If there’s one fixed in parenting, it is that the parental panorama is ever altering. Issues that had been listed as A-Okay along with your first child can turn into a giant no-no by the point your second is born (here is taking a look at you, Rock ‘N Play).
Whereas having an “oh wow, I had no concept about that!” second is a parental proper of passage, it is type of good having a heads up about among the most typical controversial merchandise so you can also make an knowledgeable selection when contemplating what gadgets to purchase. Listed here are some merchandise that some swear by and a few hate – and what the considerations are.
Crib Bumpers
Designed to maintain little our bodies protected from the bars, crib bumpers have been a staple in nurseries since earlier than we had been infants.
The problem: The lengthy and in need of it’s they’re a suffocation and entrapment threat. What’s complicated although is that mesh bumpers are nonetheless allowed, and cloth bumpers are nonetheless being offered, no matter being labeled a ‘banned, hazardous product,’ which makes this one difficult.
Crib Decor
A fast Insta search of ‘crib decor’ brings up every kind of lovable concepts. Photos, canopies, and cabinets hung over cribs, and pillows, blankets, and loungers positioned inside cribs.
The problem: Security consultants need us to maintain the crib away from falling objects (like footage) and freed from suffocation hazards (like canopies, curtains, cords, or anything a child may pull into their crib). Here is a complete submit on protected sleep pointers if you wish to know the nitty gritty.
Sleep Positioners
Wedges, anti-roll pillows, aspect sleeping pillows – there are every kind of sleep positioners on the market that declare to assist your child get higher sleep by maintaining them in a sure place or assist with situations like reflux. (There are medical units that may be prescribed by your pediatrician, however this particularly refers to non-medical units.)
The problem: Security consultants and the FDA (they make the principles about medical units, therefore the jurisdiction right here) agree they aren’t protected. There’s additionally no proof that they scale back situations like GERD – take a look at What’s the most secure sleep resolution for my child with reflux? from the AAP. Some hardcore protected sleep folks even take into account the coveted Snoo a sleep positioner due to the inbuilt swaddle. (Right here’s what Snoo says about that.)
Child Loungers
Dock-A-Tots and related child “loungers” have taken Instagram and Pinterest by storm with footage of infants sleeping in these lovable ‘child nests.’
The problem: Though they’re marketed as a lounger, many dad and mom inevitably use them for sleep (I imply, it is a cozy nest). They, and related merchandise, have been implicated in at the very least 120 deaths and are loathed by little one sleep and security consultants worldwide. Here is a submit concerning the Dock-A-Tot security warning to present you a bit extra background.
Pacifiers with Stuffed Animals
There are a handful of manufacturers providing pacifiers which have a small stuffed animal connected, together with Wubbanub and Avent. The stuffy makes it simple for little fingers to carry and place their pacifier, even with their less-than-great coordination.
The problem: Soothers assist children go to sleep, so many dad and mom would not assume twice about popping one in every of these in a crib with their sleeping child. Secure sleep consultants and Wubbanub agree the most secure strategy to sleep for prolonged intervals of time is with none plush toys within the crib, even ones connected to a pacifier, to cut back a suffocation threat.
Weighted Sleep Sacks
Weighted blankets have actually blown up over the previous couple of years, with customers claiming the additional weight helps calm them down and promote deeper sleep.
The problem: Secure sleep consultants fear about these because of the elevated threat of suffocation and overheating (one other factor linked to an elevated SIDS threat).
Method Dispensers
Feeding dispensers just like the Child Brezza rapidly make premixed and warmed bottles with the contact of a button. It made many ‘better of’ lists after it was launched in 2013 and continues to be a well-liked merchandise on many child registries.
The problem: The priority right here is improper ratios of formulation and water being disbursed by the machine inflicting severe well being implications for an toddler (particularly if drained dad and mom do not discover it). The corporate says correct cleansing of the machine prevents this downside, however some dad and mom say the machine is at fault. You possibly can learn extra concerning the controversy in a Chicago Tribune article.
Toddler Flotation Rings
Toddler flotation rings – just like the Otteroo – match round a child’s neck and permits them to drift round with out limiting their fingers or ft. With over 400k offered, many infants love to relax in them they usually’ve been offered exterior North America for many years.
The problem: They’ll deflate throughout use or storage, so a baby can slide via the interior ring designed to maintain their head above water. Security consultants additionally fear that caregivers might need a false sense of safety and depart their youngsters unattended once they should not. You possibly can learn extra concerning the CPSC warning right here, and you may learn Otteroo’s response right here.
Bumbo Seat
The Bumbo is a small foam chair designed for infants who’re simply studying to sit down however nonetheless want a good quantity of assist. Its light-weight design, enjoyable colours, and comfortable materials make it a particularly fashionable child merchandise.
