From the Guidelines
Stationary standing centers are not recommended for infants as they can hinder natural development and potentially cause harm to their developing muscles and bones. When considering the development of infants, it is crucial to prioritize activities that promote natural movement and strength development, such as supervised tummy time and floor play, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1.
Key Considerations
- Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended to facilitate development and minimize the risk of positional plagiocephaly, as stated in the 2016 recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment 1.
- The use of stationary standing centers can restrict natural movement patterns, limiting the floor time that babies need for proper development, and potentially leading to delayed motor development.
- These devices position babies in an upright stance before they are developmentally ready, which can cause stress on developing hips, spine, and legs.
Alternative Recommendations
- Infants should have plenty of supervised tummy time and floor play to develop neck, core, and limb strength naturally.
- If parents need a safe place to contain their baby briefly, a playpen with age-appropriate toys on the floor is a better alternative, with the recommendation to limit use of any containment device to short periods (less than 15-20 minutes at a time).
From the Research
Benefits of Stationary Standing Centers for Infants
- Stationary activity centers are promoted as a safer alternative to mobile infant walkers, which have been associated with a considerable risk of major and minor injury and even death 2.
- The use of stationary standing centers can help reduce the risk of falls and other injuries that are common with mobile infant walkers.
- There is no clear benefit from the use of mobile infant walkers, and they can even delay normal motor and mental development 2.
Comparison to Other Safety Measures
- While there are studies on the safety of various products and environments for infants, such as exercycles 3 and home-related injuries 4, 5, the specific benefits of stationary standing centers are highlighted in the context of mobile infant walkers 2.
- The importance of safety design considerations and public education in reducing the incidence of injury is also noted in other studies 3, 5.
Injury Patterns and Prevention
- Falls are a leading cause of nonfatal unintentional injuries for infants, and contusions/abrasions are the most common diagnosis 4.
- The use of stationary standing centers can help prevent falls and other injuries by providing a safe and stable environment for infants to stand and play.
- Education and awareness about safety measures, such as the proper use of stationary standing centers, can help reduce the risk of injury and promote a safe environment for infants 5.