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Expert Q&A

	By John Dorsey, M.D. Pediatrician

We are considering purchasing a trampoline with sides for our daughter who is almost 2 years old. Is this OK?

I suggest you don't get that trampoline. There are a number of reasons that have led the Academy of Pediatrics to recommend that no child under the age of 6 use a trampoline. That goes for ones with or without sides. The risk of brain and body injuries is staggering.

The statistics say that one in five children who use a trampoline will end up in the emergency room. It's a lot like diving into shallow water. It's an accident waiting to happen.

I have seen too many of these injuries to recommend a trampoline in any case other than for professionally supervised gymnastics training. Even most schools have eliminated their trampoline use for gym class.

My suggestion, if you haven't guessed by now, is to hold off on that trampoline for now. You might want to go online and do some research into trampoline injuries and re-assess your plan when your daughter gets a little older.

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