While there has been a persistent debate on their suitability, baby walkers are useful for entertainment and teaching babies to … Parents should also be aware that stationary activity centers are a good alternative to mobile walkers. Consumer Product Safety Commission. American Academy of Pediatrics. Still, we can't do without cribs and highchairs and we continue to work to make those products safer. The Safety Of Baby Walkers. They can slow mental and motor development. True walking, as well as crawling, requires the use of both the front and back leg muscles. Even the most attentive parent may take their eyes away from a child for such a short period of time. A baby in a walker can tumble down the stairs or roll into sharp edges. What’s more, the AAP urges parents to throw out any walkers they may already have (and that includes the one you received as a gift if you are unable to return/exchange it). , author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. Injuries Associated With Infant Walkers. Baby walkers do not help babies walk earlier. Sims A, Chounthirath T, et al. Reaching counter tops, shelves, stove tops, etc. Also, the child does not have to balance herself in a walker. No! But when left alone, your baby could take a “walk” in the walker. You might think that you could put your child in the walker and concentrate on your work. But are baby walkers safe? However, children should never be left alone, even when using a walker alternative. (2008), A 12-month-old who died after falling his baby walker tipped over into the family's backyard swimming pool, submerging his head and causing him to drown. (2006), A 7-month-old who died after his baby walker rolled down a driveway and was hit by a truck. Expertise. Children can fall out of walkers and get hurt — and have drowned when they scooted into a pool or spa. 3 September 1, 2001. pp. That walker you got — which probably looks like a mini table on wheels with a seat set inside the frame — is a serious safety hazard for your sweetie. Why so risky? Image taken by Mayte Torres / Getty Images. In their vote on whether or not to ban baby walkers, the CPSC stated that only one-third of injuries were 'more severe' than simple mild injuries and that was 'similar to that of other commonly used juvenile products, such as cribs, playpens, high chairs, and changing tables.'. children ages 4 and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year for baby walker-related injuries. The height and speed of a baby walker increases the chance of children: Reaching counter tops, shelves, stove tops, etc. In fact, it may delay your child's development. Are baby walkers safe?" And be sure that everyone who cares for your child knows about the dangers of walkers. (2004), A 10-month-old who died after pulling on an electrical cord which then pulled a slow cooker filled with hot water and cooking beans on top of him, causing deep scalding burns on 38% of his body. Baby walkers must also now comply with the ASTM infant walker standards and additional requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. While I have been a little torn in the past about agreeing with the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics for a "ban on the manufacture and sale of mobile infant walkers," I do now agree "because data indicate a considerable risk of major and minor injury and even death from the use of walkers, and because there is no clear benefit from their use. Walkers seem to be keeping the baby in “safe hands” but by placing your baby in a walker, you’re actually putting your baby in harm’s way. After the mandatory federal safety standard was implemented in 2010 the annual number of walker-related injuries decreased by 22.7 percent. The research is inconclusive, but there is some evidence that show that babies who spend too much time in play stations (or mobile walkers, baby seats, and swings) learn to crawl and walk at a slower pace than tots who roam free. A baby walker – a contraption with a suspended seat that sits on a wheeled frame – may seem like a great way to keep an on-the-move baby somewhat contained, while also giving them some practice on their feet. Remember, if you put your child in a swing or high chair, always buckle his or her seat belt. ", My twins used, enjoyed, and were never hurt in their mobile baby walkers. Stationary activity centers, Playpens, baby swings and high chairs are all great options. Pediatrics Vol. After all, babies who have plenty of practice being on all fours, pulling up to a stand, and exercising the brain and body muscles they need to balance on their two tiny feet are going to have a leg up when it comes to learning how to walk. She can burn herself by touching a hot oven or pot handle — being in a walker makes it easier for her to grab things you thought were safely beyond her reach. Check with your local toy store to find out more about these walker alternatives. The Importance of Having a Relationship With Your Child's Pediatrician, Questions to Ask When Choosing a Pediatrician, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology) Services, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Hematology, Oncology & Blood and Marrow Transplant, Preparing for a Primary Care or Clinic Visit, Partners For Kids: Pediatric Accountable Care, The location is currently closed. The questions and answers in this brochure are designed to help you, as a parent, to make healthy and safe choices for your children. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has called for a ban on baby walkers with wheels. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. That’s a question on most parents’ minds when their babies start learning to walk and are worried if the walker can roll over on a carpet. Whether a baby tips to the side or forward, the walker will catch her from falling. Bassinet vs. Crib: Which Is Better for My Baby? The height and speed of a baby walker increases the chance of children: The most common injuries are head injuries, followed by broken arms and legs. 790 -792. Baby walkers: a dangerous choice. