Guidelines for the safe use of baby walkers

by Sharon Bell

Canada has banned the use of dangerous baby walkers. Unfortunately, other countries have yet to do the same.

Since 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics has asked the Consumer Product Safety Commission to do the same. But that request has been denied although the proposed ban is supported by the Consumer Federation of America, the American Medical Association and other concerned groups.

“Opponents of the proposed ban argue that stairs cause most injuries, not the walkers. But since it’s impossible to eliminate stairs, it’s advisable to stop using walkers,” said the editors of Health News.

To appease consumer groups, some manufacturers have redesigned their walkers and have come up with safety features. Still, the fact remains that many walkers are dangerous and pose a threat to your child.

If your child doesn’t have a walker, don’t make the mistake of buying one. If you decide to get one, choose a model that is too wide to fit through doorways and pay close attention to your child. In Consumer Reports’ Guide to Baby Products, Sandy Jones and Werner Freitag offer the following advice:

Remove the walker’s wheels to prevent infants from moving too fast and making them more prone to accidents.

Never leave the child unattended.

Never use walkers near stairs, steps, or thresholds. Check that surfaces are flat and free of objects that may cause tripping-over either indoors or outdoors.

To reduce the chance of the child slipping out of the seat, check that both feet of the child touch the floor, and never carry walkers with the child in it.

To avoid burn injuries, keep the child away from ranges, radiators, space heaters, or fireplaces.

Always use the walker’s restraint system.

Follow the manufacturer’s height, weight or age recommendations and stop using the walker when your child has outgrown it.

Discontinue using the walker should it become damaged or broken.

Most important, keep the child in view while he or she is in the walker.

To stay alert and sharp while watching your child, take Neurovar.

Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com. For more information on Neurovar, go to http://neurovar.com/prod10.aspx.

Article Source: Guidelines for the safe use of baby walkers

Baby Walker - Friend or Foe?

by Dalene Joubert

Baby walkers, or sometimes also called a walking ring date back as far as 1870. Parents have been using this aid to amuse and keep babies occupied for many years.

Nowadays many parents use this plaything to encourage their baby to walk.

Of course, when parents talk about babies, walkers and encouraging them to walk, one question is bound to be raised sooner or later...

"Does a walker really encourage my baby to walk? And will a walker help my child to walk at an earlier age?"

The answer lies in looking at the pros and cons. And how to use it sensibly.

Normal baby development follows very definite development patterns.

These patterns are commonly known as milestones. And each milestone develops very specific skills babies need for normal functioning.

Many toys and aids are nowadays designed to encourage and stimulate infants to develop these skills. Thereby stimulating development.

On the other hand, walkers were initially used as an aid to give infants the ability to move about in an upright position before they've developed the skills to do so on their own.

Walkers were not designed to stimulate and encourage normal walking.

What it means is this:

Before any baby can walk, she must master proper balance and bearing weight on her legs and feet.

But when small babies spend most of their early weeks in a walking ring, they almost always learn to walk on their toes.

This walking style is abnormal and often shortens the Achilles tendon which eventually messes up your child's balance when she really starts to walk independently.

What's more, the actual standing position in a walker doesn't improve an infant's balance. And teaching the knees to take weight is often disturbed and often does not develop naturally.

Practical observations show that many babies who spend most of their days in a walker struggle to or never crawl.

This is especially true if a baby is put in a walker at a very early age. Or spends too much time in a walking ring.

Crawling on the other hand teaches important motor and perceptual skills such as distance, depth... concepts such as in, out, on and under.

Chances are therefore good that a baby who spends too little time crawling won't properly master or take longer to master these skills.

One more important point:

Injuries to your baby's head caused by the walker falling over is probably the single biggest reason to use a baby walker sensibly and under supervision.

Bottom line is... spending too much time in a walker rarely encourages your baby to walk sooner.

So, is using a walker forbidden?

No, definitely not.

As long as you use it sensibly and for short periods to keep your child entertained while you're occupied elsewhere, it can be a good friend.

Are you really doing the best for your baby? Dalene Joubert has created the ultimate FREE baby development resource. In less than 3 minutes you can get all the proven secrets, tips and practical advice… Check out ==> http://www.baby
developmentnews.com

Article Source: Baby Walker - Friend or Foe?