Injuries Caused by Using Walkers for Infants
If you have been insisting on using a walker for your child to help them walk, you should be a bit worried about their walking. Can using a walker help your child walk or can it actually harm their walking ability? Generally, using a walker is not recommended at any stage of development because, in addition to the risks associated with walkers, it can actually delay a child’s walking progress. In this section,we will make you more familiar with the side effects of using walkers for infants.Side Effects of Using a Walker for Children
There is still disagreement on whether or not children should use walkers. Due to natural physiological processes, children will walk eventually. However, parents should not insist that their child walks sooner than they should and instead allow them time to play safely in the walker. Incorrect walking habits caused by a walker may negatively affect the alignment of a child’s leg bones and hip joints.
According to occupational therapy experts, there are several reasons why walkers should not be used:
1.
Negative impact on the alignment of a child’s joints when using a walker2.
Using a walker does not develop positive sensory habits in a child, as only their toes come in contact with the ground while walking. It’s important to set the appropriate height for the walker so the child doesn’t get used to walking on their toes. When children walk in a walker, their posture resembles that of someone about to fall sideways, which encourages toe walking. Therefore, walkers do not significantly help them learn to walk and also pose risks of tipping over and falling.The average age for children to start walking is between 11 to 13 months, and if this period is prolonged, it indicates potential developmental delays. On the other hand, early walkers may end up experiencing back pain and
knee pain later in life. Parents can encourage their child’s walking by motivating them. One effective method is to place a favorite toy at a distance and encourage the child to reach for it.Additionally, parents can stand back with open arms to entice their child to walk toward them.
The age at which a child starts walking is influenced by the genetics they inherit from their parents. Usually, parents can gauge their child’s walking age by comparing it to their own average walking age. Early or late walking can be concerning, as delayed onset of walking may indicate developmental issues that need to be addressed, while walking too early can lead to physiological problems.
Using a walker may increase the strength of a child’s calves, but it does not enhance mobility in their thighs or pelvis, preventing infants from trying to stand on their own. The sensory perception in a child’s foot should be enhanced through
massage and stimulating the heel. Parents should ideally have a standard growth chart to track their child’s developmental progress.Causes of Accidents with Walkers
1. Falls:
The major cause of walker injuries to children is falling with the device. Children may fall out of the walker or tumble down stairs. According to research conducted in Canada, 70% of walker-related injuries result from falls and tumbles down stairs. In this study, out of 36 injured children, 27 had minor injuries, three suffered neck fractures and head injuries, and three incurred dental injuries that could lead to lasting effects on the child’s body. Children often tip over because of lack of balance as their weight is unevenly distributed.
2. Rapid movement:Using a walker enables children to move at speeds greater than normal for their age, allowing them to reach dangerous areas in the home such as other rooms, kitchens, stoves, heaters, electrical sockets, and other hazardous items, as well as outdoor spaces like swimming pools. Due to the lack of awareness of potential dangers, infants aged 6 to 15 months are placed at greater risk.
3. Poisoning:Quick access to harmful cleaning agents, pesticides, and poisons (which should always be kept out of children’s reach) can result in poisoning.
4. Burns:
Burns can also occur due to easy access to the kitchen, heaters, fireplaces, and electrical outlets.Lastly:
Despite the reports of injuries resulting from walker use, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that manufacturers are required to place warning labels on their products. Consequently, in 1994, the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the U.S. mandated that walker manufacturers implement larger framed designs to prevent children from falling. According to gathered statistics, despite all safety directives, not all injuries and risks have been entirely eliminated.
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Causes of Knee Pain
