Skip the baby walker
What it is
Wheeled walkers cause falls down stairs and burns, and do not help a baby learn to walk.
Always on
- Use a stationary activity centre or, better, floor time — that is where walking is actually learned.
- If a walker is a gift, it is fine to say the paediatrician advised against it.
Why it matters
A walker gives a baby speed and height they cannot control, and it keeps them upright instead of on the floor where crawling, pulling up and balance develop.
Related
Sources
- Bright Futures periodicity schedule — American Academy of Pediatrics
- Tipat Halav visit programme — Israel Ministry of Health
Compiled with AI assistance from the public sources listed above. Not yet reviewed by a clinician — check anything important against the source, with Tipat Halav or with your doctor.