Midwives' knowledge of, attitudes to and practice with baby walkers.

OBJECTIVE

to determine community midwives' knowledge, attitudes and practice with regard to baby walkers.

DESIGN

survey, using questionnaires.

SETTING

primary care, East Midlands, UK.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty-five community midwives participating in a cluster randomised controlled trial to reduce baby walker use.

FINDINGS: there was a 94% response. Seventy per cent of the midwives, felt that it was part of their role to discuss baby walkers, and 62% felt that giving advice about walkers before birth acceptable. The midwives had a limited knowledge of baby walker injury risk and only one midwife had any baby walker-related health education material. Three attitude scales were computed and indicated that the midwives held a negative view of baby walkers and were positive about baby walker health education, believing that parents hold a positive attitude to baby walkers. Those midwives who had used a walker with their own children were more positive about baby walkers and less positive about baby walker health education.

KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: midwives are willing to be involved in baby walker health education during pregnancy. However, they require evidence-based knowledge and materials rather than relying on personal experience.