Most parents and parents to be have heard of using a baby walker. In fact, most parents will consider purchasing a baby walker at some point for their child. When considering the purchase of a baby walker, parents cite many reasons for their use including advancing walking age, exercise and safety. However, even though there may be advantages to having a baby walker, recent studies have posed the question of whether or not they are actually safe for a child to use. Is a baby walker safe? The answer is it depends on the type of baby walker and how well its use is supervised.

A baby walker in and of itself is not particularly unsafe but there have been tens of thousands of reported accidents involving a baby walker. Why? A baby walker allows a child mobility when the baby would not otherwise have as much. Because of this the baby can get into situations that can be dangerous very quickly. If you have your back turned for a second, the child can take the baby walker and get into something very quickly. Also, because the baby walker is mobile, there is a risk of the child falling down stairs or tripping over something which accounts for the majority of accidents and even deaths that have occurred with the use of a baby walker.

Parents claim that a baby walker will allow the child to learn how to walk faster. However, studies indicate that this is not the case and may even delay the progress of walking by several weeks. However, there are other advantages parents cite including being able to put their baby in a safe place while they can do something else with their hands such as do chores and make dinner. But, the baby walker is not entirely safe and poses some risk. Newer models, though, have addressed some of the safety concerns and issues that have occurred in the past. This does not mean parents can let their child sit unsupervised in a baby walker or that a baby walker is a good investment but they are safer nowadays.

It is important when buying a baby walker that you get a newer model that has been already modified to address the safety concerns from falls and other issues that have occurred with babies. The primary change that has occurred in the past ten years regarding the baby walker is that they are made wider. This is so that the baby walker will not fit through most doorways or be able to fall down most stairs. However, if you have a non standard door frame or if your stair way is wide, this may not matter at all. So, be careful when purchasing a baby walker.

There are other options to a baby walker that are just as enjoyable, will keep the child entertained and will pose no risk to the child. There are types of baby walker that do not allow a baby to be mobile at all. They look and act very similarly to a baby walker except the baby can bounce or rotate in the seat only where the base is located. It does not allow the unit itself to travel anywhere. This is a much safer option to a baby walker and one that is available in all the same places. Most pediatricians recommend this type rather than the traditional style of baby walker.

If you do decide on getting a baby walker make sure you have a newer model that meets the latest safety requirements. Also, if you decide on purchasing a baby walker, never leave the baby unattended in it even for a moment. It may seem safe but it may not be. Keep a very close eye on any child who is in a baby walker. If you think a baby walker is not that great of an idea, though, there are other options that will allow you some hands free time to yourself without putting the baby into any danger. Using activity centers and baby discs are the ideal alternative to a baby walker. It gives all the benefits of a baby walker without the risk of allowing the child such mobility.