Baby walkers & jumpers: what you need to know
What Is a baby walker?
A baby walker is a wheeled frame with a seat that lets babies move around before they can walk on their own. Some parents think walkers help babies learn to walk, but that’s actually not true. Walkers can be unsafe and may even slow down your baby’s walking development.
What is an exercise jumper?
An exercise jumper – sometimes called a jolly jumper or baby bouncer – is a seat attached to springs or elastic. It can hang from a door frame or come with its own stand. Just like walkers, jumpers can lead to accidents and may delay important movement skills.
How do babies learn to walk?
Babies go through a series of exciting milestones before they take their first steps:
- Rolling over
- Sitting up
- Crawling, creeping, or scooting
- Pulling up to stand
- Moving along furniture (cruising)
To reach these milestones, babies need plenty of floor time to practice their movements.
Why walkers & jumpers aren’t helpful
While they might seem fun, walkers and jumpers actually take time away from the floor play that helps babies build strength and coordination. Here’s how they can slow development:
- Encourages toe-walking – Babies in walkers and jumpers tend to push off with their toes, which can tighten their leg muscles and make it harder for them to walk naturally.
- Delays balance skills – Babies need to learn how to balance by sitting and pulling themselves up. Walkers and jumpers don’t help with this.
- Less crawling time – Crawling is important for building strength in the pelvis and shoulders. Using a walker or jumper means less time for these key movements.
To help your little one learn to walk, let them spend plenty of time playing on the floor it’s the best way for them to develop the skills they need to take those exciting first steps.
