Walkers, which feature wheeled frames and hanging seats and let babies move around on their feet, are very dangerous. Walkers are a major contributor to infant injuries, thus health and safety professionals strongly advise against using them.

Babies in strollers frequently slide into stoves, heaters, and swimming pools. Babies using walkers are more likely to grab harmful things such as hot coffee cups and kitchen knives or touch stovetops than they would be without them, which increases their risk of suffering burns and other accidents. Additionally, they run into obstacles or tumble down steps. In fact, one of the most frequent injuries from walkers is going downstairs. When infants fall, they may get significant brain injuries as well as fractured bones.

According to research, walkers don't help a toddler develop in any way. Infants are not taught to walk or assisted to walk more quickly than they would without one. Babies require opportunities to pull themselves up, creep, and crawl; these activities are not possible in a walker.

Instead, go for an activity centre, bouncy seat, stationary rocker, swing, or play yard to provide your child with a secure play place. And make certain that everyone who looks after your child is aware of the risks associated with walkers.

Risks of baby walker:

Most walker accidents take place in front of adults. Simply put, parents or other caretakers cannot react soon enough. The speed of a toddler using a walker is more than 3 feet per second! Because of this, using walkers is never safe, even when an adult is nearby.

1. Roll down the stairs: Rolling down the stairs frequently results in severe head injuries and fractured bones. Most child injuries in baby walkers occur in this manner.
2. Suffer burns: A kid in a walker can reach higher. A youngster may now pull a tablecloth off a tabletop and spill hot coffee, grab stovetop pot handles, and reach radiators, fireplaces, or space heaters with ease.
3. Drown: A toddler in a walker may fall into a bathtub or a pool and drown. 
4. Consume something unsafe: Using a walker makes it simpler to access high items.

Safety procedure:

Since 1997, infant strollers have either been designed to fit through a few doorways or to include brakes that cause them to halt at the edge of a step. Some could still have wheels, allowing kids to move quickly and reach higher.

The AAP has demanded a ban on the production and distribution of infant strollers with wheels. In Canada, baby walkers have already been outlawed. Baby walkers cannot be produced, imported, advertised, or sold in Canada under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act.

Make sure there aren't any walkers everywhere your child is being looked after, including daycare facilities or private residences.

Consider using viable alternatives to baby walkers that are still fun, such as:

• Activity centres that are stationary resemble walkers but lack wheels. The seats on them frequently rotate, tilt, and bounce.
• As kids start to sit, crawl, or walk, play yards and playpens make excellent safe spaces for them.
• Older kids frequently want to sit upright in a high chair and play with the toys on the tray.

Throwing away your baby walker is one primary technique to protect your child from harm.

Signs babies are ready to walk:

Let's look more closely at these and other indications that toddling is coming since we know you want to save their first steps in your heart (and on film) forever.

1. Pulling oneself up to stand: One of the earliest indications that a person is ready to walk is when they pull up on furniture and stand.

2. Developing an adventurous spirit: If your beloved appears out of nowhere on top of the sofa, grinning and poised to take a plunge, it can be a sign that their inner confidence is showing.

3. Exploring: An infant walking while holding onto items is described as "cruising." To walk about the room, they can lean on a table or from one object to another.

4. Weeping, complaining, and irregular sleeping habits: Since walking is such a significant developmental achievement, additional developmental leaps frequently follow it. The brain and body of your infant can be working overtime, resulting in a child that is a little less tolerant.

5. Strolling with help: Offering secure, developmentally appropriate push toys (not baby walkers) might encourage your kid to walk faster.

6. Being able to stand alone: When a baby first stands alone, their expression is frequently one of satisfaction. Babies can now stand unaided because they have the balance and stability to do so.

Conclusion:

Whether you are prepared or not, your child will walk before you realise it. There are several things you can do to help your kid move more easily and develop the muscles they will need to support their body with this new method of moving.

Contact your physician if you are worried about your child's development toward this milestone or think about arranging an Early Intervention examination. However, keep in mind that some infants begin walking sooner than others do, and your child will get there with effort and patience.