When it comes to playground safety, going down a slide with your baby or toddler on your lap may seem like a sweet gesture – after all, if they are scared to go down independently, it’s logical to want to help them.
That’s why it’s important to call this hidden danger out, since it’s not very intuitive! Going down a slide with your baby or young child is risky, as it is one of the most common causes of an entirely preventable leg fracture!
Here’s why:
When your child goes down a slide without you, they can adjust their body if their foot or leg gets stuck, continuing down safely. However, when an adult is with a child, and the child’s leg gets caught, the force of the adult’s weight ends up proceeding forward while the child’s leg is still stuck, causing the leg to break.
If you have gone down a slide with your child before, this is no reason to feel guilty. It takes a village to share wisdom, and we can do better as we learn more over time!
Next time you head to the playground, and your little one does not feel confident to go down the slide. It’s best to honor their reservations and let them try when they’re ready – on their own!