Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0

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 29,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for walker-related injuries. Many more children are injured and go to their physician'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, 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.