May. 13, 2024
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Do baby walkers help in baby's development?
Baby walkers can be a fun way for babies to explore their environment, but they should not be relied upon for developmental milestones. While some parents think walkers help babies learn to walk sooner, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that they can actually delay natural crawling, walking, and balance development.
Babies placed in walkers at a young age may miss essential opportunities to practice crawling, crucial for developing strength and coordination. It's important to note walkers can give babies a false sense of mobility, leading to overconfidence and less caution when learning to walk.
Instead, parents should use other baby gear that promotes natural development, such as play yards, exersaucers, jumpers, and play mats. Encouraging babies to explore their environment with safe toys on a soft surface is recommended.
Even though baby walkers may not be the best for development, adult supervision is crucial, ensuring the walker is appropriate for the baby's age and development stage, and meets current safety standards.
Many parents choose to use baby walkers for their infants. These walkers, often marketed for babies as young as four months, are advertised as fostering mobility. However, paediatric physiotherapists strongly advise against them. This article outlines the hidden dangers of baby walkers, why you should avoid them, and the potential developmental issues they can cause.
So, are baby walkers safe? Paediatric physiotherapists and health experts strongly discourage their use due to accidents and developmental problems they can cause. Walkers give babies unnatural height and speed, increasing the risk of injury and forcing premature walking.
In short, no. Sit-in baby walkers are not safe for your baby despite heavy advertising. They can be harmful both immediately and long-term. There are two main reasons: safety and development. Here's a closer look at these concerns.
Keeping children safe is a parent's top priority. However, placing a child in a baby walker increases their risk of injury. Annually, many reports of babies injuring themselves in walkers surface. These injuries include:
Walkers enable babies to reach heights and speeds that increase their risk of accessing hazardous items. This includes knocking objects from typically out-of-reach heights, falling down stairs, and trapping limbs. Some studies suggest nearly half of babies using walkers experience some form of injury.
Babies will walk when they are developmentally ready. To walk, they need to learn several prerequisites. A baby's walking timeline depends on body shape, motivation, personality, and other factors. Studies show that not only do walkers not encourage development, but they can delay a baby's motor development milestones.
Time spent in walkers limits other essential activities like floor play. Walkers alter a baby's ability to see their legs and feet, crucial for spatial awareness. Evidence also suggests walker use can result in toe walking due to unprepared muscles and joints bearing body weight too early, possibly persisting into independent walking.
Though we strongly recommend avoiding baby walkers, some parents may still opt to use them. If so, the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP) suggests close supervision and limiting walker use to no more than 20 minutes at a time. Ensure your child's feet are flat on the floor to prevent persistent toe walking.
If toe walking continues, physiotherapy can help resolve this issue. We covered this subject extensively in a recent blog.
Natural activities like crawling or tummy time are ideal alternatives to baby walkers. Tummy time helps babies develop crucial motor skills such as rolling, sitting, and arm-leg coordination. It supports the brain's hemispheric crossover, aiding overall development.
Instead of a walker, consider a stationary activity center. These allow sensory stimulation and development without mobility risks.
At Therapy Stars, our professional physiotherapists and hydrotherapists work with babies, children, and young adults with genetic and mobility-limiting conditions or developmental delays. Our facilities and packages cater to your child's specific needs, providing engaging and fun treatments.
To contact us, book a complimentary call to discuss our child physiotherapy services.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Classic Baby Stroller supplier.
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