Careful Considerations

Keeping Babies Safe and Sound

By Penny Powell

The process of purchasing baby furniture and other baby gear can be overwhelming for parents. With so many different types of baby items available on the market, how do parents go about making the safest purchases for their children?

"Being careful [about] what you purchase is the first step in preventing injuries with baby equipment," says Debra Holtzman, a nationally recognized child safety and health expert and author of The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Home Safety (Sentient Publications, 2004). "Look for the JPMA [Juvenile Products Manufacturer Association] certification label. And when using baby equipment, always follow the manufacturer's instructions on assembly, care and use. I recommend that parents try to shop at stores where the staff are knowledgeable about the products they sell so they can answer questions and provide guidance."

Baby walkers can prove dangerous to your little one, according to Holtzman. "Each year, an average of two children die as a result of baby walker-related injuries," she says. "In 2002, nearly 4,600 children ages 4 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for baby-walker related injuries. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommend not using wheeled baby walkers at all."

Instead, Holtzman recommends a stationary activity center. "Use it only for brief periods," she advises. "Your baby needs the exercise of crawling to develop coordination and strength in her arms and legs."

Some experts are against the use of baby jumpers. Mary Ann Musa, a chiropractor and registered dietitian from Musa Chiropractic in Orange Park, Fla., is one of them. She believes jumpers can interfere with the development of a young baby's spine. Just as she believes babies should not be encouraged to walk before they crawl or sit up before necessary, she says jumpers can do an injustice to a baby's spine, too. However, if a jumper is used, be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and ensure that it is sturdy and secure to prevent falls.

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