As a general guideline, it’s best to keep a 7-month-old out of a walker for the first year of life. Walkers can interfere with a baby’s natural development and can harm a baby’s musculoskeletal system.
While a walker may seem like a great way to promote mobility, it can actually hinder a baby’s development, as their muscles and coordination need to build up in order to learn how to walk on their own.
This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding walkers, which can provide an unstable and wobbly ride, preventing a baby’s feet from learning to balance as they are intended to.
Proper physical therapy and regular tummy time can help a baby at this age learn to move around without the need for a walker.
At what age baby should use walker?
The exact age at which a baby should start using a walker is not specifically defined. However, many medical experts generally agree that it is best to wait until the baby is at least 4-5 months old and can support their own head and body before introducing a walker.
At this age, the baby’s legs should also be strong enough to help them push the walker or support their body weight when their feet are on the ground. In addition to physical capabilities, it is important to ensure that the baby is developmentally ready to use the walker and can handle the motion and speed associated with it.
It is typically best to allow the baby to use the walker when they are able to actively interact with it and utilize the skills that the walker encourages.
How can I help my 7 month old walk?
Helping your 7-month-old take those first tentative steps towards walking can be a fun and exciting experience for both you and your little one. However, it’s important to remember that all babies develop differently and will reach milestones at their own pace.
With that in mind, there are some steps that you can take to give your 7-month-old a leg up.
The first step is to make sure that your child is physically ready for walking. This includes ensuring your child can stand and balance well on their own, usually with the aid of furniture or your hands.
These are steps your child will need to be able to do before they’re ready to walk on their own. If they’re not quite ready to stand just yet, try to encourage them by helping them with their balance, or try activities like pull-ups and tummy time.
Once your child is physically ready, it’s important to providing them with a safe space. Move sharp or fragile objects away from their area to avoid any hazards. It can also be helpful to create a walking path for them – perhaps you could place cushions in a line on the floor, leading to their favourite toy or book.
This will encourage them to take their first few steps, as they’ll be able to see the reward at the end.
When they’re finally brave enough to take a step, it’s important to stay close by and offer lots of support, encouragement and praise. Be sure to cheer them on if they successfully make it to the end of their walking path.
Finally, baby walkers have become very popular in recent years but it’s important to note that walkers can actually interfere with babies’ natural development. So, although there are some positives, it’s best to try other methods of helping guide your child to walk first.
In summary, to help your 7-month-old walk, you should ensure that they are physically ready, provide a safe space, create a walking path, give them lots of encouragement and praise, and avoid baby walkers.
How can you tell if baby is going to talk early?
It can be difficult to predict whether or not a baby will talk early as every child develops in their own way and at their own pace. Generally, early talkers follow a similar pattern, beginning to babble around 6-8 months and then beginning to form words around 12 months.
Other signs of an early talker include an interest in trying to imitate words, responding to their name, and beginning to follow simple instructions. If you notice these signs, then you may be able to tell if your baby is on track to becoming an early talker.
Additionally, you can talk, sing, and read frequently with your baby, as these activities can help to foster language development. It is also recommended that you avoid television and other screens when your baby is young, as these can interfere with language development.
Finally, if you have any concerns about your baby’s language development, it is always best to consult with your child’s pediatrician.
Why do babies walk late?
Babies learn to walk between 9-18 months of age, depending on the individual. Physical development is a major factor. Babies’ muscles need to be developed enough to support their body weight and activate the necessary muscles for walking.
Babies vary in terms of weight and relative strength, so some will be more prepared for walking than others.
Another factor is practice. Babies’ muscles will strengthen with practice by crawling, standing, and taking steps with assistance. Babies who practice more will likely walk sooner. Additionally, babies will become more comfortable with the idea of walking over time, so they may hesitate to take steps as they become uncertain of their surroundings or balance.
Some babies may walk late due to neurological issues or developmental delays. If a baby is not walking by 18 months old, it is recommended that their parents contact the pediatrician for an evaluation.
When should I be concerned about baby not walking?
If you are concerned that your baby is not walking by a certain age, it is important to consult with your doctor. Although there is some variability in when babies start to walk, most babies will take their first steps between 9 and 16 months of age.
