About 50% of all children ages 5 to 15 months use a baby walker. Most parents believe that the walker helps their child learn to walk faster. They also want to give the baby the extra mobility that they get through the walker. Many parents also say they want to make sure their baby is safe, and they’re supposed to be safer with a walker than without.

Now the facts about baby walkers are quite different from what parents think. There are several studies that show that children who use walkers learn to walk later than children who do not use them. Babies with walkers also have weaker hips, which could be a problem.

How is it with security? Each year more than 10,000 children present to hospital emergency rooms for walker-related injuries. The most common injury is a head injury.

Keep in mind that a child with a walker is much faster than without it. Therefore, they also reach dangerous areas much faster than before. This leads to injuries such as burns, falls down stairs, falls into swimming pools, etc.

In the US, pediatricians have tried to get the government to ban baby walkers, without success. In Canada they have achieved it. There it is not allowed to sell, advertise or import baby walkers. The reason is that they consider the walker too dangerous for the child.

If you decide to buy a baby walker, make sure it is as safe as possible. Never leave your child unattended when using a walker!