Why Baby Walkers Are Illegal in Canada

Nov 10
2 min read

Let’s talk about baby walkers - specifically stand-in walkers, not push-along ones. You might be surprised to learn that these devices have actually been banned in Canada for over two decades.

Why the Ban?

In 2004, after decades of injury reports and developmental research, Canada became the first country in the world to ban baby walkers, making it illegal to import, advertise, or sell them.

Health Canada determined that infants simply don’t have the reflexes, coordination, or cognitive ability to use walkers safely. Babies in walkers can reach hazards they otherwise couldn’t - things like hot drinks, electrical cords, or staircases. As a result, walker-related injuries have high rates of serious head injuries, burns, and falls down stairs.

But safety isn’t the only concern. Despite what marketing might suggest, studies and clinical observations show that walkers delay walking, interfere with natural motor development, and lead to atypical movement patterns such as toe walking.

A Global Consensus

Canada isn’t alone in its stance. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the European Child Safety Alliance (ECSA), and paediatric physiotherapy associations worldwide have all issued strong statements against baby walkers.

What This Means for yOUR BABY

Just because a product is available doesn’t mean it’s safe or developmentally appropriate.

If you choose to use a stand-in walker, follow all safety recommendations carefully.

Always supervise, and remember: walkers can move faster than you can react.
Ensure babies feet are flat on the floor, that they're not their toes
There are stationary standing activity centres which are probably safer
Limit sessions to 15 minutes per day
Ideally hold off until baby is starting to crawl themselves

Instead, focus on natural, floor-based movement to help your baby build postural control, balance, and coordination. Time on the floor - rolling, reaching, sitting, crawling, and pulling to stand - lays the foundation for gross motor milestones and confident, stable walking later on.

It might feel more convenient to use a walker now, but if your child’s walking milestones are delayed or their movement patterns (like persistent toe walking) become challenging, that early convenience may not be worth it.

In Summary

Canada’s decision to ban baby walkers wasn’t overprotective - it was proactive, grounded in robust injury data and developmental science. Parents deserve to know the truth