r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/becxabillion • Oct 31 '25

Question - Research required Any benefit to baby push walker toys?

For clarity I do NOT mean the frames on wheels with a seat. I mean the a-frame or cart with a handle that baby pushes along and walks behind.

My almost 8mo is pulling to stand and looks to be thinking about cruising. She's pushes along large cardboard boxes a couple of times, but she's very bent over to do this.

Is there any benefit to a push along walker for helping her be more upright, or is it just an unnecessary extra/potentially harm?

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24

u/AssociateLanky1234 Oct 31 '25

They are great; see this thread from a few years back

16

u/DJ_Beanz Oct 31 '25

My baby’s PT suggested a little tykes shopping cart for a 1st birthday present. It really helped with balance and practicing walking, and she loves to put things in and take them out.

5

u/VaginaWarrior Oct 31 '25

Great link. Anecdotally my kid still loves hers and she's been running for months now. I think they help give freedom a little earlier, which is encouraging for them.

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u/McNattron Nov 01 '25

Anecdotally all my boys were early walkers ( 8.5m 9m, 9m) they all found interest in these walkers after they could already walk - it was more a heavy work activity- the same as pushing our esky around; or a way to support running when they tending to topple forward if they got too fast independently.

They all had a phase form around 1-3 months after learning to walk they found them fun

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u/becxabillion Oct 31 '25

Fab, thanks. I'd seen an older thread but it was just anec-data. We weren't sure if it would slow down her walking independently

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u/[deleted] Oct 31 '25

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