It’s been 60 years since Susan Olivia Poole first patented and produced a children’s toy that has stood the test of time – the Jolly Jumper.

Based on a traditional swaddling technique, the Jolly Jumper is now promoted as a ‘baby exerciser’, and is distributed by some of the biggest box stores and brands in the world, from Amazon to Walmart.

This device, I’m sure, has been a godsend for thousands of mums and dads who just need a little ‘hands free’ time so they can get chores done around the house.

Sometimes, I’m sure putting your baby in a jumper is the only thing that will buy you a few minutes of peace, when all other attempts to quell a tantrum fail.

And we all know that exercise is good for everyone, even babies, right?

While the Jolly Jumper may provide hours of ‘bouncing around and giggling to no end’, when it comes to the healthy development of a child’s nervous system and skeleton, you may be surprised to hear that it can actually present some huge issues.

The winter months are upon us bringing cooler temperatures, reduced time outdoors, and less sunshine… this also means a higher incidence of illness for our family members.

One of the most common questions I get from patients is “What should I do about my child’s fever?”

In 2013, one in five kids aged 12-17 reported a height and weight which classified them as either overweight or obese, according to a survey conducted by Statistics Canada.

Obviously there’s no single factor to blame for the astonishing rise in childhood obesity over the last 10 years: the rise of the technological age, poor knowledge/habits around food, and what we’re going to talk about today, confusion over just exactly how much exercise is required to create healthy, vibrant, energetic kids.