What Baby Products to Avoid
It can be easy to trust department stores and large brands to make high quality safe products, but not all products are safe.
There have been many popular baby and childcare products that are unfortunately associated with injures and death. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that 40 percent of all recalls last year were for children’s products. Many times parents are unaware of recalls and safety defects unless they register every single product they own, so before you head to the store to register or buy your baby goodies, make sure you do your research. Here are some baby products to avoid when shopping and the alternatives.
–Drop-side cribs. Drop-side cribs have been associated with at least 32 deaths and hundreds of injuries according to CPSC. They were recalled and permanently banned from sale in 2011. Many parents still buy and sell these drop-side cribs used online. Instead, look for a newer crib with fixed sides and simple design, and don’t use any cribs over ten years old.
–Bumpers. Although they are supposed to keep the baby from hitting and injuring their head, bumpers are a suffocation hazard. Many studies have linked them to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). We recommend not using any bumpers and just a fitted sheet. They may look cute, but they are very dangerous.
-Sleep positioners and pillows. These products are intended to keep the baby from rolling on their stomach and also to avoid acid reflux, but many babies have suffocated from slipping free. The FDA and the CPSC have called for a ban on the products, but some are still being sold. Instead, place your infant on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS.
-Blankets, pillows and stuffed animals. Babies can becomes easily entangled and smother themselves in these products. Extra bedding can be extremely dangerous. Keep your baby warm by dressing them properly for a bare fitted sheet and do not allow them to sleep in your bed. Use blankets for tummy time or swaddling only.
-Bumbo seats. Many reports have surfaced of babies falling from Bumbo seats by rocking themselves out. Many times parents place these Bumbo seats on tables or counter tops which can increase the severity of injuries. Never place these seats on a raised surface and do not leave children unattended while using the product.
-Crib tents. These products were intended to keep children from climbing out of cribs, but children can get strangled in the material. If your child is crawling out of their bed, it means you should transfer them to a toddler or regular bed.
-Co-Sleepers. These are products are made to connect to the bed so that the baby can sleep near the mother while she is breast feeding. There have been several reports of parents rolling onto the child and suffocating them. Use a regular crib or a bassinet, instead of a co-sleeper. These bedside sleepers do not have established safety regulations yet.
-Changing tables without four raised sides. If your table does not have four sides that come up past the changing pad, then there is a risk of your child rolling off the table and being injured. Ensure that the sides come up on your table on all four sides or change your baby on the floor with a pad.
-Un-anchored furniture. According to CPSC, there have been reports of over 200 deaths related to furniture tip-overs. Simply secure your furniture to the wall with fasteners and straps. Most home-improvement stores carry anti-tip straps or brackets.
-Sling Carriers. The CPSC reported that there are at least 14 deaths associated with slings and dozens of serious injuries. It is easy for children to fall out of slings. There have also been many recalls in the past few years for the slings causing SIDs and suffocation, especially on children four months or younger. Soft-front carriers and backpack carries are safer options for babies. We suggest using car seats or strap-on carriers instead. Make sure you practice using any kind of carrier before actually placing a baby in it.
-Walkers. These products help children stand and walk on their own, but there are reports of babies falling down stairs. It has been recommended that a ban be placed on the product. Try a stationary ‘jumper’ or activity center, which can has a secure base.
-Infant bath seats. Bath seats can give parents false security when washing their baby. Often times the seats can tip over and the baby can fall in the water and drown. Children can drown in just two inches of water. Never leave your child unattended when giving them a bath.
Shopping for a baby can be overwhelming. Always look at safety regulators websites for safety recalls and do your research before purchasing new or used products.
If you or someone you know has been injured due to a childcare product, contact our law offices today for a free consultation on how to protect your rights.
Source: CPSC