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Use of infant walkers. Board of Trustees, American Medical Association
Insights
Infant walkers offer convenience but pose injury risks, including serious trauma. Parents should be aware that these devices do not aid walking development and require constant supervision.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Safety
Background:
- Infant walkers are commonly used by parents for convenience.
- Their use may lead to decreased parental vigilance, creating a false sense of security.
- While often minor, injuries from infant walkers can include severe head trauma, lacerations, and burns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential dangers associated with infant walker use.
- To inform healthcare providers about the risks and provide guidance for patient counseling.
- To clarify that infant walkers do not promote motor development or replace supervision.
Main Methods:
- Review of injury data associated with infant walkers.
- Analysis of parental perceptions and supervision habits.
- Consultation with medical organizations regarding safety recommendations.
Main Results:
- Infant walkers are associated with occasional serious injuries.
- Parents may underestimate the risks due to perceived convenience.
- These devices do not accelerate a child's ability to walk.
Conclusions:
- Physicians should counsel parents on the risks of infant walkers.
- Emphasize that walkers do not aid in walking development.
- Reinforce the necessity of continuous parental supervision during use.
Abstract:
Infant walkers are used by many parents because of the convenience they provide in keeping children occupied. Unfortunately, parents may develop a false sense of security that leads to diminished vigilance over the safety of their infant. Although most injuries that result from walkers are minor, serious trauma from head injuries, lacerations, and burns does occur occasionally. The American Medical Association recommends that physicians counsel parents on the risk of injury that can occur from the use of infant walkers and inform parents that these devices do not either promote bipedal ambulation or offer a substitute for careful parental supervision.