As your baby develops and shows an interest in standing up and taking those first steps, it can be tempting to take the plunge and buy a baby walker. But wait! Before you hit the ‘buy’ button, let’s discuss whether a walker is truly the way to go for your child’s development and safety.
Here’s why you should rethink buying a baby walker for your child:
1. Safety Concerns
Baby walkers are hazardous. Firstly, they give babies the ability to move faster than they could on their cot alone. This increased speed can cause falls or crashes, especially concerning stairs.
2. Developmental Delays
Instead of building muscle and coordination through crawling and standing, a walker supports your baby in a way that doesn’t help them learn to walk naturally. This can lead to issues like ‘toe-walking,’ which interferes with normal walking development.
3. Interference with Natural Movement
Babies learn to move and explore through interaction with the environment. Floor time is the most important time to be exposed to gravity as he develops an awareness of balance, spatial understanding, and the ability to change positions. Being in a walker often interferes with developing these patterns.
4. False Sense of Security
While this can feel like the walker is making your baby safer, it instead puts them in danger by allowing them to reach unsafe areas more quickly, such as the tip of a staircase.
If you’re rethinking a walker, don’t worry—there are plenty of safe alternatives!
i. Stationary Activity Centers
Stationary centres for play and bounce ensure a safe activity, without repeated exposure to the risk associated with mobility.
2. Play Mats and Tummy Time
Encourage crawling and muscle development.
3. Push Toys
Help your baby practice walking with the support they need.
4. Parental Support
One of the easiest, but also best, things you can do for your baby is to hold their hands and let them practice using your support.
Baby walkers are seen as a tool to help babies learn to walk, but they are one of the most hazardous products marketed to parents in modern history.
Baby walkers can have negative effects on your baby’s development, alter his natural movement patterns, and give the illusion of security. Instead, use safer items such as immobile activity centers, play mats, and push toys so that parents can have a healthier baby.