From the Guidelines
Stationary activity centers for infants are not recommended due to potential delays in motor development and safety risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the importance of supervised tummy time to facilitate development and minimize the risk of positional plagiocephaly, as stated in the 2016 updated recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment 1. Key points to consider include:
- Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended to facilitate development and prevent positional plagiocephaly 1.
- Restricting natural movement patterns and limiting floor time can delay motor development and pose safety risks, particularly with walkers which have been associated with falls and injuries.
- Instead of stationary activity centers, alternatives such as supervised tummy time, floor play, and age-appropriate toys that encourage reaching, grasping, and exploration are recommended for infant development.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends against baby walkers due to injury risks, and suggests that activity centers should be used sparingly, if at all, for no more than 15-20 minutes at a time.
- For optimal development, infants need freedom to move naturally and practice developmental skills like rolling, sitting, crawling, and eventually pulling to stand and walking. It is essential to prioritize evidence-based recommendations, such as those from the American Academy of Pediatrics, to ensure the best possible outcomes for infant development and safety, as outlined in the 2016 updated recommendations 1 and supported by the expert panel on integrated guidelines for cardiovascular health and risk reduction in children and adolescents 1.
From the Research
Stationary Activity Centers for Infants
- Stationary activity centers are recommended as a safer alternative to mobile infant walkers 2, 3
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends promoting stationary activity centers as a safer option due to the considerable risk of major and minor injury, and even death, associated with mobile infant walkers 2
- A study found that the introduction of stationary activity centers as an alternative to mobile infant walkers, along with the implementation of a revised voluntary infant walker standard, led to a marked decrease in infant walker-related injuries 4
Benefits of Stationary Activity Centers
- Stationary activity centers can help prevent injuries associated with mobile infant walkers, such as falls down stairs and head injuries 2, 4
- They can also help promote normal motor and mental development in infants, unlike mobile infant walkers which can delay development 2
- Stationary activity centers can provide a safe and stable environment for infants to play and explore, reducing the risk of injury and promoting healthy development 3
Prevalence of Stationary Activity Center Use
- A study found that stationary activity centers were used in infant classrooms, with each classroom averaging three pieces of equipment used during observations 5
- However, the study also found that confinement devices, including stationary activity centers, were used for an average of 30 minutes or longer per child during the observation period, which may be a concern for infant physical activity and mobility 5