Date Presented 03/26/20
The influence of infant equipment (walkers, jumpers, exersaucers, high chairs, etc.) use on early motor development is unclear. The results of this study suggest that greater use of equipment during infancy is related to fewer motor behaviors that represent developmentally important milestones. OT is well positioned to provide caregivers and their infants with resources to help establish habits and routines that support motor development through occupational engagement.
Primary Author and Speaker: Bryan Gee
Contributing Authors: Hillary Swann, Nicki Aubuchon-Endsley, Michele Brumley
INTRODUCTION: The influence of infant equipment (i.e., walkers, jumpers, exersaucers, high chairs, etc.) use on early motor development is not clear.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is to characterize infant equipment use, and examine the relationship between equipment use and motor milestones during the first 18 months.
METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five pregnant women were recruited during their third trimester and returned at 10, 14, and 18 months postnatally. Participants completed maternal-report measures of infant equipment use and motor milestones at each postnatal session.
RESULTS: Findings indicate that infant equipment use occurred at each age, with less than 10% of moms reporting no equipment use at 18 months. Infants were placed into equipment while awake on a daily basis for a mean of 139±55 (SD) minutes at 10 months, 118±45 minutes at 14 months, and 107±49 minutes at 18 months. The relation between infant equipment use and motor milestones varied across age and equipment type. Specifically, at 10 months, exersaucer use was negatively correlated with all 4’s crawling (r=-.46, p <.05) and unsupported standing (r=-.38, p <.05), such that infants who did not engage in all 4’s crawling and unsupported standing had higher durations of exersaucer use. Similar relationships were seen at 10 months with high chair use and unsupported standing (r=-.34, p <.05), and at 14 months with walker use and quad posture (r=-.43, p <.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that greater use of equipment during infancy is related to fewer motor behaviors that represent developmentally-important milestones. The findings provide emerging evidence regarding the negative impact of equipment during infancy on motor development. Occupational therapy professional are well positioned to provide education, training, and resources to help establish habits and routines for caregivers and their infants that support motor development through occupational engagement without the need of continual use of equipment.
References
Bartlett, D. J., & Fanning, J. E. K. (2003). Relationships of equipment use and play positions to motor development at eight months corrected age of infants born preterm. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 15(1), 8-15.
Pin, T., Eldridge, B., & Galea, M. P. (2007). A review of the effects of sleep position, play position, and equipment use on motor development in infants. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 49(11), 858-867.
Abbott, A. L., & Bartlett, D. J. (2001). Infant motor development and equipment use in the home. Child: Care, Health and Development, 27(3), 295-306.
