Our Mac Pac: Who needs a walker...

...when you have chairs, laundry baskets, BOB, and high chairs?? Landon likes to use his imagination when it comes to "walkers" around our house. This is exactly how we wanted it. If you really want to see Shani squirm then bring up walkers in her presence.

Why you may ask? No, it isn't that they are considered unsafe because they can tip over or kids can go falling down the stairs in them (yes, this is a good reason not to like them too), but chiropractically speaking they are no good. Structural and neurological development is to happen in a certain order for motor and mental development. Kids should lay and get some tummy time to strengthen their neck, then start to roll over, then sit, then crawl, then stand, then creep along objects while holding on, then walk...on their own. Babies progress through these steps at different rates depending on their own development. The curves of the spine are developed through each of these stages as well. The cervical curve (neck) is developed during crawling, the lumbar curve (lower back) when walking. When walkers are used when babies should be on the floor crawling, it forces them to be upright and stresses the spine and hips before the joints are ready. Babies also learn to walk improperly in walkers because they don't see their feet or where they are "walking" since the large trays are in the way. Babies also learn to walk leaning forward too much, which makes it harder for them learn to walk properly. Are you still reading? Okay, Shani is done ranting...

Anyway, what else has been going on with Landon? He's been spending a lot of time at the park, especially with Daddy. He loves crawling after all the other kids. He usually is the youngest one actually playing around there, but not the smallest! Lately the slide has been his new favorite thing. We think it started after playing on it so much with his buddy Parker (who is 4.5 months older and probably 2 lbs lighter). It's quite cute to see him know to turn and go down backwards on his belly.