Walker

The only time they are a true danger is if you have stairs. But if you don't have any stairs or they are gated off, there is not danger to them. I had one for my daughter and my son and they are just fine. It gives them a little bit of freedom. Because they can move around the place.

Actually most injuries occur when the babies ARE supervised. They can reach new things, roll into things with enough momentum to knock over things (like some gates), etc. If your house is completely childproofed (even the areas where he couldn't reach before) than it's OK if you really want one. They do delay natural walking because the babies can't really see their feet and walking in a walker is different that walking normally. I favor jumpers because they get the movement but you know they can't get into trouble! I don't have the link but if you go to the AAP website and search for 'walkers' I'm sure they'll have the actual statistic on there. The majority of injuries happen when one or more people are in the room with them.

Hello,
I've read that walkers can discourage a child from learning to walk on their own. And the American Academey of Pediatricts recommends against using walkers because babies who use them don't learn to walk as fast as those who are not on walkers. This is what I've read when I was considering buying a walker for my babies. I don't know if this is true or not I gues you have to consider the source. It was just something I read in one of those internet articles.

The other problem with walkers is steps....even falling off one step can cause serious injuries for your little one. We used a walker with both my children - but they were always supervised and we have a ranch (no steps to worry about). Good luck.

There's a lot of conflicting opinions about them, The APA says they hinder children from walking on their own, and that a child doesn't use the same muscles to propel a walker as they do to actually walk. The biggest concern I think is of course stairs (as others have stated), and also then crashing into things (tables, Entertainment centers) which might have things on them that could be knocked off by the collision. That being said...

We used one for my son, and it helped him move around better, enjoy his time more when I couldn't be holding him the entire time, or sitting literally at his side (He has severe reflux and wouldn't lay for more than 5 minutes without howling, nor did he crawl until 4 months after he started to walk because he wasn't able to have proper amounts of tummy time). He started walking at 10 months, and hasn't stopped since (2 years old now).. so I don't think it's -always- true that they hinder a child's learning to walk. To me, it seems to depend largely on that childs personality.. If your son enjoys it, and you'll be there to monitor him in it so nothing falls on him, and he doesn't fall down stairs, I think it can't be a bad thing.

My first son used one and that was 13 yrs ago, he learned to walk by 9 1/2 months. They were more dangerous then because of the way they were made. Kids can reach things they normally can't (but they can if they pull up to things too), they can fall down stairs with them, and they used to be able to tip them over. So far my second son is using one and until he started using it, he wasn't interested in standing or walking(we have an exer-circle and he has had it almost tipped over before. Now he tries to stand and walk whenever we hold him. Just like anything else, you should limit the usage, and not use it to replace teaching them to walk. They need you to help them stand up and practice just like always. Use caution and your own judgement. I personally don't think that they should be used at daycares, since they can't pay close enough attention to the kids, but that's jsut me. Good luck.

No, you are right. B/c stupid parents that didn't watch their children and had accidents, now they are dangerous. I used them with both of my children and when they were about 5-6 mos old, I stopped using them b/c they learned how to pull themselves up on the furniture and shortly after were walking on furniture.

Hi H.,

Below is copied information on baby walkers, development and safety. I copied the info from the Mott Children's Hospital Web site. The information is also backed by The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Also, when a child uses a walker, the child must lean forward and must push. This is not a natural walking motion. Does this delay walker? Yes, it certainly can especially if it used frequently and at the age range of 7 to 12 months. Will a child suffer a delay if they use a walker on occasion for very short periods of time.. most likely not! And I'm not sure if it could cause bowleggedness - ?? For that to occur several factors have to be in play. If after reading the info below you are still not sure, ask your pediatrician on the effects on development etc. As an early childhood educator and childcare worker.. I would not recommend the use of one. I would go with a stationary unit.

Hope the info is helpful. M. :0)

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_walkers_hhg.htm
The Dangers of Baby Walkers

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) feels that walkers should be banned from the United States because:

baby walkers put children at risk for injury and
there are no clear benefits from using a baby walker.
From 1989 to 1993 there were 11 deaths involving a baby walker. Each year over 8000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for walker-related injuries. Many more children are injured and go to their health care provider's office. Walker injuries can be serious, such as skull fractures, head injuries causing bleeding inside the head, broken legs and arms, and burns.

FACT: Baby walkers do not help your baby to walk earlier. In fact, they often delay walking.

FACT: A baby in a walker can move at a speed of 3 feet per second. This is much faster than a baby can move on his own.

FACT: Gates do not prevent babies from tumbling down stairs in walkers. Children can take the gate down or the baby walker can knock the gate loose.

FACT: Baby walkers put children at increased risk for burns, poisonings, and drownings. This is because the child can move about faster and reach dangerous objects.

FACT: Most baby walker injuries happen while at least one parent is at home watching the child.

Ways to Keep Your Child Happy
Children can be entertained in other ways or placed in a safer piece of equipment. Playpens, stationary activity centers, infant swings, and high chairs are other ways to keep your child safe and happy. Be sure to use a safety belt if you put your child in a high chair or swing.

Written by Suzanne Glaser, R.N., and Norine Hemphill, R.N., M.S.
Published by McKesson Provider Technologies.
Last modified: 2006-03-02
Last reviewed: 2004-08-25
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
Pediatric Advisor 2006.2 Index
Pediatric Advisor 2006.2 Credits

Hi H. I agree that walkers are fine if used properly and totally supervised. I mean really bowlegged?? Everyone has their opinion and experiences. I used my walker on both children and I felt it gave them much more freedom to move around and explore. I also believe it encouraged walking because they truly get a feel for what it is like. I have one in my basement that you are welcome to have free. I was just cleaning out things and going to throw it out. Let me know if you want it!!
Thanks S.

I've also heard that they discourage babies from walking.

I never bought a walker for my daughter, not cause I didn't want one. It wasn't something we couldn't afford. My friends daughter had one however and she ran over her own foot in the walker. She had long legs. I found a jumper for my daughter and that worked out much better, I think. Since she jumped her legs got alot stronger than from a walker and I think that helped her walk earlier. I have heard about how walkers affect the hips also.

Actually walkers are not recommended because of the way the child learns to walk, walkers force your childs hips out at a weird angle causing them to become bowlegged. Just to note, walkers aren't completely off limits, but it is recommended that the child stays in them no more than two hours a day.

Yes...They are considered dangerous because of accidents/injuries that occured during unsupervised times. My son had one and he LOVED it. If your son currently has spent time in one and likes it and you are going to be sure to supervise his time in it, I say go for it!

Walkers are or can be dangerous for children that small if left unsupervised because if a child tries to get through a tight spot (which they often do) and stick their little fingers between say a wall and the edge of the walker it will hurt their little fingers---also if they're walking around and get someplace in between the doors this could be a problem too---if you have a big open space with no doors and or other potential dangerous that you think your child could get into then I'll say no problem (but I have heard of cases where children tip over in those things too--I've had one for a short period of time when my daughter was small, but I didn't honestly feel that it made any difference...whatever you do trust your motherly instinct and be cautious. Jumperoo is just as good and more fun I would think.
Good luck,
B.