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-4332, Sims A, Chounthirath T, Yang J, Hodges NL, Smith GA. No! Falling down stairs, into swimming pools, bathtubs and fireplaces. Safety standard for infant walkers: final rule. (2009), An 8-month-old who developed a subdural hematoma after falling and hitting her head (2013), A 15-month-old who developed a femur fracture after her leg got caught on something (2013), An 8-month-old who burned her thigh after pulling her mother's hot tea onto herself (2013), An 8-month-old who suffered a head injury after falling down at least 14 steps (2013), A 12-month-old who suffered a skull fracture after his baby walker flipped over (2013), An 8-month-old who suffered burns on her face, arms, and thighs after a pan of grease that her mother was carrying spilled on her (2014), Keep children away from hot surfaces and containers, Keep children away from toilets, swimming pools and other sources of water, American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement. Baby walkers lead to more than 2,000 emergency room visits per year despite the newer safety standards.. Editor's note: In general, baby walkers have gotten safer since the early 2000s, when the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission worked with manufacturers to develop better safety standards for these products. Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Also make sure that the baby walker has extra security features like wheel locks, seat straps, etc. (2007), A 12-month-old who died after she ingested some glass etching cream (a strong acid) that had fallen onto the tray of her baby walker. As a parent, you may have listened to a lot of contrasting info about child walkers, so you wonder whether it’s a good equipment to your baby or a hazardous one. In addition to falls down stairs and falls out of their baby walker, many infants are injured each year as their mobile baby walker makes them a little too mobile. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Our Global Patient Services team is here to help international and out-of-area families every step of the way. Research from a mother and grandmother and great- grandmother of 70 years! 2018;142(4):e20174332. If children are put in walkers, they do not have the chance to learn to crawl—an important step toward walking. And make sure that from non-toxic material and non-toxic paints. While in baby walkers, babies use the muscles in the back of their legs and walk on their tiptoes. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Get expert tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Access resources for you to use during your baby's hospital stay and at home. A mobile baby walker isn't necessary and is easily replaced with a stationary activity center. These injuries happen because baby walkers allow children to do things too soon. I agree that they should be banned and that parents shouldn't buy them while they continue to be sold. (2001), An 11-month-old who died after he fell down the stairs leading to his home's basement. Between 1990 and 2003, baby walker injuries decreased by 84.5%, as voluntary safety standards were instituted, and more families started to buy standers that didn’t move. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. (2003), An 11-month-old who died after he stood up in his baby walker and pulled a heavy chair back on top of him, hitting his head and snapping his head backward and causing the walker to flip over. Federal Register. Baby walkers must also now comply with the ASTM infant walker standards and additional requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. For example, they may be able to reach countertops and get burned or poisoned by things they pull down, drown by falling into a pool, bathtub, or toilet, or simply hurt their fingers and toes if they get pinched. As we have seen, baby walkers have their own pros and cons and may often raise the question “are baby walkers safe?” As an alert parent, you will have to take care, so that the advantages can be driven home while the disadvantages can be avoided. (2002), A 10-month-old who died after he hit his head after falling out of his baby walker. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. Updated September 2018. The safest baby walker substitute is a stationary activity center, which doesn’t have wheels, and we found 7 options that have been tested for safety. To get right to the point, baby walkers are downright dangerous. The idea that walkers are “detrimental” to development is ludicris. A baby in a walker moves three feet per second. They Help mothers be able to get necessary task done while knowing their baby is safe (if they took the precautions mentioned above). © 2020 Everyday Health, Inc, "I received a baby walker as a gift for my little girl, but I've heard that they can be dangerous. Absolutely not! (2004), A 9-month-old who died after using her baby walker to get to the family's swimming pool and then falling in and drowning. To provide a safe play area for your baby, choose an activity center or bouncy seat, stationary rocker, swing, or play yard instead. Access ANCHOR, the intranet for Nationwide Children’s employees. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years. So the short answer to your question is a firm no. These standards help to make sure that mobile baby walkers are lead-free, won't tip over, and are made to prevent infants from falling out of the leg openings, etc. And were never hurt in their mobile baby walkers allow children to do too! 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