I’m entering a competition!
Angel is running a competition on her blog with prizes! Since the time for Babyice to arrive is quickly approaching…I figure I am going to need all the help I can get!
Angel has asked for the entrants to write a blog post about an old wives tale and whether they think it has any relevance today. I was a little stumped and went along to the page of parenting myths she pointed out to help us along a little (find it here). Finally I found one that I thought I need to talk about since I could have made a mistake with this one myself (being a naive first time mom!)
Myth: A mobile infant walker will help your child learn to walk faster.
I mentioned on my blog previously that I wanted to get a walking ring for Babyice. I was surprised by the comments I received! I had no idea that walking rings could be so dangerous! So dangerous in fact that they have been banned in Canada! They can even impair your baby’s learning to walk as explained in this article. Since being enlightened to these facts (thank you for the links, Angel!) I have heard one horror story after another about accidents that have happened to infants in walking rings.
One mother told me how her son pulled a kettle full of hot water over onto himself! This was obviously something I had not thought through. I guess I assumed that walking rings are safe because they are so widely used and sold freely. Why would they sell things in baby stores that aren’t safe for your baby? It doesn’t make much sense!
Walking rings give your child almost unlimited mobility. Every tired, overworked mother knows you cannot watch your child each and every second…and that is all it takes. One second for disaster to strike. There are just so many dangers in and around our homes. My home is not even nearly baby proofed and once Babyice starts crawling we’re going to need to make some serious changes around here. I can only imagine how many children have walked into swimming pools in a walking ring *shudder*
I have since decided that I do not want to get a walking ring for Babyice and also advised a few people who have asked if they could buy me one that I would prefer it if they considered a different gift as I do not want one. I hope you’ll read the articles and reconsider getting a walking ring.
I’m sure all the very clever moms that read my blog already knew all of this, but maybe I have helped teach someone something.
Disclaimer: Please do not think I am saying you are a bad parent if you want to get a walking ring or have used one. I am sure many mothers have used walking rings safely and without incident. This is an individual choice each parent has to make. Personally, I would rather be safe than sorry.
I agree that it is wise to limit the amount of mayhem a baby can cause using a walking ring, but how cool it would be if adults could use them. I know the dangers of WRs, but doesn’t Canada take after the Nanny State, and ban everthing? Maple Syrup is now considered a controlled substance- you need a Physicians Release Form in order to have a waffle, which is what I’m doing now….
Good luck, Lady!
good luck with the competition willb holding thumbs 4 u
i also never used a walking ring for my daughter -dr advised sometimes we put them in there too early and it can damage their little legs (specially if they are little fat babies) their bodies are too heavy for their little legs can cause the bones to grow incorrectly and bandiness
Thanx for entering babe! Like the piece!
And remember – anyone who enters after being referred by you could win you a prize!
those are really nice books, i have written endorsements for a few of her books so when you get them look for me inside. – good luck
“so when you get them” … That’s quite optimistic
i was adamant Kid was not going to have walking ring – i’d heard they discourage babies from crawling, and that crawling is a VITAL milestone (helps with maths orientation later on in life or something*) and Bf’s mother bought one for him, knowing i didn’t want one.
I made her keep it at her house, but even the few hours a week he spent in it affected him. The walking ring wasn’t adjusted properly for his height, which meant he walked on his tippy-toes in it. This meant that he wasn’t used to proper flat-footed walking, and it took him AGES to adjust and learn to walk properly, without walking on his toes.
I really do hate her a little bit for it, i wont lie.
*I never crawled, which MUST explain why i SUCKED at maths.
Hi I am a physiotherapist specialising in child development and babies. I cant agree more walking rings arent jus’t dangerous causing injuries and burns but are bad for their development. they develop poor shoulder and hip stability and control resulting in poor posture. this will manifest later in school with poor hand writing and poor posture presenting as ADHD and a learning disability. they also struggle to learn bilateral hand funcytion and activities which require complex trubk movements. I have als treated a few patients that required surgical correction of their feet for being toe walkers for being in walking rings. IT SHOULD BE BANNED ALL OVER THE WORLD