Baby walkers have come under fire by Consumer Reports and the Consumer Product Safety Commission in recent years. Both recommend that you choose other methods of entertainment for your baby. If you choose to ignore these recommendations, consider carefully the pros and cons of baby walkers before you buy one for your little one. Your child's safety and development are put up against mobility and effective playtime, so that you can make an educated decision on whether or not a baby walker is right for you.
Pro: Walking Practice
A baby walker gives your child practice when it comes to testing her balance and using her leg muscles to stand and simulate walking. While a baby walker won't necessarily teach your baby how to walk, it can give her some practice that will aid her when she does learn how to walk on her own, says Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Raising Kids.
Con: Tipping
One of the main concerns that the CPSC has with baby walkers is their tendency to tip over. When a baby walker tips over, it can cause damage to the baby's head, arms or legs. The CPSC warns that you should never use a walker in areas that have uneven surfaces, like carpet and hardwood flooring, as it can cause the walker to become unstable and tip over. Special caution should also be taken when around objects that could cause injury; especially coffee tables, ranges and fireplaces.
Pro: Playtime
Your child might enjoy some of the amenities that come with a baby walker, including toy bars, lights and sounds. This gives mom a much-needed break from holding or playing with her child. Be careful to always supervise your baby in a walker; he should never be left unattended while mobile. For an even safer option, choose a baby walker that has a fixed base. The baby can turn and move in the walker, but it remains firmly on the floor and doesn't allow baby to move by himself.
Con: Stairs
The CPSC reports that over 21,000 injuries are reported each year as a result of baby walkers, and stairs are the number one danger when it comes to babies. Babies can move quickly in baby walkers and are curious. Just one wheel needs to go over the edge of a stair to cause the entire baby walker to topple, and the walker confines the baby as it falls down the stairs. Injuries from falling down the stairs in a walker are often worse than a baby falling down the stairs on her own because of this.
Pro: Mobility
An independent and curious baby may get frustrated when he can't move around on his own. A baby walker can give him the freedom to explore, within reason and under the careful supervision of his parents. This can be especially beneficial to parents who find that their child is unhappy unless he is in a walker, mobile and curious.
Con: Leg Development
Consumer Reports notes that using a baby walker to help your child learn to walk can actually impede her progress when it comes to gross motor skills. She may not walk as soon as she could because she's learned to rely only on the walker; the walker doesn't work the upper thigh muscles that need to be developed to walk. Rather, it focuses the movement on the lower leg and toes.
