I've always read in many books and pamphlets that walkers are a HUGE no-no. They say that they are very unsafe because babies could fall or injure themselves while inthem. I've also read that they are bad for their legs. why do people still get them then? Aren't those guidelines there for a reason? I would beitnersted to hear what people's opinions are.
Activity centres (similar to walker but stays still - I didn't know the name for it!) - are these okay? I figured they were seeing they can't move in them. Also if the babies were only in them for short time then it wouldn't damage their legs. Anyway just interested to see what people think.
Cot bumpers - these are also considered highly dangerous yet they are still sold in shops and people use them - why?
Cynic hat on - they're still sold because they aren't illegal, and people buy them. People buy them because they don't know the dangers or they believe they wouldn't be sold if they were really dangerous.
Personally, I think common sense is a wonderful thing so I tend to go with that.
My MCHN tried telling me that DD needed 20 mins of tummy time every day otherwise she would be behind developmentally because her rolling would be delayed. DD hated tummy time so I didn't push it. She was one of the earliest rollers in my Mothers Group.
There's also a difference of opinion on sterilising bottles. My doctor told me that sterilising is not really necessary but they recommend you do it to cover off the people who think that a quick rinse of the bottle is going to do the job.
Anyhow, to get to your point. I think perhaps experts/professionals say walkers should not be used to cover off the people who would otherwise put their baby in a walker for hours on end. I have one and it's been a god send. I can do a few chores around the house and DD has great fun following me. Since she's been using it, she's also seemed to work out that she can get from A to B and will crawl down the hallway whereas before she tended just to stay in one room. Having said that obviously I only let her into the walker for short spells - 20 mins at a time max. I'm not immune to the recommendations from experts but I think moderation is the key!
The answer really is that there is money to be paid. And it's not just unsafe toy items - I am appalled by the food options out there for babies, toddlers and kids, that are marketed as healthy and just aren't. Juice should not be part of a child's diet yet there are baby juices on supermarket shelves. Baby or children yoghurts and cheeses and goodness knows what elses are marketed as healthier, but are usually higher in sugar etc. And I could go on.... but I'll step off my soap box now!!
I honestly dont know how a child under normal circumstances could fall out of a walker...we are talking about those big plastic things with 4 wide wheels on them that they cruise around in arent we?
How can that fall over unless it is going down the stairs or similar?
When we went to buy a JJ KMart said they dont sell them anymore for Health adn Safety reasons because one child had apparently injured them selves in it by the spring falling on their head. there is NO WAY that if it is installed and used correctly that that could happen. Target sells them though (and I found out later that they are actually owned by teh same company anyhow)
I think I agree with Fiona...common sense is the key. If you have older children, teach them not to push the younger one into the wall! lol I can see how the walkers and the JJ for that matter can affect their rolling ankles etc when walking, so moderation is the key. Charlotte LOVES her JJ and isnt having any trouble when she is on her feet without it.
WRT cot bumpers I think that all came about with SIDS etc and the air circulation in the cot...and the ties etc being strangulation ahzards. Again, COMMON SENSE!! lol Cot bumpers also stop(help stop) them from getting their feet/arms/legs caught in between teh bars of the cot if they roll around in their sleep. I personally would rather them there than have charlotte get stuck and twist her leg or something (and she always gets her feet out of the cot lol)
Just do what you think is best, and if you can see detrimental effects then curb the useage
MR For the record, baby juice is stoopid! Have you seen the ad for Berri Kids Juice? They have put 50% juice and 50% water in a bottle and are selling it as healthy for kids because it has 1/2 the sugar of normal juice!!
i thought the thing with the walkers was due to parents not watching their children and the babies actually going down steps etc, the newer models are wider at the base as well to stop bubs getting into little spots, i do remember hearing of babies going of the edges of porches and down steps in the walkers and thought this is why they class them as dangerous.
as for cot bumpers i used these when my bubs got much older and were able to lift their heads so if they got up against them they could move away as i think it is a suffocation issue.
As I understand it, there are two issues with walkers. One is that there have been many incidences of kids falling down stairs etc. In fact Choice did a study a while ago on the top ten most dangerous products for kids and both walkers and JJs were right up the top of the list. Interestingly enough toy boxes were also on the list(fingers caught in the lid I think was the main injury).
But the other thing with walkers is that they are putting kids in a position they are not ready to be in (ie standing with feet on the floor). I have read in a few places that this can cause issues down the track with the child, although I can't actually remember the exact problem. I'll have another read and post an update if I remember.
Walkers and other "unsafe" baby things
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Have you seen the ad for Berri Kids Juice? They have put 50% juice and 50% water in a bottle and are selling it as healthy for kids because it has 1/2 the sugar of normal juice!! 
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