Walking the Line: Pros and Cons of Baby Walkers

This blog post is going to touch on the topic of baby walkers. I think this is somewhat of a controversial topic and something that I think all of us have perhaps considered at one time or another.

I genuinely think that the reason why we consider this is maybe because our babies look like they’re struggling, and we’re willing to do literally anything to help them move around more freely. Or, and let’s be honest, sometimes we just want a break, and we need a straightforward way to allow our baby to entertain themselves that doesn’t require our immediate and undivided attention.

Enter the baby walker. Baby walkers were known as early as the 15th century in Europe. An illumination in the Hours of Catherine of Cleves, a Dutch manuscript from that time, depicts the infant Jesus in a wooden baby walker (I got this from Wikipedia, I’m a mom of two toddlers, give me a break).

I, too, was a baby walker kid. I think most of us millennials were. Look, we’re fine, right? Or are we? I think sometimes it’s great that we have so much information literally at our fingertips now, so we are easily able to make more informed decisions for our kids.

So let’s jump in, should we? Are they good or bad?

What Is a Baby Walker

Let’s start with the basics. When we talk about a baby walker, we’re referring to the common wheeled device designed for older babies who haven’t started walking independently just yet. Most baby walkers are circular or oval in shape, with a wide plastic base fitted with wheels, and a soft fabric seat that suspends your baby in a semi-upright position. Some models include an activity tray at tummy level, full of lights, sounds, and buttons, to keep little ones happily distracted while they cruise around the house.

The idea is that babies can sit in the walker with their feet touching the ground and use their legs to push themselves around. Because the frame provides support, the walker gives the illusion of walking, even though the baby isn’t quite there developmentally.

Baby walkers are marketed as tools to help babies learn to walk by encouraging leg movement and giving them the freedom to move independently. They're usually introduced between 6 and 12 months, once a baby has good head and trunk control but isn’t walking solo, yet.

Here’s where it gets interesting, and important for parents to know. Several studies have found that baby walkers don’t actually help babies learn to walk faster. In fact, research suggests they may delay walking skills because babies don’t get the chance to practise standing and cruising with proper balance and posture. A 2002 study found that infants who used walkers sat, crawled, and walked later than those who didn’t.

That said, not all walkers are the same, and how they’re used makes a big difference, as with many baby gadgets, context, supervision, and developmental readiness are important

Benefits of Baby Walkers: Do They Really Help?

1. Baby walkers are great for entertaining and stimulating your baby, as I mentioned, sometimes we need a break. I mean, it takes almost no effort on the caregiver’s part, and they’re being stimulated!
   

2. They’re also amazing at encouraging early exploration, which is one of the Montessori principles (great system, different blog post).
   

3. Again, it gives caregivers a hands-free activity to do with a baby, great for dinner cooking or taking a quick break.

Cons of Baby Walkers: What Parents Should Be Aware Of

1. The safety of it. Leaving a baby unattended in a baby walker poses some serious safety risks, which we're going to get into in a sec, but in summary, the main safety risks include: tipping, falling (down stairs or into pools), and bumping into things that can injure a baby. Now I know we all like to say that we constantly watch our babies, but it’s hard, and anything is possible if you take your eyes off of them just for a few seconds to run to the loo.
   

2. Believe it or not, baby walkers can actually delay milestones and learning to walk.
   

3. There isn’t really any evidence to support that baby walkers actually help babies learn to walk faster.

How Baby Walkers Affect Baby Development

As I’m sure you’ve heard, baby walkers may cause some developmental delays, but is this true?

Some research has found a connection between the use of a baby walker and the motor development of your baby. These studies found that babies who used a walker were 3 times more likely not to crawl than those who did not use a baby walker. Remember, crawling is incredibly important for linking the right side of the brain with the left. Something that really helps with hand-eye coordination later on in life.

Another study found they possibly delay walking by at least two weeks. This being said, how long the walker is used at a time makes a huge difference. For every 24 hours your baby spends in a baby walker, they may learn to walk three days later and to stand four days later than they would have. 

It has also been reported that babies who used a walker took longer to develop their walking style and walking posture. Poor posture and walking habits can cause issues like knock knees and flat feet, which have numerous long-term implications for your baby when they are older.

Baby Walker Dangers and Safety Guidelines for Parents

According to one study, an estimated 230,676 children under the age of 15 months were treated for baby walker–related injuries in emergency departments in the United States from 1990 to 2014. 90.6% of these children sustained head or neck injuries, and 74.1% were injured by falling down the stairs in a baby walker. Among the babies who were admitted to the hospital, 37.8% had a skull fracture.

These are some scary numbers.

So, how do we keep our children in walkers safe?

• Only use the walker on flat, stable surfaces. Try to avoid paved or outside areas when your baby is in the walker.
  

• Make sure you have baby locking gates, like this one, at the top and bottom of all stairs.
  

• Make sure you remove all dangerous objects from the area where your baby is walking. These could include loose, heavy objects, or sharp objects.
  

• Never leave your baby to walk around unattended in their walker.
  

• Consider using something such as a push toy instead.

The Best Alternatives to Baby Walkers for Motor Development and Safety

Thankfully, there are plenty of safer and more developmentally supportive alternatives to baby walkers, and many of them are simple and backed by evidence.

Let’s start with the most important one: tummy time. (A topic that deserves its own full post, for sure!) In short, tummy time lays the foundation for every major motor milestone. It helps babies build strength in their neck, shoulders, arms, and core — the exact muscles they’ll need to roll, sit, crawl, and eventually walk. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend daily tummy time from the newborn stage as part of healthy motor development. It may not look like much at first, but over time, those mini push-ups on the mat lead to big things.

Another excellent alternative is caregiver-assisted walking. Which is when you gently hold your baby’s hands or support them under the arms as they practise taking steps. This encourages proper balance and coordination without relying on a device to hold them up. Unlike a walker, which positions the baby unnaturally and allows movement without true control, assisted walking helps babies understand how their body moves in space.

Push toys (sometimes called baby walking aids or push walkers) are also a safer option, especially once your baby can pull themselves to stand. These toys give babies something to hold onto as they practise taking steps, but they don’t lock them into a seated position. Just make sure it’s sturdy, doesn’t tip easily, and is used under supervision on a flat surface.

Of course, none of these options offer the same hands-free convenience as a traditional walker, and I get it, sometimes you just need a minute to make tea or pee in peace. But when it comes to your baby’s safety and long-term development, these options offer far more benefits without the risks.

At the end of the day, the choice is entirely yours. Most babies will learn to walk, whether or not they use a baby walker. What matters most is that you're informed and confident in your decision.

Take time to weigh up the pros and cons, and don’t hesitate to chat to your paediatrician, physiotherapist, or even your baby’s crèche teacher if you’re unsure. Asking questions means you’re doing your homework, which is what great parents do.

Whether you decide to use a walker or skip it, just remember you’re showing up, you’re thinking it through, and that already makes you an amazing parent. Keep going, you’ve got this.