Baby walkers are banned in Canada because the safety of children is a significant concern. The Canadian government has rules against allowing the baby to move out f his parent’s sight. But that doesn’t mean that there would be no sale of baby walkers in Canada, but other gadgets like toddlers and baby walker wagons are also banned in Canada.
Canada has made tough decisions on using baby walkers by banning them from all over the market. The significant fact is that babies are delicate creatures, and if left alone for even a few minutes without supervision, they can be severely injured by their surroundings.
Infant seats with built-in stands that allow parents to leave their children unattended are typically prohibited from being used at Canadian institutions because of the high risks involved. To ensure safety Canada’s Safety Code 6 (SC6) requires all baby walkers to meet specific safety standards.
However, an important fact often ignored is the requirement for parents to provide full adult supervision at all times. In this way, the safety and health of the baby are ensured. When parents ignore this requirement, the result can be tragic consequences.
4 Reasons Baby Walkers Aren’t Good for Your Baby
The reason why baby walkers are banned in Canada is the hazardous effects on Baby health as well as a result in serious head injuries and spinal injuries. Not only do these accidents happen more often, but they are also more severe. One study article shows that almost half of all injuries occurred when using a walker with one-year-old infants.
Baby walkers are banned in Canada, not for the baby walkers’ material, but because the significant fact is that the Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend against using them because they can lead to serious injury.
These are the following reasons why baby walkers are banned in Canada.
Injury to your Baby’s Neck and Spine
Baby walkers may cause your baby to fall forward and get injured by bumping into house furniture and things. And this hitting by complex objects can cause Baby neck fractures and Spinal injuries. These injuries might not be shown in infant age, but these severe issues come up with growing in adult age.
Cause hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is caused due to lack of motor development in babies, which can also result from baby walker injuries in adults. They may cause paralysis and arthritis-like disorders in muscle development.
Can cause back problems
Back problems such as spina bifida can result from wearing a baby walker for too long or too often or from improper use of the product (i.e., placing your child in the seat too high).
These back problems can even be fatal and worse when muscle immobility and arthritis make a baby unable to walk for a lifetime.
Herniated discs in infants
A herniated disc is a rare condition associated with early age back pain and leg pain. Due to slipping and falling on hard surfaces, baby walker imbalance the infant get hurt and cause herniated discs in infants and by the time it gets even worse.
Baby Walker Banned Countries
Baby walkers are banned in Canada, with no exception. The baby walker is a device for child walking and muscle development, but it is prohibited in Canada.
Although they don’t emit radiation, they are banned by the Canadian health ministry due to some reports of infant injuries. The baby walkers apply force on the baby’s joints and cause a high risk of head, neck, and spinal damage. The most common injuries reported are Chondrolysis (cartilage degeneration), fractures due to bumping, head injuries, back injuries, and spinal injuries.
Baby walkers have been banned in Canada because they can be dangerous for parents and babies. According to a report by the Canadian Pediatric Society, child injuries related to baby walkers rose from 40 percent to 80 percent from 1997 to 2006.
Most of these injuries occurred at home, meaning baby walkers are even worse indoors than outdoors. Kids are even sent to the hospital with broken bones or head injuries.
In Canada, baby walkers are considered a safety hazard for small children. Babies can quickly become tangled up in the baby walker, causing severe head and spinal injuries if they’re not adequately trained and supervised.
They might chew off their fingernails or toes while playing and think nothing of it. This can be serious when it results in an outdoor atmosphere.
Are Baby Walker Banned In the United States
No, Baby walkers are not banned in the United States. The United state’s mentality regarding parenting is that it’s always about finding the best; baby walkers are not banned in the United States. There are indeed some benefits that other gadgets provide in walking and the development of the kid. But various benefits come with investing in a baby walker. These units are safe for your precious little one’s joints and feet.
Baby walkers are easy to assemble and lightweight, and less time-consuming. There are some advantages of a baby walker that are not replaceable. These are the design and safety measures. Last but not least, stand-alone walkers may be overkill because most of them also include bases that help keep your floors safe from scratches, dents, and even stains!
Baby walkers are easy to handle and life savers for toddlers learning to walk and developing muscles. The foremost importance is that working women cannot provide full time to their children, so in this way, baby walkers help mothers be life savers.
Alternatives To Baby Walker
Baby walkers are life savers, but in a few years, many cases registered in hospitals, including infants who were dependent on walkers for walking. The leading causes were the injuries caused by the baby walker.
Most of the time, babies cannot handle the speed of a baby walker. They move it even faster than before, allowing them to access the pool, stairs, and roads, and the parent often notices that the child is missing.
Baby walkers were once considered a tool for leg strength and balance, but now they are many alternatives to a baby walker.
Stationary activity centers
It closely resembles a traditional baby walker, but they are without wheels.
They are meant to be made as harness seats in the seat consisting of the round table.
The most important benefit is that your baby can play with toys in the activity center.
Something to consider is that it takes a considerable amount of space.
Baby Jumpers
Baby Jumpers are made for jumping, and hopping helps babies to bounce to build the foundation of walking safely.
Stationary activities provide a playing facility for the baby.
Push toys
They offer great support in your child’s steps to a new world. They have wheels and a handle. They are made as babies push the handle and learn to walk, but parents must supervise them.
It is the most affordable option and alternative to the baby walker.
FAQ’s
Why is a baby walker terrible for babies?
Walkers lead to injuries, so they are strictly prohibited.
In which country is baby walker strictly banned?
A baby walker is banned in Canada. Even secondhand or used are also prohibited.
Do baby walkers cause bow legs?
No, the baby walker causes the baby to lean forward from the hip.
Do walkers delay walking?
Unfortunately, the answer is Yes; the more your baby is dependent on, it ultimately delays the walking period.
Is our baby walker banned in the USA?
No, they are not banned in the USA.
Some precautions are made to ensure baby safety.
Is there are any alternatives to a baby walker?
Yes, I have mentioned in my article that you can read above.
Conclusion
A baby walker is convenient, but there are pros, then there must be cons, hand by hand. The Canadian government has banned baby walkers because of increment in injuries, which even led to a child’s death. The wheels and other added parts provide a gliding surface for a child but no control.
Baby walkers are devices that allow a baby to move around unrestricted by restraining them, although it helps with some damage. They were trendy until Health Canada deemed them unsafe for home use in 1989.
A study by Dr. Gordon Murray concluded that using such devices had numerous drawbacks, such as preventing the proper development of motor skills and even causing muscle damage, spinal damage, and even death.
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