Baby Walkers
Helpful or Harmful?

Safety Facts

• Between 1989 - 91, six babies died from walker injuries in the U.S.
• In 1991, 28,000 babies in the U.S. were treated in emergency rooms for injuries from walkers.
• The most common cause of serious injuries is from falls down stairs.
• Gates were present but not latched in 1/3 of the falls down stairs.
• 1/2 to 1/3 of all babies using a walker suffer some injury.
• Walkers can flip on uneven surfaces.
• Babies in a walker can move faster than a watching adult can reach them.
• Burns and scalds can occur because a walker allows the baby to reach higher.

Developmental Facts

• Walkers do not teach baby to walk.
• Walkers do not help babies to walk earlier.
• Walkers can delay crawling.
• Walkers cause babies to tiptoe which may delay normal walking.
• Walkers can decrease learning because they limit the baby's use of hands in exploring objects.

Other Ways to Help Baby be HAPPY and SAFE

• Childproof a room and let baby crawl.
• Floor-play with your baby for short times often during the day.
• Change the toys the baby plays with during the day.
• Provide a playpen as a safe haven for short periods.
• Remove the wheels from the walker.

BEFORE you use a walker, discuss it with your baby's nurse or doctor. If you choose to use a walker:

1. Use it no longer than 15 minutes twice a day.
2. Position the baby properly:

• Seated
• Feet flat on the floor
• Knees bent
• Tray at chest level

Tips for Safer Walker Use

Provide Constant Supervision at Arms Length

• Use walkers only on a flat surface.
• Keep walker-babies away from hot stoves, hot liquids, space heaters and radiators.
• Lock the basement door with a child proof latch.
• DELAY walker use until baby can sit alone.
• STOP WALKER USE, once the baby can stand alone.
• NEVER leave baby alone.
• NEVER use a walker near open stairs.
• NEVER use walker by a swimming pool.
• NEVER carry the baby in a walker.

Revised May 15, 2006