The problem: With the seat being so gentle and maneuverable, it is tempting to place it on a desk or countertop as a makeshift highchair, however the CPSC and makers of the Bumbo are very clear – this seat is solely meant for use on the ground.
Teething Necklaces
Amber teething necklaces are very fashionable amongst some parenting circles, with many claiming teething advantages, together with diminished ache, much less drooling, and higher sleep.
The problem: Choking and strangulation are the principle considerations right here, with many necklace makers not adhering to ASTM pointers designed to stop strangulation. The FDA experiences a number of accidents and one dying associated to those merchandise, and the AAP recommends avoiding them. We’ve a complete submit about teething necklaces right here if you’d like extra particulars.
Child Walkers
Mother and father love them as a result of they hold kiddos occupied and are simple to maneuver from level A to level B, both by a guardian or a kiddo with vitality to burn.
The problem: Unsupervised infants on wheels wheeling themselves into hurt’s manner (i.e., stairs, sizzling issues, swimming pools) is the principle concern and even has the AAP calling for a ban on this fashionable child merchandise.
third Social gathering Automotive Seat Equipment
That is type of a giant class, however mainly, something that did not come along with your automobile seat and/or is not made by the identical model as your automobile seat is taken into account a third occasion accent. Assume head helps, seat protectors (sure, even these), additional strap pads, and issues like that.
The problem: Automotive seats undergo in depth testing with a purpose to be thought-about protected to be used. Including something to them that wasn’t particularly examined means the security of your automobile seat may very well be compromised in a crash. Comply with websites like Automotive Seats for the Littles to get a great deal with on what is taken into account protected and what is not by certified techs.
Slim Seat Child Carriers
Out of the zillions of child carriers on the market, many have slender seats. They are typically cheaper, compact, and simple to make use of, making them (understandably) fashionable with many dad and mom.
The problem: Sure circles of child sporting people imagine carriers like this could worsen a light case of hip dysplasia and confer with them as “crotch danglers”. There is not a complete lot of proof to assist it but it surely’s additionally fairly exhausting to check it ethically. We’ve a full submit on it right here if you’d like a little bit extra background.
Homeopathic Meds
Homeopathic child meds are substances that may be discovered on the cabinets of most shops and pharmacies for illnesses starting from teething ache to chilly and cough reduction. They’re available and thought of “pure” by many dad and mom.
The problem: Homeopathic drugs aren’t examined by the FDA, and lots of research the place their efficacy is examined are poorly designed or in any other case doubtful. Though some folks swear by them, there have been issues, together with fatalities (Hylands Teething Tablets are an instance of that). Take a look at our submit What’s the Deal Homeopathic Medication for Infants? for extra in-depth data.
Tub Seats
These seats suction to the underside of the bathtub in an try and hold a wiggly toddler sitting up for his or her bathtub and are particularly useful you probably have a child who is just too outdated for a shower sling however not sufficiently old to sit down with out tipping over.
The problem: A mixture of poorly functioning suction cups, additional wiggly kiddos, and a false sense of safety make these a drowning threat. Not less than two fashions offered on Amazon have been recalled. There are different fashions which might be extra like a child gate with a screw-like system that fastens them to the bathtub utilizing counter-pressure, that are thought-about safer as a result of they’re much less of a tipping hazard.
Wearable Child Displays
A couple of corporations have come out with a wearable child monitor that, amongst different issues, tracks a child’s coronary heart fee and oxygen ranges. This may present severe piece of thoughts for fogeys who discover this stage of monitoring comforting or wish to monitor sleep.
The problem: The concern is that they’ll present a false sense of safety for fogeys who put their infants in unsafe sleep conditions pondering the machine will alert them to any points. The FDA banned Owlet’s authentic good sock as a result of they deemed it a medical machine. Owlet has since launched an up to date sock that has saved the FDA pacified whereas they apply for medical machine standing. You possibly can learn extra about their response right here.
Must you cease utilizing these child gadgets?
That is as much as you. Are there merchandise on this checklist which might be harmful as a result of individuals are simply utilizing them incorrectly? Yep. Are there others which might be a transparent threat and should not be available on the market in any respect? Most likely.
The purpose of this checklist is not to let you know what child gadgets to ditch and hold however to present you a heads up on what’s going on in a market that you just would not essentially know a lot about. Plus, by no means assume (like I did) {that a} child merchandise would not be available on the market if it wasn’t protected. As with the whole lot, it’s important to weigh the dangers towards the advantages, which is one thing solely you are able to do.
Are there some other sizzling matter child gadgets I missed? Let me know within the feedback.
Our subsequent reco: Child Product Security Requirements: Who Regulates What?
