5 Popular Baby Products That Can Harm Development

Many parents buy baby products that seem helpful but actually slow down their baby's development. Babies are born unable to move, but they have a natural drive to learn. They start by moving their arms and legs, then crawling on their bellies, creeping on hands and knees, standing, and finally walking.

Unfortunately, many modern baby products interfere with this process. The truth is: these products are not for babies. They are convenience items for adults. Here are five common devices that can hold your baby back.

1. Baby Walkers

Baby walkers might seem like they help babies move, but they do the opposite. Walkers keep babies in a sitting or standing position before they are ready, preventing them from crawling and creeping. Crawling strengthens muscles and builds brain connections needed for walking.

Babies don’t need a walker to move. Instead, let them play on the floor where they can move freely and build real strength. A baby in a walker is stuck and unable to crawl, creep, or even get out without help. If we wouldn’t put ourselves in a device that limits our movement, why do it to our babies?

2. Playpens

Playpens keep babies in a tiny space with little room to move. They are marketed as a safe place for babies, but they act more like a cage.

My father, Glenn Doman, realized how harmful playpens were after raising three kids. He once said, “I had to buy a new playpen for each of you because you all broke out.” That should tell us something. Babies don’t belong in playpens. They need space to explore, crawl, and develop properly.

Glenn Doman spent his life studying child development and creating methods that help children reach their full potential. He recognized that restricting movement in early childhood limits brain growth and overall development.

3. Swaddling

Swaddling is popular today, but it severely limits a baby’s ability to move. Babies naturally kick, stretch, and roll while sleeping, movements that help them build strength and coordination.

We wouldn’t tolerate being wrapped up tightly and unable to move so why should our babies? Glenn Doman taught that babies need as much freedom to move as possible to develop their physical and neurological abilities. Give them the chance to move freely and develop their strength.

4. Strollers

Strollers are made for adults, not babies. They are convenient for parents, but they stop babies from moving. If a baby is strapped into a stroller for long periods, they lose valuable opportunities to strengthen their muscles and practice walking.

My wife and I only used a stroller when absolutely necessary, like in airports. Instead, we carried our babies in a fabric carrier that let them sit on our hips. This traditional design, used in many cultures, supports hip development and allows babies to move more naturally.

Once babies can walk, let them walk. It helps build their muscles, improve breathing, and even support language development. Babies who walk more also learn to run earlier, which strengthens their lungs and improves speech development. Glenn Doman emphasized that movement is directly linked to brain development, and the more babies move, the smarter and healthier they become.

5. Handheld Screens

Screens cause serious problems for young children. Studies show that kids under three should avoid screens altogether. Handheld screens, in particular, limit movement and keep kids sedentary for long periods.

Children today move far less than previous generations, and it’s affecting their development. Less movement means weaker muscles, poor coordination, and slower brain growth. Glenn Doman spent decades proving that movement and brain growth are closely connected. Kids need to move to build strong, capable brains. Instead of screens, let kids crawl, walk, and explore the world around them.

The Bigger Problem

Baby products have become big business. Fifty years ago, strollers were cheap and simple. Today, some cost $700 or more, and brand names matter. It’s only a matter of time before luxury car brands start selling strollers for thousands of dollars.

At the same time, childhood obesity, diabetes, and developmental delays are on the rise. We have created these problems by making babies less active. Glenn Doman believed that the best thing we can do for our children is to give them space to move, explore, and develop naturally.

For more information, check out Fit Baby, Smart Baby, Your Baby and How to Teach Your Baby to Swim, both available on Amazon.