Tizzie shares her thoughts on baby walkers

Described as ‘sitting devices on wheels’, baby walkers are ‘not safe’ in my honest opinion and increase the risk of your little one getting burns and scalds, being poisoned accidentally and even receiving a head injury.

Because baby walkers allow children to reach higher than they normally would, they are more likely to encounter dangerous situations.

The potential for knocking over hot food, liquids, candles and electrical items and even receiving burns and scalds increases, alongside poisoning as they are in a position to be able to reach dangerous items.

Baby walkers do not help babies learn to walk either. They may actually hinder how long it takes for your little one to learn to walk alone.

Baby walkers have been subject to criticism and concern from Paediatricians across the globe and child safety experts for several reasons:

1. Safety hazards: Baby walkers can lead to accidents and injuries. They give babies increased mobility, which can result in falls down stairs, collisions with furniture, or reaching hazardous items they wouldn’t normally have access to.
2. Delayed motor development: Contrary to popular belief, baby walkers do not help babies learn to walk. In fact, some studies suggest that they can delay motor development because babies are not using their own muscles to support themselves. Babies may become reliant on the walker for support rather than developing the necessary strength and coordination to walk independently.
3. Hinder proper muscle development: Baby walkers can encourage an unnatural walking pattern, where a baby may be up on their tiptoes or pushing off with the toes, rather than using their whole foot to push off and support their weight. This can potentially lead to muscle imbalances or problems with gait development.
4. Increased risk of accidents: The mobility provided by baby walkers can allow babies to access dangerous items or areas that are normally out of reach, leading to accidents such as burns, poisoning, or choking.
5. Decreased supervision: Parents may mistakenly believe that baby walkers provide a safe environment for their child to roam, leading to decreased supervision. However, accidents can still occur even when a baby is in a walker, especially if they encounter hazards or obstacles.

Due to these concerns, many countries have implemented regulations or even bans on the sale and use of baby walkers.

Instead of a baby walker, I would recommend safer alternatives such as stationary activity centers, playpens, or simply providing ample supervised tummy time and floor play for your child to learn to move and explore by themselves, as I previously discussed in my recent lazy parenting blog and on the podcast below.