Walkers are illegal in Canada but...

[curlykate]

okay I knew I was right - my MIL bought Isabella a walker when she's over there and I thought I read somewhere that these are dangerous. But then everybody has convinced me otherwise. Why are the illegal in Canada?

Yes, they are not only banned but illegal to possess and distribute!

https://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/child-enfant/equip/walk-marche-eng.php

My gym's daycare still has one, but I won't rat them out, cause he loves it and it's the only place he can use one, LOL

Guilty. I own one. And I live in Canada. It was "imported" by my sister's friend. When they were done with it, she got it. When she was done with it, I got it. Illegal all around! Don't rat me out!

 

[AppleBlossom]

Also walkers are very very bad for a child foot and hip development. They teach them to walk on the ends of their toes with their knees and hips bent which is not good for them.

I agree, my LO used a walker and sometimes walks on her tiptoes even now and she hasn't used it since she was 9 months (she's now 2.5)

 

[special_kala]

Also walkers are very very bad for a child foot and hip development. They teach them to walk on the ends of their toes with their knees and hips bent which is not good for them.

I agree, my LO used a walker and sometimes walks on her tiptoes even now and she hasn't used it since she was 9 months (she's now 2.5)

Thats normal though isnt it? Dont kids run on their toes alot anyway?

 

[leoniebabey]

Also walkers are very very bad for a child foot and hip development. They teach them to walk on the ends of their toes with their knees and hips bent which is not good for them.

I agree, my LO used a walker and sometimes walks on her tiptoes even now and she hasn't used it since she was 9 months (she's now 2.5)

i was told it's fine if you put the walker on the lowest setting so they actually have to stand up.
But i think it only causes significant problems if babies are left in there for a long time. I barely use it tbh, he always gets up to mischeif in it

 

[AppleBlossom]

Also walkers are very very bad for a child foot and hip development. They teach them to walk on the ends of their toes with their knees and hips bent which is not good for them.

I agree, my LO used a walker and sometimes walks on her tiptoes even now and she hasn't used it since she was 9 months (she's now 2.5)

Thats normal though isnt it? Dont kids run on their toes alot anyway?

I was told by my MW that babies who use walkers tend to walk on their toes. G only walks flat footed when she has shoes on. It coud be a general thing though but I think walkers do encourage tiptoe walking

 

[Tegans Mama]

Also walkers are very very bad for a child foot and hip development. They teach them to walk on the ends of their toes with their knees and hips bent which is not good for them.

I agree, my LO used a walker and sometimes walks on her tiptoes even now and she hasn't used it since she was 9 months (she's now 2.5)

i was told it's fine if you put the walker on the lowest setting so they actually have to stand up.
But i think it only causes significant problems if babies are left in there for a long time. I barely use it tbh, he always gets up to mischeif in it

That's the point though, some babies don't stand up and when they learn to "walk" they aren't actually walking they are just scooting. So their muscles develop incorrectly and their knees and hips are weak, so when they actually do walk they find it a lot harder because they expect the support of the fabric seat bit.

 

[aliss]

okay I knew I was right - my MIL bought Isabella a walker when she's over there and I thought I read somewhere that these are dangerous. But then everybody has convinced me otherwise. Why are the illegal in Canada?

Yes, they are not only banned but illegal to possess and distribute!

https://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/child-enfant/equip/walk-marche-eng.php

My gym's daycare still has one, but I won't rat them out, cause he loves it and it's the only place he can use one, LOL

Guilty. I own one. And I live in Canada. It was "imported" by my sister's friend. When they were done with it, she got it. When she was done with it, I got it. Illegal all around! Don't rat me out!

Transporting and harbouring an illegal device, to wit: a baby walker (sorry cop humour, that's how it would look in front of the judge).

 

[leoniebabey]

Also walkers are very very bad for a child foot and hip development. They teach them to walk on the ends of their toes with their knees and hips bent which is not good for them.

I agree, my LO used a walker and sometimes walks on her tiptoes even now and she hasn't used it since she was 9 months (she's now 2.5)

i was told it's fine if you put the walker on the lowest setting so they actually have to stand up.
But i think it only causes significant problems if babies are left in there for a long time. I barely use it tbh, he always gets up to mischeif in it

That's the point though, some babies don't stand up and when they learn to "walk" they aren't actually walking they are just scooting. So their muscles develop incorrectly and their knees and hips are weak, so when they actually do walk they find it a lot harder because they expect the support of the fabric seat bit.

My LO doesnt tend to move in it much, he just stands and bangs his hands on the tray then see's something he shouldnt have and tried to make a quick escape when he thinks im not watching

 

[louandivy]

Also walkers are very very bad for a child foot and hip development. They teach them to walk on the ends of their toes with their knees and hips bent which is not good for them.

I agree, my LO used a walker and sometimes walks on her tiptoes even now and she hasn't used it since she was 9 months (she's now 2.5)

Thats normal though isnt it? Dont kids run on their toes alot anyway?

