VTech First Steps Baby Walker

Product Information

With textured wheels, an easy grip handle and a durable design, this sturdy baby walker from VTech gives your baby all the support they need to take their first steps. The top rated baby walkers on our list can get pretty expensive. If you're not willing to max out your credit cards on a fancy walker, and you can't find any random gift cards left over from your baby shower, then there are some excellent cheap options like the VTech Sit to Stand. Just like with all of our articles, as we receive and test additional baby gear, we will continue to update this list throughout the year. We hope our hard work pays off, and helps you find the perfect baby walker for your situation!

We recommend the VTech First Steps Baby Walker as the best push-along baby walker for your child. Thousands of happy parents report that this walker is both great quality and excellent value for money and has proved a useful walking aid for their children. In the past few years, several improvements have been made to increase the safety of sit-in baby walkers. Most models now include lower rails that (in theory) will catch on a stair edge and use friction to stop the walker's momentum before a disaster happens. Think of it like a super low-rider car: any little pot-hole and you will be scraping the bottom of your car when your tire drops into the hole. New baby walkers operate on the same principle, using bottom-edge friction to slow the walker down and bring it to a stop when a wheel drops off any ledge over about half an inch deep. This safety feature reduces the risk of your baby careening down the stairs, off a ledge, or into a pool. Baby walkers hinder or, in severe cases, prevent the child from crawling and keep the child in an upright position which interferes with the natural brain development of the child. The safety of seated baby walkers is up for debate in the childcare community. In 2007, baby walkers were banned in Canada due to reported and potential dangers, and childminders in the UK have been told by the National Childminding Association not to use them.Due to the injury risk, pediatricians have repeatedly called for their ban in the United States, and Canada banned baby walkers entirely in 2014. To ensure safety, make sure the baby walker is JPMA certified and exceeds ASTM testing standards, and always use it in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Mindful of the problems that encouraging ‘toe walking’ can bring, the manufacturer recommends this sit-in walker is only used by children who can put their feet flat on the floor. Physiotherapists have also warned the use of baby walkers could actually hinder a child's ability to learn to walk and the NHS recommends they are only used for up to 20 minutes at a time. Regarding the stairs test, we only subjected the Joovy and Safety 1st models to that test. It made us really nervous when we tried it, but it was worth it for our peace of mind. Overall we found that the Joovy performed a bit better than the Safety 1st in the edge-of-stairs test, presumably due to the configuration of the Joovy base and its nice anti-slip surface on the bottom rails. Of course it's just one test and your situation might differ, so always watch your baby carefully and make sure your home is safe before using any baby walker. While the new walker safety features are great, they do not guarantee safety in all situations. Finally, consider the footprint of the baby walker. Most do not fold up and will take up space in your home. What is the best baby walker?

However, in a seated baby walker, babies lose opportunities to learn important movement and perception skills such as distance and depth, and key concepts such as in or out and on or under. However a sit-on walker can be lots of fun and can give babies their first taste of independence and help to reduce frustration. Just remember to use them no longer than 20 minutes at a time, as recommended by the NHS, and always under close supervision. What month should a baby start using a walker? Some will be on their feet from as early as eight months whereas others are happy to sit and crawl until 18 months. As discussed, it’s not a good idea to buy a sit-in baby walker for your baby and a push-along walker is a better option.

How we chose our recommendations

Another highlight is the detachability of the activity panel so your baby can play with it anywhere – even when laid on their best play mat if they're not quite up to walking yet. Push-along walkers are a great way for your baby to strengthen their leg muscles and work on their coordination skills in preparation for walking unaided. Do baby walkers help with development? We have been reviewing baby walkers for over 10 years, and if we made our own version, here is what it would look like:

This walker adjusts to three different heights, meaning it can grow with your child. Safety features include no-tip safety pads and speed-restricting wheels to give parents peace of mind. Also included are a removable walkie-talkie and number pad, light-up piano keys, a turning book and manipulative beads and cogs.Before we recommend new products, we always ask our trusted Mumsnet users, of which there are more than 7 million each month. That’s a lot of honest, impartial advice. Expert guidance

The front panel is covered in an array of fun music and sensory activities to keep your baby stimulated and there’s also a handy storage tray to keep the accompanying accessories in one place. There’s lots of exciting activities, cheerful music and friendly phrases to introduce your little one to numbers, shapes, animals and colours, with the removable role-play phone a particular highlight. The walker comes in both multicolour and pink to suit your little one’s personality, and we think it's one of the best toys for a 9-month-old.

What are the benefits of a baby walker?

A baby walker helps to give your little one a sense of independence. The toys and activity centres that come with baby walkers help with mental and visual development. As well as being lots of fun to play with! How do you choose a baby walker? The lower age limit for baby walkers varies from six months up to 12 months. However, as with all things to do with babies, there is no definitive answer as to when your child can use a walker as all infants develop in their own time. I can tell you that the best baby walker is one that prioritizes safety, durability, and versatility. Based on my analysis of the market, the Joovy Spoon Walker meets these criteria and is the top choice for parents." -ChatGPT-4 We’re not in the business of shaming toys, but if you feel your house is getting overwhelmed by mountains of plastic then how about a nice wooden alternative?