As an infant physical therapist, parents often ask what products will best support their little one’s growth and development. There are so many baby products to choose from these days, it can often feel overwhelming. Two common items that are brought up are push walkers and sit-in walkers, and specifically, is one better than the other? While both may seem beneficial at first glance, they differ significantly in how they affect a baby’s motor development. Let’s explore why many physical therapists, including myself, typically do not recommend sit-in walkers.

First of all, what is a sit-in walker? 

A sit-in walker consists of a base on wheels with a suspended seat in the center where the baby sits. The baby's feet touch the floor, allowing them to scoot around. While it might seem that sit-in walkers encourage walking, they can actually impede proper developmental milestones in several ways… Poor Postural Development: Sit-in walkers hold babies in an upright position before they are developmentally ready to stand or walk. This premature positioning can lead to poor postural habits and inadequate development of the core muscles necessary for stable walking. Inappropriate Weight Distribution: In sit-in walkers, babies tend to push off with their toes rather than their whole foot, leading to an unnatural gait pattern. This toe-walking can affect muscle and joint development and potentially lead to walking issues. Delayed Motor Skills: Research shows that by providing excessive support, sit-in walkers can actually delay the natural process of learning to crawl, stand, and walk and babies who use them tend to walk later than those who don’t. These developmental stages are crucial as each step builds on the previous one to enhance motor skills, balance, and coordination. Safety Concerns: There is also an increased risk of accidents with sit-in walkers. Babies can move quickly and reach higher, potentially leading to falls or collisions with objects and furniture. In fact, sit-in walkers are banned in Canada due to these safety concerns. 

What is a push walker? 

A push walker is a device that a baby can stand behind and push around the room. Unlike sit-in walkers, push walkers require the child to pull themselves up to a standing position and balance while moving the walker. This offers several developmental benefits… Encourages Proper Motor Development: Push walkers support natural body alignment and encourage the use of the correct muscle groups needed for walking. They require the baby to balance and adjust their body, which strengthens core muscles and coordination. Supports Gradual Learning: Babies can use push walkers at their own pace, promoting gradual learning and confidence in their ability to move independently. This also allows them to explore safely within their limits. Enhances Problem Solving: Using a push walker requires a baby to navigate their environment, which can enhance spatial awareness and problem-solving skills as they maneuver around obstacles.

While push walkers can be a helpful tool when used appropriately and at the right stage of development, it's essential for them to be used under supervision and know that they are not a necessity for babies to learn how to walk.

Ultimately, unrestricted floor-based play is best for infant development as it promotes crawling, pulling up, and cruising, all of which are pivotal activities that support natural progression to walking. The right tools can also support your child’s development when used correctly. As a pediatric physical therapist, my goal is to ensure that parents are given the best information to make informed decisions about products they use with their children. Remember, each baby develops at their own pace, and fostering an environment that encourages natural growth is the best approach to ensuring they reach their developmental milestones safely and effectively.

Browse HERE to check out the push walkers I recommend!

**Remember - if you ever have questions or concerns about your baby’s development, contact a physical therapist near you for a consultation!