The Low-Down on Baby Walkers, Jumpers, and Exersaucers

As parents, these inventions can allow us to have a much-needed break that lets children play, have fun, and stay engaged as we keep an eye them. We understand how hard it is for parents, especially in a pandemic that limits the activities kids can participate in like playtime with friends and also limits having the support of loved ones, friends, and caretakers so we can attend to our own needs. You too need a break from playtime, feeding, diaper changes, and trying to get your baby to nap or to stop crying. We totally get it.

As pediatricians though, we are trained to identify and prevent any potential harm to children, and that unfortunately makes us generally not big fans of either. We do not usually recommend either as these products have been known to cause injuries if not used properly. Overall, exersaucers are more preferable than baby walkers though. We always like to gently remind parents that baby walkers are not recommend by the AAP, as they have been known to cause many injuries from fall and accidents, and allow your child to reach hazardous places they would not be able to without the walker, such as stairs. They can also potentially cause your child to learn motor skills more slowly, as these products can become a crutch to learning how to move independently.

In a perfect world, we would recommend a baby proofed safe space for your baby/toddler which allows them to explore, move around independently and offers this stimulus and entertainment. This will help them reach their motor and other milestones quicker!

To reduce potential risks and keep your baby as safe as possible should you decide to invest in jumpers and exersaucers, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1.     It is important to keep a close watch if your child is in a jumper or exersaucer.

2.     In general, we do not recommend jumpers that are fastened to doorframes or ceilings as they can cave in if not well secured. These can increase the risk of your child hitting their head or knocking their limbs against the wall/door frame or the suspending springs malfunctioning, both causing potential injury. Often, head injury is one risk in the case the unit malfunctions, they fall over, or they hit something nearby while playing.

3.     Check that your child cannot get pinched or stuck, or hurt while in these.

4.     Many of these suspend your child in a position that is not ideal for the hip joint, which can increase the risk of hip dysplasia or dislocation. This is why we recommend limiting the time preferably to under 10-15 minutes twice a day.

5.     For jumpers, the positioning of your child may cause them to lean forward, causing tightened calves, which may make them prone to tip-toeing. Remember, these products also do not exercise the lower body muscles exactly like the movements of jumping, walking, and crawling do!

6.     Make sure you check that your jumper or exersaucer is also not recalled. Some ways to check are through https://kidsindanger.org/, which tracks defective products, or see if it has been recalled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on their personal recall page.  

7.     Make sure your child is not swinging with too much force, as this can place a strain on their neck. In general, try to wait to use these products until your baby is able to sit up and lift/move their head well. Babies generally start to be able to lift their heads around 4 months, but can take up to 8-9 months to be able to rise into a sitting position without help or need support. For exersaucers, it is even better to wait until your baby is pulling to stand.

8.     As always, less is more. As with any toy that makes your child able to move while staying in their current state of development, it can take longer to encourage them to walk independently. We encourage you to work actively with your child towards their next milestone, without using such products, to facilitate proper motor development.