Walkers?

[Palooka]

Never purchased a walker, but my son managed to convert whatever he could into a walker. He spent months pushing around little stools and the dining room chairs (thankfully we have pads on the bottom of all the furniture because we're in an apartment), as well as any bucket or waste paper basket he could find. So if you want something specifically for him it's definitely sweet, but don't worry--he will probably improvise.

[MsGiggles]

Originally Posted by jenn.mcc Never purchased a walker, but my son managed to convert whatever he could into a walker. He spent months pushing around little stools and the dining room chairs (thankfully we have pads on the bottom of all the furniture because we're in an apartment), as well as any bucket or waste paper basket he could find. So if you want something specifically for him it's definitely sweet, but don't worry--he will probably improvise.

I agree with the bolded: upside-down laundry baskets stuffed underneath with towels (or heavier items if you need to slow them down) is a great way to help them learn without spending $. It's also a great way to get REALLY frustrated after you've folded a few loads of laundry & your cutie dumps it to 'practice walking.' my fault, I know....

[marenmccoy]

We have the ikea one and ds keeps his alphabet blocks in it. When he was learning to walk we did have to help him steer a lot, but he loved it then and still uses it now at 3 quite a bit.

[CaliRoll]

ETA: Nvm, wrong kind of walker. LOL

[Saraf]

Originally Posted by MarchMama2010 We have this one, DS used it starting at about 8 months - he was walking on his own at 10 - and still plays with it at almost 3 years old. DD started using it at 6 months and is still playing with it at 15 months.

This one looks good. Price makes me think though.

[Saraf]

Originally Posted by MsGiggles I agree with the bolded: upside-down laundry baskets stuffed underneath with towels (or heavier items if you need to slow them down) is a great way to help them learn without spending $. It's also a great way to get REALLY frustrated after you've folded a few loads of laundry & your cutie dumps it to 'practice walking.' my fault, I know....

I love improvisation! These are very good suggestions. Thank you! .

[HugeBabyBoy]

DS began Moving all the furniture around the house... Chairs down the hallway, kids table moved all around, etc. so, to save the floors we got an activity walker that turns into a wagon. It's a plastic one from TRU... he loves it.

[IrrationalThoughts]

Honestly, i wouldn't spend the money unless you really wanted something cute. Bought my son a walker - he seemed really into it at the store, it plays music. He doesn't use it as a walker. But empty boxes, the ottoman, coffee table and chairs? Absolutely. He kicks the walker out of the way so he can push other things. He does sit with it and plays the music.

[cmarsh31]

Someone bought my son one as a gift, but he went from being completely immobile to walking independently (at 9 months) without crawling/creeping/etc. By 11 months he was standing on it trying to use it as a scooter. Big fail. DD was a peanut and couldn't see over the handle (plus she was too lightweight to actually maneuver it).

The traditional ride-in walkers though - huge success. We lived in a tiny ranch with all hardwood floors - DS flew around the house in joy all the time (again, DD could barely reach the floor in it until she was already mobile on her own).

[jcarter]

I second the improvisation. DD (10 months) uses a wicker baskets from Target that we put her toys in in the living room. It slides well on the hardwood floor and is heavy enough not to tip over. Bonus, she has figured out how to steer it! She'll bump into something, yell, and then back it up and turn. Pretty cute!