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.