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"Infant Walkers Delay Movement Milestones A new study adds to growing evidence that baby walkers can slow infants' motor skill development, delaying such milestones as crawling, standing alone and walking. Infant walkers are wheeled seats that allow a baby's feet to touch the floor and move the walker around. The seat is surrounded by a frame, and many parents have seen the walkers as a safe way for infants to develop movement skills. But recent research has indicated the devices are neither safe nor useful for encouraging walking and other skills. In fact, serious injuries--usually due to falls down stairs--have been reported, and studies have suggested walkers actually hinder babies' motor skill development. Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics called for a ban on mobile infant walkers in the US."

"The Dangers of Baby Walkers The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) feels that walkers should be banned from the United States because: baby walkers put children at risk for injury and there are no clear benefits from using a baby walker. From 1989 to 1993 there were 11 deaths involving a baby walker. Each year over 8000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for walker-related injuries. Many more children are injured and go to their physician's office. Walker injuries can be serious, such as skull fractures, head injuries causing bleeding inside the head, broken legs and arms, and burns. FACT: Baby walkers do not help your baby to walk earlier. In fact, they often delay walking. FACT: A baby in a walker can move at a speed of 3 feet per second. This is much faster than a baby can move on his own. FACT: Gates do not prevent babies from tumbling down stairs in walkers. Children can take the gate down or the baby walker can knock the gate loose. FACT: Baby walkers put children at increased risk for burns, poisonings, and drownings. This is because the child can move about faster and reach dangerous objects. FACT: Most baby walker injuries happen while at least one parent is at home watching the child."

My daughter started walking at 12 months. She used a walker up until then. No accidents, and there was usually only one parent around, while the other worked. She started talking at 9 months. Delay milestones? I dont agree with that at all. FACT: walkers dont cause accidents....careless people cause accidents. Apparently there were 8000 parents, that didn't properly monitor their children. THATS why those kids ended up hurt. Now that you've done some research, why not research how many children get hurt because of lack of supervision? Or how many kids get hurt when they arent even in a walker? Many times more.....

If you disagree, take that up with the American Academy of Pediatrics. I'm only relaying their message, not mine, it's their quote.

I do disagree with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Walkers are unsafe, yes, without proper supervision. I also disagree with the fact that they are said to delay milestones. I dont want anybody to not buy, or throw away their walkers, just because of what you posted. Sure, there are negative aspects of having your child in a walker. However, with proper supervision and stimulation/ interaction from parents, having a walker shouldn't be so "scary". A walker isn't a babysitter. Parents that think like that are sure to have a child involved in an accident, and are more likely to have a child with developmental challenges. I just want parents to know that it IS okay to have your child use a walker, and what you "quoted", (although good information), doesn't neccessarily hold true for alot of people. I know, I know, dont kill the messenger...sorry PW, not debating you, just that article!

Just a tid bit ive heard frfom my daughteres pediatrician and some revew boards on babies r us... there is some research that suggests that any stationary entertainer (jumper/excersaucer) or walkerr can delay walking somewhat, only for the fact that slightly different muscles are involved ( more of a sit instead of a true stand), and baby may prefer doing what they are doing instead of leaning a new way. My daughter had an excersaucer and went nuts in it. She also gave it up at 5 onths when she crawled, and walked at 7 months. So who knows.