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Baby walkers delay development

In the October, 1999 Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics [1999;20:355-361] a report finds that babies subjected to baby walkers suffer delays in the development of sitting up, crawling, walking, memory, learning and language skills.

 

Lead researcher, Dr. Robert V. Burton of the department of psychology at the State University of New York at Buffalo, says that the newer style walkers prevent babies from seeing their legs as they move. This stops the baby from getting visual feedback that helps them learn to move through their environment. They are also unable to reach for things around them because of the large trays the new style walkers have.

 

According to the study, other researchers have found that walkers are likely to also cause problems with spinal alignment and balance.

 

Physical and mental developmental delays aren't the only problem. The Consumer Product Safety Commission found in 1994 that walkers cause more injuries to children than any other children's product.

 

In 1995, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) stated that there should be a "ban on the manufacture and sale of mobile infant walkers in the United States."  With the publication of this study, the AAP now says that parents should also be aware of the "lack of benefits" with using walkers.

 

The investigators concluded that the use of baby walkers is "ill advised." Good advice indeed. s