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Are walkers harmful? Orthopedist answers

Parents often ask us the question: “Can a walker be used?” when visiting a pediatric orthopedist. And although in medicine in general, and in orthopedics in particular, there are many topics for disputes between doctors, but as for the use of walkers, jumpers, etc. devices, orthopedists around the world have long come to an unequivocal answer - walkers do much more harm than good.

Learning, the beginning of walking is a very important stage for any child, and parents are well aware of this - after all, one of the most significant milestones in the development of a baby, along with the first word, the first smile, the first “coo”, are the first steps, which rejoice, which they remember and try to capture in photos and videos. However, in order for a child to walk steadily, a huge transformation must take place in his body from a lying to an upright man. And this transformation involves a whole range of organs and systems - from the brain and the vestibular apparatus, to bones and muscles. Moreover, this whole process should take place naturally, one might say “naturally” and gradually - it is then that all the organs and systems of the little man will be able to properly prepare, develop and “ripen” for the transition to the walking stage.

So why can't a walker be used at this stage? After all, it would seem that by placing the baby in this device, we help him get on his feet. In fact, everything is exactly the opposite.

Baby walkers cannot be used because:

• The natural development of the vestibular apparatus responsible for the sense of balance and position in space is significantly inhibited. In the walker, the child is fixed and he will not fall, which is harmful. For the natural and harmonious development of the baby, it is very important to form a sense of balance. To do this, the baby first learns to sit, then crawl, then stand with support, and finally takes the first independent steps. The use of walkers deprives the body of the opportunity to self-learn, as if skipping important stages.
• The child does not learn the instinct of self-preservation, because the walker prevents him from falling and creates a false sense of security. At the same time, the fall of a baby is a natural process of learning to walk, a kind of “tuning” of the vestibular apparatus, and parents should not worry about watching their baby get up and fall “on the ass”. The musculoskeletal system of children is very “soft” and “flexible”, nature has already provided mechanisms for protecting against injuries. Therefore, children in the process of learning to walk can and should fall - this is a natural process that is very important for the formation of the vestibular apparatus and the development of a sense of self-preservation.
• High risk of injury - a kind of continuation of the previous paragraph. In the walker, the child is fixed, the presence of wheels allows him to develop greater speed and crash into obstacles without consequences. This is also very bad. Firstly, a child in a walker is completely devoid of a sense of fear - he simply does not have such experience, while babies developing without adaptations know what walls, a door jamb, corners are. They have already "stuffed bumps" and have the experience, which in the future can significantly reduce the risk of injury in natural life. For example, we repeatedly observed at receptions how children at full speed crashed into a table, into a door jamb - in the vast majority of cases, these kids were in walkers for a long time. And, secondly, walkers still do not provide sufficient stability, and the presence of wheels and the absence of fear of injury in a child can lead to sad consequences. Accelerating to a speed of 8-9km / h (if there is where to accelerate), babies can get more serious injuries than in a natural fall.
• Stimulation to go earlier than necessary. Let's explain. In order not to get enough serious problems with the back at the age of 20-40 years, it is necessary in infancy to correctly and progressively go through all the stages of development of the musculoskeletal system. In fact, the later the child starts walking, the better (of course, we are talking about the norm here, and we do not mean the presence of any pathologies), since the child later begins to receive vertical loads on the spine, which at this age is not yet has fully formed natural shock-absorbing bends. Thus, at first the child learns to sit - muscles and ligaments are strengthened, then to crawl - muscles and ligaments are strengthened, then slowly walk with support - again, muscles and ligaments are strengthened. Those. By the time the musculoskeletal system is READY to accept vertical loads, the child begins to walk, which in the future minimizes the occurrence of any radiculitis and other back problems. The use of jumpers, walkers and other similar devices stimulates the child to start walking earlier, "jumping" the necessary period of natural strengthening of muscles and ligaments. And, as a result, satisfied parents that their baby began to walk earlier than their peers, but the potential problems with the child’s back from childhood in the future.

We have tried to explain in sufficient detail why baby walkers do much more harm than good. In principle, they have only one benefit - the child "frees the hands" of the mother, and they cope very well with this role. Of course, one cannot speak of a complete and unconditional ban on walkers. If the baby will be in them for no more than 15 minutes, no more than two or three times a day, for example, when the mother wants to drink tea or go to the toilet, then they will not bring harm. If abused, there will be problems.

If you still have any questions, you can make an appointment with an orthopedist here.

Always yours, "Children's Doctor".

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Baby walkers: pros and cons

Reviewer Kovtun Tatiana Anatolievna

29101 views

September 15, 2021

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The feeling when you enter a children's room and find that your baby is standing in a crib is something incredible. Just yesterday, he tumbled to one side when trying to sit down on his own, and today he is already standing and even trying to squat on his legs funny. Very soon he will take his first steps. And here the mothers of the whole world are divided into two militant camps. Some, in an attempt to help the baby, and at the same time unload themselves, are puzzled by the choice of walkers, while others simply let the development process take its course. We do not join any camp, but simply present the facts regarding the pros and cons of walkers.

What is a walker

A baby walker is a device that allows a baby who is not yet able to walk to move without the help of parental hands. They are a frame on wheels, inside of which a special “saddle” for a child is fixed; the child can, sitting in the saddle and pushing off the floor with his feet, ride around the apartment. Walkers are successfully used in the treatment of cerebral palsy (infantile cerebral palsy), and are also intended for older children (1-3 years old) who cannot walk on their own.

Advantages of walkers

1. Walkers were invented, like most children's modern gadgets, to relieve mom and dad. They make it possible to calmly drink tea, do household chores and even work without worrying about the baby.
2. Walkers move the baby from a horizontal to a vertical position, thereby expanding the possibilities of learning about the world around.
3. Positive emotions for the baby. It's so cool to explore the world around! And when all this is accompanied by sound and light effects, just thirty-three pleasures.
4. Security. A beloved child will not fit into an outlet, will not fall, will not fit into a cupboard with dishes, and so on, because it is limited in movement and space.

Disadvantages of baby walkers

1. Lack of motivation in the baby. If there is a device that helps you stand on your own two feet and even run, the incentive to learn to do it yourself disappears: why? After all, my mother will put me in a walker, and I will run!
2. The load on the fragile apparatus of the legs can lead to a number of problems.
3. Walkers can affect the function of the cerebellum. A baby in a walker quickly gets used to the fact that when walking he has support from all sides. As a result, the functions of the cerebellum, which is responsible for the coordination of movements, are formed incorrectly. And then, starting to walk, the baby begins to fall in all directions and fall.
4. Frequent use of a walker can hinder a baby's motor development. Children who are often placed in walkers start walking 3-4 weeks later on average, and the gait is characterized by uncertainty and springiness.
5. Loss of sense of caution. If the baby does not fall, does not encounter obstacles, then he simply will not develop the instinct of self-preservation.
6. Risk of injury if the baby is in the walker without supervision.

Orthopedic Warning

• Incorrect position of the feet when walking (in a walker, the child gets used to walking on tiptoe)
• Overstrain of the back muscles (constant vertical position and inability to change it)

As you can see, walkers have their pros and cons.

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