Babywalkers may delay development and cause injuries

Babywalkers i.e. infant walkers, wheeled seats that allow infants to move around with their feet on the floor are widely used, by 50% or more of infants. A recent study showed that babywalkers delay acquisition of crawling, standing alone, and walking alone. For injuries the evidence is stronger. Injuries with babywalkers are common, if usually minor. However, deaths and serious injuries (skull fracture, concussion, intracranial haemorrhage, fractures of the cervical spine, and other fractures) occur. These are particularly associated with falls downstairs, which are the commonest cause of babywalker related injury. Poisoning and burns are other risks. A rate of 8.9 injuries needing attendance in emergency departments per 1000 children less than 1 year of age and 1.7/1000 for serious injuries has been reported. Programmes to educate parents have proved disappointing. Uncontrolled mobility up to one metre per second is the major hazard. Most accidents occur while the child is under supervision, often with an adult in the same room. Recent voluntary standards introduced in the United States recommend that babywalkers be manufactured wide enough (more than 36 inches; 91 cm) not to pass through doors; it is hoped that this will prevent children tumbling down steps on to, for example, a concrete floor in the cellar. Braking systems designed to stop the walker toppling if one wheel loses contact with the ground (for example, over the edge of stairs) are also recommended, but evidence shows that they may not work. Babywalkers have been banned in Canada, although many families still import them. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends a ban on the manufacture and sale of this product. Stationary activity centres providing tilt, rotation, and bounce are suggested as an alternative to wheeled machines and are likely, if not confirmed, to be safer. The shown risk for injuries, together with apparent adverse effects on development and lack of other benefit, makes a very strong case for a general ban on babywalkers.