Baby walker safety - baby's minder or parent's problem? A qualitative analysis of clients' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding baby walker use

Objective To investigate the range of knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents regarding baby walkers. Design A qualitative study using a focus group approach. Setting Three focus groups were held in community mother and toddler drop-in centres, and one in a hospital antenatal clinic. Methods Four focus groups were held over a two-month period in 2000. Parents from areas with differing levels of deprivation (including walker users and nonusers) and antenatal parents were recruited. Data were thematically analysed. Revisiting the data for conflicting evidence tested any themes. Results Some parents believe that walkers could help a child to walk and to build up strength in the legs and that walkers must be safe if British Safety Standards have been met. Other parents want to make life a little easier for themselves and appear to be prepared to take a calculated risk with their child’s safety in order to achieve this. Walkers themselves are acknowledged by most parents as being involved in accidents but the blame is attributed to lack of supervision. Most nursery equipment alternatives are seen to have safety problems in their own right, but there is some support for engaging in floor play with children. All the above themes were identified in the discussions of both affluent and deprived walker users and nonusers. Conclusions Any education aimed at reducing walker-related injuries should include an explanation of ways to facilitate motor development, raise awareness of safety standards for walkers, acknowledge the difficulties of life with an active baby and emphasise the need for passive safety measures.