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Baby Walkers Are Convenient, But Experts Agree: They’re Dangerous
There has always been a lot of debate around whether baby walkers are good or bad, but experts are now saying that they not only put babies at a greater risk of injury, but they also hamper some key walking and crawling developmental milestones.
Injury prevention specialist, Jennifer Hoekstra, says that baby walkers give babies a sense of mobility beyond their control. Babies who are unable to crawl or walk are given the means to move around and reach things in higher places which increases their chances of being injured. Injuries such as broken bones from falling down stairs and reaching things which are poisonous are common in incidents where baby walkers are involved.
In 2014, Bebelove recalled their Baby Walkers due to fall and entrapment hazards. The walkers did not meet federal safety standards. The walkers fit through a standard doorway and was not designed to stop at the edge of a step as required. It also contains leg openings that allow the child to slip down until the child’s head can become entrapped at the neck which could lead to serious injuries or even death.
In terms of babies development – baby walkers do not add any benefit – in fact it could hamper their development. In order for babies to learn to crawl, they need to spend time on their tummy in order for their fine motor skills to develop and for the muscles to strengthen which will eventually enable those little legs to start walking! Spending time in a walker, takes that opportunity away.
Watch as experts weigh in:
If you do have a baby walker, find the serial number and look it up on Consumer Product Safety Commission website to see if there have been any recalls of that product. Also make sure that the baby walkers used at your child’s daycare are not affected by any of these recalls.
N.j. Sutliff
May 13, 2016 at 1:51 am
Becca Burns
Becca Burns
May 13, 2016 at 1:52 am
No walkers in our house!
Kristy Sprunger
May 13, 2016 at 2:32 am
I get that there is concern but this is for parents who are just putting baby in the walkers and going about their day or not monitoring them properly. And babies should be give tummy time throughout the day every day to help with development. This article is towards parents who are again just putting baby in walkers and not having them do tummy time. I’m surprised I have seen an article stating the dangers of doorway jumpers for infants. The strap clipped to the door frame could snap and it the top of Baby’s head and kill them. There are so many what ifs in the world. Bottom line, if you want to put your baby in a walker, be in the room with them and watch them and limit the time they are in it. Also, continue to work on activities that promote motor skills.
Monica Alvarado
May 13, 2016 at 4:57 am
Baby walkers are banned in Canada for safety concerns
Lina Hawi
May 13, 2016 at 11:29 am
Lucy BPadre Hawi Ziad Hawi
Dee Genesis
July 14, 2016 at 1:42 am
My son used his it helped him
Learn to walk on his own not dangerous unless you watch you’re baby good and block the stair ways to Witt a baby gate lol just gotta child proof ur home n watch ur kid good that’s all haha
Robin Metzgar
July 14, 2016 at 9:17 am
Not the walkers fault. People just need to pay attention!
Monica Alvarado
July 14, 2016 at 6:54 pm
Baby walkers are banned in Canada and the only way to get one is from the States. For the reason that they can be dangerous if you don’t keep your eyes on te child and don’t use gates to block stairs