Age alone should not be a cause for concern; every child reaches milestones at their own pace.
If your baby has not walked by 18 months, or if your child’s behavior is causing you to have a gut feeling that something is wrong, it is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss any potential developmental delays or issues.
Possible reasons for an infant not walking can include muscular or joint issues, sensory processing disorder, scoliosis, or conditions that cause low muscle tone, like Down syndrome. It is possible for babies to have a medical issue that causes a delay in walking, but most of the time, developmental delays are nothing to worry about.
In some cases, physical therapy can help to correct any issues that lead to not walking. Because it is possible to have a medical condition that can lead to walking delays, it is important to not assume anything and to make sure that you talk to a doctor if you are concerned.
How long after standing do babies walk?
Babies typically begin walking between 9 and 18 months of age, although every baby is unique and develops according to their own timeline. In general, most babies are able to stand up while supported between the ages of 6 and 8 months, which marks the beginning of the progression towards independent walking.
Though there is a wide range when it comes to the age that babies start walking, it is important to mention that this development is not something that happens overnight. Once a baby begins standing, he or she will likely take several weeks, or even months to gain more balance and coordination, practice and learn how to use their muscles correctly, and eventually be able to walk on their own.
To best help your baby during this process, it can be beneficial to provide safe floor space, encouraging toys and available supervision.
How long do babies cruise before they walk?
The age at which a baby starts to walk, or “cruise” as it is often called, can vary from baby to baby. Generally speaking, most babies will start to show signs of cruising, such as pulling up to stand and taking steps around furniture, between 8 and 10 months of age.
Some babies may not begin to cruise until 10 or 11 months and occasionally even later! While some babies may take their first steps as early as seven or eight months of age, these will usually be less than a handful and may not be sustained until they are older.
Despite this wide range of cruising ages, most babies will be walking independently by age 12-15 months. If a baby is not walking by this age, it is important to talk to your doctor so any underlying problems can be identified and addressed.
Ultimately, babies learn to walk at their own pace and developmental milestones should not be taken as the only measure for judging their progress.
At what age we can use walker for babies?
It is generally recommended that babies should not begin using a walker until they reach the age of 6 months or a little older. Prior to 6 months, babies lack the head control and muscle strength necessary to maintain balance and support their own body weight within a walker.
Even when babies are physically capable of using a walker, other milestones should be considered before introducing one. Babies should be able to sit up independently and have some level of head control and be starting to creep and crawl before using a walker.
The use of a baby walker should be avoided if a baby cannot yet hold their head steady when in a sitting position or support their own body weight when leaning forward with their wrists. Once babies are able to meet these physical requirements, a walker can be introduced as part of their normal mobility practice.
What happens if you put a baby in a walker too early?
Putting a baby in a walker too early can cause a range of developmental issues. Using a walker encourages the baby to use their legs for movement, but the baby’s brain is still developing, and their balance and coordination is not yet developed enough for the baby to operate safely in a walker.
Walking too early can also slow the development of infant motor skills and cause delays in development. When used before the baby is ready, a walker can increase the risk of the baby falling over and hitting objects, as well as give them access to items they can then pull down or swallow.
Babies in walkers can also be prone to accidents, such as running into objects or walls. Additionally, since the baby is strapped in and isolated, a walker can prevent them from further developing their physical skills (such as crawling and standing) which help with their development and becoming mobile.
Finally, physical activity is important for the baby’s overall development, and too much time in a walker can limit their opportunities for other physical activity.
Why baby walker is not recommended?
Baby walkers are not recommended as they are a potential safety hazard for infants and young children. Walkers can cause serious injury or death by providing a child with access to dangerous areas such as stairs, pools, and hot stoves.
An additional hazard is that walkers can cause babies to reach potentially dangerous items quicker than they are developmentally ready to do so. Walkers can also delay a baby’s development of walking skills, as they tend to decrease the motivation to physically move by themselves.
Along with physical risks, it has been suggested that the use of baby walkers can lead to delayed language and cognitive development as children are limited in their ability to interact with their natural environment.
Why do pediatricians say no walkers?
