Brief Answer:
Suggestions on baby walker - no issue of bow legs - but safety concerns me

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic by a direct query.

Definitely there is no issue about bow legs if baby walker is used in less than 1 year old kid. But safety concerns do exist and I will discuss in detail as you have requested.

Your kid is aged just 6 months and I certainly feel there are certain issues with a use of baby walker in an infant (less than 1 year old). In the course of our discussion we will come to a consensus on to use or not to use.

An infant walker, or baby walker, consists of a wheeled base supporting a rigid frame that holds a fabric seat with leg openings and usually a plastic tray. The device is designed to support a pre-ambulatory infant, with feet on the floor, and to allow mobility while the infant is learning to walk. Some walkers are equipped with bouncing mechanisms, activity toys, or locking devices that keep them from moving, and some fold flat for storage.

Issues -
1. Babies learn to do their motor activities partly by watching and understanding how their hands and feet move in response to a brain command. The best example is a baby seeing intently the movement of palm and fingers and enjoying it. In a walker, the infant can't see the movement of the legs.
2. Development should always be in a pattern - for example the head control is achieved before a baby roles over - this has been created by nature to prevent injury to neck during rolling over. But, a walker allows baby to move around before they are physically ready for it.
3. The walker provides a baby an unusual height - for example pulling a table cloth with hot food or milk or water and spillage/ electrical plug holes/ speed which the baby will be unaccustomed to at that age.
4. Babies who use baby walkers might: Trip and fall over / Roll down stairs / Trap a finger / reach for a dangerous object.
5. Adult supervision also cannot be relied on to prevent infant walker-related injuries. Moving at more than 3 feet/sec, an infant can be across the room before an adult has time to react.
I suggest you not to use a baby walker for safety purposes and it has also been scientifically proven that using a walker will not hasten the development of a kid. I personally did not use baby walker for my kid for the above stated reasons.

If you or your family insist on using a walker, these are the tips I suggest for your baby's safety -
1. Keep outside doors locked at all times, even when you are at home.
2. Put corner /edge bumpers on sharp edges of furniture such as tables/ cots.
3. Fasten heavy objects such as TVs, lamps, or stereo equipment to the wall so the baby doesn't accidentally knock them over.
4. Keep plants out of children's reach.
5. Cover unused electrical outlets with plastic caps.
6. Keep wiring or phone cords out of children's reach.
7. Do not use tablecloths that a child can pull down.
8. Store cleaning products and all other poisonous chemicals in a high cupboard out of a child's reach.
9. Keep hot drinks out of reach of your child. When handling hot liquids or foods, check to see where your child is BEFORE you pick up the tea kettle or pan.
10. Put baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs / forbidden rooms or areas.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

---

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on mouthing habit and baby walker

Detailed Answer:
Hi... I understand your concern.

These are my suggestions for the issues -

1. You can put him in the walker (with stringent supervision) for 1-2 hours per day.

2. To prevent putting his toes and fingers in the mouth you need not put him in the walker. You can just put a glove like wrapping with soft cotton cloth around his hands and feet (at the wrist and ankle joints), so that he will not be able to do this.

3. His feeding seems to be appropriate.

Hereafter for any query you can contact with a direct query and I myself will answer within minutes. Thank for your trust in me.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

---