Why dont I see Baby Walkers as much anymore?

Question

are they not recommended or what?

Answer 1

I think this question is good but most of the answers are poor. The ones who said dangerous seem to be speaking out on what they have heard but not had experience with. The ones who said they hinder walking, strong muscles, early development and concept of moving through space, I also find incorrect.

My opinion at least would be based on personal experience. I used one for all six of our natural born children, numerous foster children we raised, and passed it on for the use of neighbors and now two Grandchildren. No children were left unattended so no accidents occured ... but then again we didn't leave them unattended in the bathroom either or a bucket of water from washing a floor out and not emptied either so we didn't need to remove these items from sale because they caused drownings. Lighters and matches aren't bad in themselves unless of course you want to allow children to get them or play with them unattended.

Our six children were ahead of normal developement under age five because they had interaction and more access to their world instead of stuck on a blanket, playpen, or bed to develope on their own. Constructive play and feeding the mind is how we get intelligence, but supervised with all children!

Most were sitting, standing and walking by age one or under age one because of the use of a walker. One was walking by age 7 1/2 months without the continued use of a walker. All had grade scores in school at honor roll level. State tests given were at the highest level. Schools or college shows GPA'S of 4.0.

Children need close supervision in all things. What might be great for one child with supervision can cause the death of another without proper supervision. I do agree with the nurse who has to see how many children are injured because of lack of parents to supervise and watch their children. I also feel for the police who see dead children from car accidents because parents didn't use car seats/seat belts or didn't use them correctly!

Bottom line is....they couldn't control parents who didn't want to properly watch their children so it was easier to reduce deaths by removing them from the market place.

Answer 2

baby walkers aren't safe. A lot of babies have fallen down steps and stuff while in them. Also they don't strengthen the right muscles in the legs and the backs don't get strong like they should. Plus people overuse them. A baby should spend no more than 30 minutes twice a day in a walker/bouncer (like a walker with no wheels). Floor time is more valuable in a babies development and tummy time (supervised) is great.

So in short lol the answer is no they are no longer recommended by pediatricians.

Answer 3

Your expectations are not in line with having a child. He's still very, very young. Why does he need to be so confined? Baby proof as much as you can. Put cords up out of reach or behind things. He also needs to be able to get around and explore. Stop comparing to you and your child to other people. You don't follow them around 24 hours a day so you have no idea if there babies are well-behaved all the time or if the short time you see them is a fluke.

Answer 4

Not recommended cause some babies took a tumble down the stairs, or into the family pool in them. Though I think it's debatable if that would happen under supervision, but it's still more dangerous to add wheels to a baby that nature intended to keep more or less stationary... Also it's now known that they don't help babies learn to walk, more, they act like "crutches" and can even inhibit good walking/standing development.

Answer 5

Since 1995, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has maintained that there should be a "ban on the manufacture and sale of mobile infant walkers in the US." In light of the new study findings, the AAP is also stressing that parents should be made aware of the "lack of benefits" to walker use.

**The large trays on all newer-model walkers that protect a scurrying infant from accidents also prevent babies from seeing their legs as they move and from grasping objects around them. This deprives babies of the visual feedback that may help them learn to move through space...the researchers report study results showing that babies who used newer-style walkers may be slower than other babies in reaching developmental milestones, including sitting up, crawling, and walking. These babies may also be delayed in the development of memory, learning, and language skills...**

Plus the physical safety hazards.

Answer 6

I wanted to get my little one a walker. All of us had them growing up and loved them. Turns out there are a million injuries a year that show up in the ER r/t walkers. Most of them are head/neck injuries because kids (unsupervised of course, but it can happen to anyone) go over a ledge or fall down the stairs in them. I opted for the exer-saucer instead because I am a nervous nelly (probably because I take care of neuro patients). I always err on the side of caution.

Answer 7

There were many reported accidents due to baby walkers tipping over or falling down stairs so they have pulled the majority of them off the market. Now they make stationary "excersaucers" for babies to play in.

Answer 8

I think they are not recommended now because of babies falling down stairs in them and things like that. My two kids both loved their walkers though, and as long as you use your common sense and dont leave them unattended then they are fine.

Answer 9

They have been banned in some countries by the World Health Organisation (WHO). They may cause the deformed growth of hips in young children, they allow children to reach things before they understand the word "no" and they give access to places that maybe of danger, and they are so quick in those things. They may also hinder walking and balance.

Answer 10

The are horribly dangerous. Do you know how many babies get hurt or die from those stupid things? Too many. Get a stationary walker for your baby. They never know that they aren't going anywhere, trust me.