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In the pursuit of convenience and ease…what is the real price for the purchase of baby equipment that at first glance may appear to give so much, but in reality hinders our children’s development and often can be the cause of serious injury?
Babies placed in devices that propel them through their environment, when the basics of normal motor movement have not been achieved makes true the euphemism of “putting the cart before the horse.”
Research is showing that it is essential that babies acquire the ability to move under their own steam. A study of 190 healthy babies, by researchers at the University of Dublin, Ireland, has shown that those babies who used walkers were slower to crawl, stand and walk than babies who did not use this equipment. Calculations showed that for each 24 hours of “walker time” the moment a baby could walk (unaided) was postponed by 3.3 days and stand (unaided) by 3.7 days.
Dr. Gray A. Smith, Director for the Center Injury Research at Columbus Children’s Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio cites that although some previous studies had initially shown walkers to be beneficial to waking, exercise and mobility, more recent analysis dispels the myth that baby walkers help a child to walk.Experts are finding that the real problem with baby walkers is that infants are able to move around without carrying their body weight, which causes abnormal muscle development. In tandem, the nervous system is deprived of the necessary sensory input, which is essential for learning to stand and walk. Babies benefit from the tactile and pressure sensations they get while creeping on hands and knees. Shoulder, neck and eye muscles also benefit from movement in prone position. Smith, also mentioned that infant walkers are associated with thousands of accidents every year.
When making a purchase of baby equipment parents should thoroughly investigate the real and imagined benefits. Very often the only benefit is to corporate profits. Our children’s first steps should be made in a natural and unfettered way…just as nature intended.
Cited Study: “Baby Walker May Delay First Steps,”
Linda Marsa, The Los Angeles Times, July 1, 2002.
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