I was told by my MW that babies who use walkers tend to walk on their toes. G only walks flat footed when she has shoes on. It coud be a general thing though but I think walkers do encourage tiptoe walking

Sorry I just have to say that I imagine everyone to look like their avatar so to me Matt Cardle is VERY knowledgable when it comes to parenting

 

[Phantom]

okay I knew I was right - my MIL bought Isabella a walker when she's over there and I thought I read somewhere that these are dangerous. But then everybody has convinced me otherwise. Why are the illegal in Canada?

I fell down the stairs in one as a baby. To this day I have a crooked toe.

 

[leoniebabey]

im shocked at the amount of people that have actually fell down the stairs.
i'd never heard of anyone here falling down them

 

[smokey]

Also walkers are very very bad for a child foot and hip development. They teach them to walk on the ends of their toes with their knees and hips bent which is not good for them.

Not in every case, my walker was thought to be one of my main atributes to not only walking with SB but walking at 8 months.

Then your case is quite rare and you were very lucky! 75% of children with SB can walk to some extent. Medical research has proven recently that walkers can hinder development of hip and knee joints and cause children to theoretically have to learn to walk twice. Physiotherapists are VERY set against them now and even go as far as asking WHY you have one if you have a child with a physical disability (i.e SB)

Shows how much times have changed and research has come along, it was the hospital that put me in one and the nurse that incouraged it so my mum then got one as well.

 

[AlwaysPraying]

But if you really think about it these walkers are a little absurd. I mean really, putting wheels on a devise used for a baby who has little spine control? Why should these kids be mobile in that way?

 

[ttc_lolly]

you do know why warning labels were put on things right?

like "do not iron clothes whilest on body" ?

because someone actually DID that, everytime a new warning label is added to a product its because some idiot did that very thing.

so its no surprise to me that walkers are considered dangerous, and yes its common sense to watch your baby while in it. but obviously people dont!

kind of like why bumbo seats say do not put on elevated surface, yet people stilly put them up on tables and babys still fall out of them when your not looking.

is this for real!? you actually have tags in your clothes reminding you not too iron whilst wearing in America!?!?! hahahaha that's so funny!!!

 

[summer rain]

I used to believe walkers were the work of the devil lol but we were given one for eldest DS and now have been given another for youngest DS (same model actually, am starting to think my inlaws have a warehouse of these!). Anyway now I'm not so against them, none of mine have really walked in theirs, they are far more interested in the activity centre. Also we live in an apartment so no danger of stairs. With my second youngest we had that baby Einstein stationary walker thing, it's still holding them in the same posture so don't see how it's any better.

 

[xnmd1]

I think making them illegal to own is a bit extreme...how do they even police that?? Is it like TV licensing where they have some sort of contraption that's a walker-radar?

OHs mom got in trouble for this. When his sister was a baby she had one (after the ban) .. she fell down the stairs and fractured her skull .. so they found out she had one.
not sure what happened though.

 

[xnmd1]

you do know why warning labels were put on things right?

like "do not iron clothes whilest on body" ?

because someone actually DID that, everytime a new warning label is added to a product its because some idiot did that very thing.

so its no surprise to me that walkers are considered dangerous, and yes its common sense to watch your baby while in it. but obviously people dont!

kind of like why bumbo seats say do not put on elevated surface, yet people stilly put them up on tables and babys still fall out of them when your not looking.

is this for real!? you actually have tags in your clothes reminding you not too iron whilst wearing in America!?!?! hahahaha that's so funny!!!

theres a warning on my fridge telling me not to place pets in the fridge

 

[Thistledown]

i'd never heard of anyone here falling down them

I'll bet most of the times when it happens and there's no harm done, people just don't bring it up! I could see parent's being embarrassed/feeling like bad parents when a baby in a walker goes for a tumble down the stairs. They're probably not going to want to point it out!

theres a warning on my fridge telling me not to place pets in the fridge

Do you think if I put that warning on my fridge my cats would stop attempting to place themselves in there every time the door opened?

 

[lucy_lu10]

okay I knew I was right - my MIL bought Isabella a walker when she's over there and I thought I read somewhere that these are dangerous. But then everybody has convinced me otherwise. Why are the illegal in Canada?

Yes, they are not only banned but illegal to possess and distribute!

https://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/child-enfant/equip/walk-marche-eng.php

My gym's daycare still has one, but I won't rat them out, cause he loves it and it's the only place he can use one, LOL

Guilty. I own one. And I live in Canada. It was "imported" by my sister's friend. When they were done with it, she got it. When she was done with it, I got it. Illegal all around! Don't rat me out!

I'm guilty too. I live in Canada and used mine from when I was a baby for my son. It was the most wonderful thing ever for him! (We live in a rancher too though so no stairs) I know several people who have had friends import them from the States for their Canadian babes also. When it comes to safety with walkers, it's no different than when babies learn to crawl or walk; they can get into the same trouble. I know a number of people who fell down the stairs in walkers when they were babies and I also know a number of people who fell down the stairs as babies from crawling/walking over.
My hairdryer says not to use while submerged in water....I don't see those becoming illegal due to the possibility of electrocution....

 

[cw_249]

Can i just ask cos im a numpty, when you're talking about walkers are you just talking about the ones with wheels or are you talking about jumperoos as well? I too have always thought of walkers as bad, and never allowed my eldest two to have them, but now my friend keeps trying to convince me to get a jumperoo for lo...