Many people think baby walkers are too dangerous for infants to use and that they should be banned. What do you think?

[owensmom34]

 

Many people think baby walkers are too dangerous for infants to use and that they should be banned. What do you think?

 

[MommyMojo]

I do think that baby walkers should be banned.  First, a child could fall down a flight of stairs while in the walker.  Second, the baby's hips could develop wrong if the child is kept in the walker for long periods of time.  A better choice for the child is the is the Exersaucer.  The child can sit in the middle seat and play with the toys that are around him.  But, just like most toys for babies, a parent should not keep a child in anything for long periods of time.  The best learning for babies birth to 7 years of age is face to face play.

[DandEMom]

I think that negligent parents should be banned.  Sure, they can fall down the stairs, sure they could be left in them hours on end, and sure they CAN be dangerous.  However, if you don't put your child in at the top of the staircase or near a staircase you have no issues.  I used them for all three of my kids and use them in my home daycare.  I have never had a single issue with them

[Mommytwo6angels]

They should ban parents who dont watch thier kids in walkers. The only reason why they fall down stairs or get hurt is because the parents put them in and forget not intentionally so dont think that I am trying to be mean. Wether u r cleaning washing ect... Walkers like everything else should be supervised.

[MommyMojo]

Sadly, there will always be negligent parents and accidents that just happen (hence the name "Accidents")  However, research has shown that development of hips can be compromised by the walker.  My doctor discouraged me from using them and I discourage my families (I am a Parent Educator) from using them as well.   In the end, we each have to weigh the pros and cons of every issue that comes our way and then make a decision that benefits us individually.

[Phoenix_sp]

I think if your baby if you are going to let your baby fall down the stairs, it wont matter if its in a walker or not LOL.

Here in Canada they ARE banned, but lots of mamas sneak em in from the good ol USA.  If your going to neglect your child though, theres likely to be bigger problems then the baby walker going down the stairs (thats the major issue with them here).  Its stupid.

[amileegirl]

Walkers aren't good for walking development at all.      The hips are put into an unnatural position, and it encourages "toe walking" which is bad for balance and foot development (not to mention a bad habit that can be hard to break making learning to walk normally difficult).     Babies become too motile before they are developmentall ready.      If a baby spends too much time in a walker (or even any exersaucers) they may not develop their leg muscles properly interfering with crawling, independent walking, and other motor skills.     

On top of that if a walker tips because it gets snagged on something it is far more dangerous than if a baby just learning to walk takes a tumble because they can get caught in it, or get caught between the frame and another object.

Bad...bad...idea.

[Photo6555]

 I don't think they should be banned. I do think they should be used under the supervision of a parent. My daughter thrived in a baby walker.  I live in a rancher, so I did not have to worry about steps.  Whenever I put her in her walker, she was so excited.  She loved that she was able to get where she wanted to go at 6 months.  I don't think they keep infants from walking.  My daughter was cruising along the furniture at 7 months.  At nine months she crawled.  At 10 months, she was walking on her own.  I do think that babies should not be left in the walker for hours on end.

[lovemykids73]

I've always believed in the philosophy - everything in moderation...  Me and all my siblings and my children have all used walkers and were all early walkers with absolutely no physical complications from it.  Of course if you have a house where stairs may be left open, then using a walker would just be dumb.  Otherwise I think it is fine and will continue to use them.

 

[shymom24]

This...

Quoting lovemykids73:

I've always believed in the philosophy - everything in moderation...  Me and all my siblings and my children have all used walkers and were all early walkers with absolutely no physical complications from it.  Of course if you have a house where stairs may be left open, then using a walker would just be dumb.  Otherwise I think it is fine and will continue to use them.

[storkradio193]

I am not sure it should be banned but they have been shown to lower IQ and infant development. I just personally wouldn't use it.