Baby Walkers

Once your baby has mastered the art of crawling, the next challenge is walking.  There are several toys  and devices available to help your little one make progress towards those first steps.  It can get exhausting leaning over and assisting your toddler all day.  Baby walkers  make moving around possible for a baby who's normally stuck on all fours. While some parents and parenting experts think walkers aren't safe for babies, other parents swear by them.  Read on to decide what is best for your child.

Types of Walkers
Infant Walkers  Your baby can sit inside it and the stability and wheels can take him/her on an adventure! Many come with toys  and mirrors  on them.	Toddler Walkers  Your toddler can hold on to the back and propel him/herself all around the room. Designed as car,  trucks,  etc.	2-in-1 Baby Walker  Transitions from a stable activity center to a mobile walker. May save you from purchasing another piece of baby gear.

Safety Features

Keep in mind that if you aren't extremely vigilant, baby walkers can be a dangerous thing. There are certain characteristics your walker should have to maximize safety.

• Gripping mechanisms will stop the walker at the edge of a step to prevent baby from taking a nasty spill. Most walker accidents occur from falling down stairs, so unless you don't have them, this feature is a must.
• Look for an Extra Wide Base for maximum stability and to keep your baby from going through doorways unsupervised.
• Brakes come in very handy for immobilizing your baby. If your child is too young to start moving, or you want to keep him or her stationary, brakes are a must.
• If you don't feel your child will be safe on a wheeled activity center,  get a stationary center. 

Other Features

• Adjustable Height Baby Walker -- Without it, shorter babies will have difficulty reaching the floor and taller babies will be uncomfortable. Height adjustments allow the walker to grow with your baby.
• Baby Walker with Lights, Sounds and Toys  -- To keep your baby entertained (especially during stationary play).
• Baby Walker with Padded, Easy-to-Clean seats  -- As with any baby product, look for something that will be both comfortable and easy to maintain.
• Fold Down Baby Walker  -- This is a must for easy storage and portability.
• Baby Walker with Cup Holders  -- To safely hold your child's beverage.

Added Safety Tips

• Make sure your home is baby proof to avoid accidents as best you can.
• Keep a close eye out when your little one's in the walker. These devices do not take the place of adult supervision.
• Use the walker downstairs to avoid nasty spills.
• Check recall lists and customer comments before purchasing.

Bottom Line?

A wide range of costs, between $40 and $150. 

Top Manufacturers

• Kolcraft 
• Baby Trend 
• Graco 

Related Products
Baby Swings Buying Guide for keeping them quiet and help them nap	Playards Buying Guide for maxing out their fun	Toys and Games Buying Guide for your babies and kids	Strollers Buying Guide to get you an your baby out on the town	Babyproofing and Home Safety Buying Guide to stop those accidents from happening

External Links

• Keep Kids Healthy -- FAQs about walker safety.
• Baby Love To Know -- A wiki guide to walker safety.
• About.com -- The pros and cons of walkers by a pediatrician.
• iVillage -- Additional safety information.