Baby walkers are sitting devices on wheels.
Do not use baby walkers
Baby walkers do not help babies learn to walk. They may actually hold up how long it takes for them to learn.
They are not safe and increase your child's risk of:
- burns and scalds - by allowing the child to knock over hot food, liquids, candles and electrical items
- poisoning - from your child being able to reach dangerous items
- head injuries - from falling down stairs, falling over and crashing into furniture and other objects
Baby walkers allow a child to reach higher than normal. This means they could grab dangerous objects like kettles and medicines. Their risk of burns, scalds and poisoning increases.
How to prevent falls in toddlers and babies
Alternatives to baby walkers
Activity centres and play pens that cannot be moved by your child are safer. They should only be used for short periods of time and under supervision.
Tummy time and crawling
Babies should spend time with you on the floor rolling, crawling and pulling themselves up. This supports their development. Tummy time is very important for your babies development. But supervise them at all times.
How to give your baby tummy time
Baby chairs and seats
There are different types of equipment and devices you can use to carry and seat your baby. Strap babies into all chairs and seats.
These include:
- feeding or high chairs
- car seats
- buggies
- prams
- bouncers
Only use equipment and sitting devices with a 5-way safety harness.
Important
Never use any type of baby chair or seat for your child's routine sleep. Sleeping in a sitting position can make it difficult for your baby to breathe. If they fall asleep in one, remove them and place them on their back to sleep
Cot death: Where your baby should sleep
Baby bouncers
From an early age you can put a baby in a baby bouncer seat or cradle.
Do not leave a baby bouncer or any other sitting device on a raised surface, such as a table or bed. They can move about as the baby bounces. It could topple over. Always keep it on the floor.
