Stationary Activity Center vs Walkers

[Ms Savvy Mom]

My son just turned 6 months and is ready to stand upright with the help of a stationary activity center or walker. I haven't seen many that have any real form or function other than your usual primary colored plastic circus of crap. Can anyone suggest a stylish model that will grow with my child and not look like a tacky rainbow threw up in my living room? What make or model has worked for you?

[Anci]

well..it depends I think..I remember my sister had a walker and now she's 22 and she walks just fine LOL WE have a walker and my daughter loves it, she loves being able to move around...we used for a few weeks and she walks just fine with it but the only downside - I noticed that if she uses it too much she won't stand by herself anymore, she gets used to the walker because she has some support in there, so I stopped using it.
I think it depends how much time it is used...I think half an hour or so every day won't so any harm...

[Drea Adgent]

exsosaucer triple fun. Love it. You can put him in, and he's entertained in a full circle. Then later when he's pulling up, you change it to the next stage, an S shaped stand that still has toys all around it.

[aahaft]

I don't like toys that overtake my living room however, with twins that doesn't say much. They both love the evenflo exersaucer that actually folds, although pretty big, so when we have guests we store it in the closet. Otherwise there is the graco jumper that you hand in a door frame. My five year old loved it and he started jumping at 6 months and it's small and easy to put away. However, you will need a doorway with mouldings. My PT said that as long as the children are able to put their feet flat on the floor and they're not in it for long periods of time it's ok. I like when they're not on the floor and the babies like being on their big brothers level.

[Zicea Becks]

I've always had both a walker and the stationary play center.

let's be honest, the walker basically buys you a few seconds before the baby rolls off away from you...or attempts to pull the drapes down.

I never used a walker with the intentions of it actually teaching my kid how to walk. It just gives them the concept...you have to actually take time to 'teach' them.

personally, ALL baby toys are tacky rainbow puke. Sometimes I go into the kid's playroom and think "d*mn toys!"..they all look the same after a while.

[Suzanne Chan]

at first I was against walkers but one day at a baby store I just let her play with one in the store and she just loved it. I wasn't too sure about it, but upon inspection I saw they had added many safety features. I have to say she had countless hours of fun in the walker. It was especially great when I needed to do something without her attached to my hip and she was able to run about to her hearts content. I got this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Chicco-DJ-Baby-Walker-Safari/dp/B000MAIUQY

As for discouraging walking, she was running by 1 years old.

[trixila]

My kid's occupational therapist pretty much slammed these devices too. Said that they hamper normal development with lower limbs, etc. I was very sad to hear that, b/c I thought they were great. Perhaps everything in moderation. But use caution if your child is showing any developmental delays.

[Hetty]

Both of them are a bad idea. If you do a little research, you'll find at least one recent study that says the stationary activity center retards the development of eye/foot coordination. And walkers are just plain dangerous. (I'm surprised they are still sold at all in the U.S.) If you really love your child, take the time to HOLD HIM UPRIGHT when he wants to stand up. Yes, it can be a pain when it seems like you are doing this every five seconds (I just got finished doing this with twins!!!) but really, it's the best way. Forget the activity center and PLEASE do not use a walker.

[Audrey]

Exersaucers are safer because the baby can't get away and get hurt. Do not get a traditional walker, they are actually being outlawed in Canada because of so many babies falling down stairs. Babies learn to walk without anything but your help. Most exersaucers/activity centers are tacky colors, but your baby will like it. Just remember even if it clashes with your living room it wil only be there a few months. Good luck!

[Jenn]

I think they are all tacky and bright unfortunately.

But I do recommend the Jumparoo because you get the fun of a regular activity center, with the added bonus of bouncing! My DD and my Nephew love it.. And just think .. in 6 months you can donate it to a friend or hide it in the basement!

[aussiemum21]

Some people think that walkers are unsafe and some people dont, I personally beleive that if you have one then just dont use it for too long at a time, as you dont want them to get too used to it. I used this one:-
http://www.amazon.com/Chicco-Little-Driver-Baby-Walker/dp/B000MADQVI
I loved it and so did my son, it came into great help when I needed to do something but had to keep him occupied too! As I said I wouldnt leave them in for too long at a time as some doctors will say that it can cause bow legs as they develop.
My friend had a stationary play centre that I used for my son when we where at her house and he also loved that too, they are a fair bit bigger than a walker and so in some cases you may need to dismantle it after use if you dont have the space to keep it up, which can be a pain, when you need to find something for your baby quickly - the chicco walkers fold down flat too and you just pull it up when you need it, - heaps more space saving.
This is the activity centre that my friend had one similar to this one:-
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Safety-1st-Farmyard-2-in-1-Activity-Centre_W...

Hope this helps!