Baby walkers
baby; walkers; safety; home;
Contents
A baby walker consists of a rigid frame on wheels with a sling seat. Babies can sit in the seat and move around before they are able to sit alone or crawl.
Baby walkers are not safe for babies and it is strongly advised that you do not use baby walkers.
Safety
- In baby walkers, babies can move around quickly before they are old enough to control what they are doing, so they can run into all sorts of dangers.
- Babies can move across a room in seconds, and quickly be in danger.
- Babies are taller in a baby walker, and they can reach things which they would not normally be able to reach such as:
- electrical cords in the kitchen
- hot drinks on low tables
- cleaning products on shelves or in open cupboards.
- There have been a large number of head injuries to babies under 12 months from using baby walkers, especially from tipping down a step.
Development
- Babies need to spend time playing on the floor to learn to roll, sit, crawl and walk.
- When a baby crawls and pulls himself up while holding on to furniture he is making the muscles needed for walking stronger, and learning about balance.
- Baby walkers do not help a baby learn to walk, and may even slow down their development. They do not learn how to balance while in a walker.
- Babies learn to walk on their toes when pushing a baby walker around, and they may continue to walk on their toes when they start to walk. Their leg muscles may become tight.
Sales of baby walkers
- Attempts are being made to prevent the sale of baby walkers in Australia because of their danger.
- In 2004 Canada banned the sale and importation of baby walkers. Australia is seeking a similar ban.
Using a baby walker
- If you do decide to use a baby walker, make sure there is nothing your baby can run into or get hold of that will harm her, eg. fires, heaters, steps, stairs, cords etc. Make your home 'walker safe'.
- Choose a walker that meets the American safety standard F977-00. These walkers have a broad base and do not tip so easily as other walkers and they have a locking mechanism that can be set so that a baby cannot move while in the walker. They can still tip down a stair easily.
- Always stay near if your baby is in a baby walker, and only use it for short periods at a time.
Walkers should not be used before a baby can sit alone, or after the baby can walk.
References
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) 'Baby walkers - safety alert'.
'Consumer.gov.au' Australian Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs 'Keeping baby safe' http://www.consumer.gov.au/html/pdf/BABY.PDF
KidsafeSA Fact sheet: Nursery equipment
http://www.gtp.com.au/kidsafesa/inewsfiles/Nursery_Equipment_ML.pdf
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.