Pediatricians typically advise against walkers because of the potential dangers that they can pose to young children. Walkers provide added mobility for an infant before they are old enough to walk on their own, but there have been cases of children falling down stairs in walkers, suffering from head trauma, or even dying.
Additionally, physicians have found that the excessive reliance on these devices prevent babies from developing their gross motor skills and may delay their ability to walk. Walkers also do not provide enough of a challenge to children in terms of balance, coordination and body control.
Finally, they can create an environment that is not stimulating or interesting to the child and may even lead to prolonged periods of sitting in the same position.
What are the disadvantages of baby walker?
Baby walkers have become increasingly popular and convenient for parents, but there are several potential disadvantages that parents need to consider before purchasing one.
First, walkers can be a safety hazard. Because they are mobile, babies can move quickly and can knock over objects or worse, fall down the stairs. There have been numerous reports of babies getting injured while using baby walkers and in some cases, even dying.
Therefore, parents should ensure that walkers are only used under their direct supervision.
Additionally, walkers can put strain on the baby’s developing bones and joints. Babies who use walkers spend less time on the floor, which reduces their opportunities to strengthen their muscles by crawling, climbing and sitting unassisted.
This could potentially lead to an increased risk of falls, delayed motor development, and even delayed language and social development.
Finally, baby walkers can actually delay walking. While walkers are often thought to help babies learn to walk, numerous studies have shown that moving assisted by a walker does not provide any advantage to the natural development process.
Instead, babies should spend time seated on the floor or crawling, as this will help them develop the necessary strength and balance to eventually walk without assistance.
Overall, while baby walkers can be a convenient way to keep babies entertained, they do not provide the same stimulation they would get if they were to play on their own and can potentially be a safety hazard.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and ensure that walkers are used under constant adult supervision.
Do baby walkers strengthen legs?
Baby walkers are not the best choice when it comes to strengthening a baby’s legs. While they may appear to provide support and exercise to an infant, baby walkers can actually impede their physical progress.
Compare a baby in a walker to one who is barefoot and just starting to take steps; the barefoot baby needs to use their leg muscles to balance, while the walker provides an external apparatus to support and propel them.
Without being forced to use their own muscles to balance and maneuver, babies in walkers do not experience the same strengthening benefits as those who do not use them.
Beyond that, walkers can be dangerous. They can quickly move down stairs and over sharp surfaces, putting a baby in serious danger. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommended the use of baby walkers.
If parents are looking for safe, effective ways to strengthen their baby’s legs, there are much more effective alternatives. It is beneficial for babies to practice standing and cruising early on, and parents can encourage these activities in a variety of ways.
An appropriate playmat or blanket can provide an area to practice standing. Parents can also help guide and support their baby when standing or taking steps. Bare feet are best to practice stepping and support stronger muscles, but if proper shoes need to be worn outside, they should be soft and flexible.
Finally, regularly changing the activities of the day will help stimulate the muscles in the legs and learn to coordinate the development that takes place.
Do baby walkers affect development?
Yes, baby walkers can affect a baby’s development, particularly if used for extended periods of time in the very beginning stages of development. Baby walkers are designed to help babies gain their footing and take their first steps during a crucial stage of physical and cognitive development.
While the device is a welcomed aid for many parents who are eager to see their babies take those first wobbly steps, experts warn that this type of movement should be limited and only considered as a last resort.
The hazard associated with baby walkers is that they give babies the ability to move faster and farther than their bodies are designed to cope with, which may cause the baby to miss out on important developmental milestones.
Reports show that babies that start using baby walkers too soon may begin standing and walking earlier, however they sometimes don’t learn proper balance and timing skills, as they are not having to use their core muscles to self-adjust.
This can delay the development of normal walking patterns, as they put more strain on their leg muscles and don’t develop the full range of motion in the hip and lower leg. Additionally, research has shown that babies who use a baby walker within the first year of life may have delays in both their gross and fine motor development.
Ultimately, the use of a baby walker should be a carefully considered decision and properly monitored if it is to be used at all. It is important for parents to recognize that their babies are better crafting skill and movements on their own, and that a baby walker should only be used occasionally as a short-term aid, never as a replacement for supervised floor play and active learning.
