products take into account all the warnings of children's doctors and are constantly improving the design of their models. And since we are talking about a product intended for the youngest children, then safety is put at the forefront, and only then - various “entertainment” capabilities of the device and devices for the convenience of parents.
All baby walkers can be divided into several types:
- classic,
- transformers,
- Tolokars.
The first two types are essentially a plastic base with a seat that sits on an agile wheelbase. They are suitable for babies who have already learned to sit well.
Tolokar is a toy on wheels with a high handle, which the little one holds on to when walking. It is purchased for a child taking his first steps.
When choosing a model, you should start by checking the strength and safety of the product. The “little master” will definitely try the toy on his teeth or try to tear something off. Therefore, make sure that the plastic is durable and safe, that there is no chemical smell, and that all removable elements are securely fastened.
Pay attention to the folding designs - such walkers can be stored compactly in a cramped apartment.
The base of the walker should ideally be rectangular and wide. The round shape is considered to be less stable. The voluminous tabletop will provide additional protection for the little rider when moving. Measure the width of the doorways in advance - the walker should fit freely through them.
The stability and maneuverability of children's “transport” depends on the number of wheels. There should be at least 6 of them, and preferably 8 or more. Silicone wheels are considered the quietest and most harmless for flooring. It would be great if each of them is equipped with a stopper to hold the device in place.
A comfortable seat should be deep, roomy and have a hard orthopedic back. The best material for it is oilcloth with a fabric insert between the legs, which can be washed.
Equipping a walker with all the other bells and whistles such as seat belts, a parent handle or jumpers makes the device more interesting for the child, convenient for parents and at the same time increases its cost.
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