The youpala, also called a baby walker, is a toy with wheels that allow babies who cannot yet walk to move around without the help of an adult. Banned for sale in Canada since 2004, this object would be dangerous and could even harm the psychomotor development of children. Explanations.

The youpala is a rigid structure with wheels in which the child is held in a semi-seated or standing position in a harness. It allows babies who can not yet walk to move without being held by an adult. How? ‘Or’ What ? The child pushes on his legs to move the youpala forward. Some models of youpala are equipped with an awakening play board. It is therefore a game that helps the child to freely explore the environment around him while developing his motor skills. But this last argument is not validated by all.

Indeed, the youpala is a controversial object for two reasons:

• it is a source of domestic accidents;
• it hinders learning to walk.

If the youpala is not unanimous today, it is because it can cause potentially serious falls. It has also been banned for sale in Canada since 2004 by decision of the Ministry of Health because several cases of falls on the stairs and serious head injuries in children under two years have been identified.

The youpala exposes the child to several dangers:

• falling down the stairs (when the access is not protected by a barrier);
• poisoning with products that are not accessible to him without the baby walker;
• the tipping of the youpala on the ground at the slightest change of ground (going from the parquet floor to the carpet for example, or hitting against a step) which causes the baby to fall at the same time.

A study by the pediatric department of the Faculty of Medicine of Strasbourg had shown that trotters were responsible for more than 40% of head injuries in children under twelve months. All caused after a fall on the stairs or on a step.

Praised by parents because supposed to help the child in his learning to walk, the youpala would in fact be incompatible with a good psychomotor development.

Before knowing how to walk, a child must learn to coordinate his arms, legs, trunk and find balance. However, in the youpala, he only needs his feet and his legs to move forward. In addition, the hoop in front of him keeps him in balance. A baby who is often put in a youpala will tend not to go through the prior learning and necessary for walking. As a result, once out of the youpala, he may have difficulty finding his balance using his arms. Also, he will not have the so-called “parachute” reflex to put his arms forward to protect himself in the event of a fall because he is used to having the “protection” hoop in front of him when he is in the trotter.

But that’s not all. In a youpala, the child does not see his legs and feet. He moves without looking at what is on the ground that could block him. The walker can, on the one hand, stumble on an object and tip over and on the other hand the child will not have the reflex to look at what is at his feet to avoid it when he is walking without the youpala.

Another drawback is that in a youpala the child can move forward in a seated position (resting all his weight on the harness) when he is tired of standing. He then moves with his legs bent, his chest tilted forward, pushing on his tiptoes. Unfortunately, there is a risk that the child will repeat this forward inclined walk outside the youpala, which can cause deformities of the feet or even disturbances of balance.

Finally, movements and changes of direction in the youpala are fast because they are facilitated by the wheels. Problem, apart from the youpala, the child will be disturbed by this change of sensation (he advances less quickly and the changes of direction require more effort).

To use the youpala without danger and not harmful to learning to walk:

• wait until your child is 8 months old before using a youpala for the first time. At this age, he has sufficiently developed his motor skills. He knows how to sit alone and sit alone;
• check that the baby walker is approved to European standards NF EN 1273: 2005. This ensures the stability of the object to prevent tipping;
• opt for an evolutionary baby walker, that is to say adjustable in height;
• close any dangerous access for baby before putting him in the youpala (stairs, patio doors, cupboards and drawers containing dangerous products and objects). Lock in particular the access to the kitchen, a room with multiple dangers for children;
• do not leave anything lying around on the ground when baby is in the youpala;
• do not leave baby for more than 15 minutes in his youpala. It is important that he develops his motor skills on the ground (on a play mat for example). They must be able to experience important stages for their motor development (crawling, getting on all fours, standing up, walking with a support, etc.);
• never leave baby in their youpala unattended.