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Around 2000 children visit US emergency rooms every year for walker-related injuries.
"Ninety percent of walker-related injuries are to the head and neck, and the rest are mostly upper extremities (arms and hands). Bruises and contusions to the scalp and face are common," explains Dr. Sczcepaniak, and concussions occur in more than 25 percent of cases. "While fractures happen less frequently, about five percent on walker-related injuries, more than half of these fractures are dangerous skull fractures."
When walkers first hit the scene in the early 1970s, they were incredibly popular. Parents thought they'd finally found the answer to keeping baby occupied, engaged, and active while giving busy parents a break.
But shortly after their popularity spiked, so did ER visits for injuries like concussions, abrasions, burns, and fractures. Giving babies the freedom to explore their environments unhindered led to accidents. Falling down staircases, burns from otherwise inaccessible hot liquids, and even rolling down the driveway into the street were all fairly common baby walker incidents.
Dr. Ashanti Woods, a pediatrician practicing at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, has always urged parents to use caution if they choose to let their babies explore in a walker.
"I think families should consider the significant dangers associated with using baby walkers in unsafe environments. I also think families should acknowledge that we are more distracted today in comparison to 20 years ago. Because of this, we are more likely to keep our infants and toddlers free of significant injury by avoiding baby walkers."
He encourages parents who opt for walkers to only allow their baby access in a completely hazard-free environment. "I let my parents know that in safe environments (no steps, no pointed edges of tables, no hot liquids, no bodies of water, or essentially a wide open space with four walls and free of hazards), a baby walker can probably safely be used with close supervision."
Safe Baby Walker Alternatives
While baby activity walkers initially seemed like the gold standard, the risk isn't worth the reward. There are safe alternatives to walkers, though. Stationary play centers or bouncers, provide developmentally appropriate stimulation without the risk of injury common with mobile walkers.
"Parents can use stationary bouncers for infants and toddlers, where a child is allowed to sit/stand in a fabric seat," says Woods. Bouncing and spinning within the confines of the play center "will develop a child's tone, or inner musculature, in their feet, legs, thighs, and hips."
There are an overwhelming number of baby walkers and jumpers on the market and choosing one can be difficult. The best baby jumper will have a wide, sturdy base and safe, age-appropriate toys that cannot be swallowed by curious babies. Removable fabric seats are also a plus for parents, making clean-up a little easier.
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