Parents are often tempted to let their young children use a baby walker. These walkers are designed to help babies move around before they can
walk. They can also help keep them entertained and busy.
But can baby walkers affect your baby’s
safety and
development? Here’s what you need to know.
Are walkers bad for babies?
Baby walkers are not the best choice for your child. Their risks far outweigh any plus points.
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Safety experts and health professionals strongly discourage the use of baby walkers. They are banned from sale in some countries, such as Canada
(AAP 2022).
They are not recommended for use in Australia.
Why are walkers bad for babies?
There are two main reasons they are thought to be a risk to a child’s safety and their development.
Baby walkers and your child’s safety
Walkers are a
safety risk for your baby. The most common baby walker accident involves the child falling down the
stairs while in the walker
(Sims et al 2018). Others include them tipping over, and the baby
falling out. This can happen when walker wheels get caught on cords, rugs or door thresholds
(Sims et al 2018).
These accidents often cause head and neck injuries or broken bones
(Sims et al 2018), and have been known to be fatal.
Bumps can happen because using a baby walker helps the child move around faster than they would. If left alone, babies can get into danger much more quickly.
Using a baby walker allows a child to
reach higher. In a walker, they may be able to pull a cloth off the table and spill hot drinks, or grab pot handles on the stove and
burn themselves. They may also be able to reach things you think are placd out of reach, like
toxic chemicals, or dangling cords that could lead to them being strangled.
Baby walkers and your child’s development
Some parents think using a baby walker will help their child learn to
walk quicker. But studies show this is not true. In fact, babies who use walkers score lower on movement tests than children who do not use them
(Schecter et al 2019).
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Baby walkers can also have an impact on a developing baby’s gait and posture
(Schecter et al 2019). One study found a link between using a baby walker and ‘toe walking’. This is when a child walks on their tippy toes instead of using their
whole foot (Krivova et al 2018).
What to use instead of a baby walker
Your baby will be better off having floor time, supervised by you, in a
room that’s clear of hazards. They need to learn to
roll,
crawl,
sit and play on the floor to reach their
developmental milestones.
If you need to keep your child out of the way for a few minutes, one option is to place them in their
highchair. You could also try using a
playpen.
What to know if you choose to buy a baby walker
If you do choose to buy a baby walker, there are a few things to be aware of.
When you’re buying a walker
- Look for a walker that has brakes, to stop it rolling downstairs.
- Check that it latches when folded, and that it cannot collapse when in use.
- Make sure there are no sharp edges, or places that your baby’s fingers can get caught.
- Make sure your baby fits into it as they should.
(ACCC 2023)
When your baby is using their walker
If you do use a baby walker, make sure you follow these tips to keep your baby safer:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always stay with your child when they’re in the walker. They need to be in reach of an adult at all times.
- Don’t leave your baby in the walker for longer than 15 minutes at a time. Any longer can lead to delays with learning to walk.
- Make sure the walker is only ever used on flat even floors.
- Block all access to stairs and steps, kitchens, fireplaces and heaters. Keep hazards well out of reach.
- Do not place items on the walker. Doing so could make it tip over.
(ACCC 2023)
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