Baby walker
A baby walker is a device that can be used by infants who cannot walk on their own to move from one place to another. Patents have been issued for baby walkers as early as 1851.[1] Modern baby walkers have a base made of hard plastic sitting on top of wheels and a suspended fabric seat with two leg holes. A baby walker often has toys attached to the top to entertain the baby. It is designed for a child between 4 and 16 months.
Many parents believe that such walkers teach a child to walk faster, however, studies suggest that it is not true, and they may actually delay walking by two to three weeks.[2] These devices have also led to many injuries.[3][4] [5][6]In fact, CPSC, American Academy of Pediatrics[7] and other organizations have issued warnings to discourage parents from using baby walkers.
In Canada, the sale of baby walkers was banned on April 7, 2004.[8][9][10] Canada is the first country in the world to ban the sale, importation and advertisement of baby walkers. This ban extends to modified and second hand baby walkers, including those sold at garage sales.[11]
References
- ^ Baby Jumper
{{citation}}: Unknown parameter|country-code=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|inventor1-first=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|inventor1-last=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|issue-date=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|patent-number=ignored (help) - ^ Burrows P, Griffiths P (2002). "Do baby walkers delay onset of walking in young children?". Br J Community Nurs. 7 (11): 581–6. PMID 12447120.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Fazen LE, Felizberto PI (1982). "Baby walker injuries". Pediatrics. 70 (1): 106–9. PMID 7088607.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Kavanagh CA, Banco L (1982). "The infant walker. A previously unrecognized health hazard". Am. J. Dis. Child. 136 (3): 205–6. PMID 7064944.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Al-Nouri L, Al-Isami S (2006). "Baby walker injuries". Ann Trop Paediatr. 26 (1): 67–71. doi:10.1179/146532806X90637. PMID 16494707.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Emanuelson I (2003). "How safe are childcare products, toys and playground equipment? A Swedish analysis of mild brain injuries at home and during leisure time 1998-1999". Inj Control Saf Promot. 10 (3): 139–44. PMID 12861912.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ American Academy of Pediatrics. "Injuries Associated With Infant Walkers" (web reprint). Retrieved 2008-03-23.
- ^ "Baby Walker Information from Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Canada".
- ^ "Injury Data Analysis Leads to Baby Walker Ban".
- ^ "Ban on Walkers". Retrieved 2008-03-23.
- ^ "Baby Walker Information from Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Canada".
