To be utterly annoyed that things are sold for babies that aren't advised??

[minniemummy0]

I'm expecting my first baby soon. I'm 35 and consider myself fairly intelligent, and I've not been completely sheltered from babies, I've got a niece and nephew.

But honestly, it annoys me so much finding out that things available freely are potentially harmful. The two examples I can specifically think of are cot bumpers and walkers.

Even at the Mamas and Papas baby event I went to, the gentlemen who gave a talk on sleeping, which wasn't essentially an advert for their own products, said the bumper was for show and not safe for baby, and even when they are older could be used as a leg up to get out of the cot, so still not really safe.

And then now I read in another thread tonight that baby walkers stunt baby's development! What the heck! Why are they even sold?! I thought they helped baby to start walking safely! I was obviously wrong but can you honestly blame someone for presuming that?! It seems not something that would ever have occurred to me!

Aibu to think you should be able to presume baby related items are safe, and not damaging to baby, and if they are they shouldn't be bloody sold?!!!

[Figgygal]

It is impossible to electrocute yourself by putting your fingers in a plug socket

Utter waste of time

[Twickerhun]

Thanks all.

[YellowPaisley]

X post

[YellowPaisley]

What wrong with socket covers? I've always had them!

[MrsHathaway]

Information on socket covers.

Short answer: UK sockets are brilliantly safe because they aren't live until activated by the earth pin of the plug. Socket covers have an earth pin and therefore activate the socket ... making it easier for a child to get an electric shock.

In other countries socket covers can be safer, but not in the UK.

[nocoolnamesleft]

I've seen baby walkers (the type they sit in, and push themselves along) land one baby in a burns unit (reached higher than the parents thought they could, grabbed hot drink, pulled it over them), and another having an emergency CT scan of their head (let them reach the handle to the cellar door.

So I'm afraid they could have the potential for lethality.

[Patriciathestripper1]

I used a cot bumper tied around the outside of the cot as a shield from draughts with Dd number 4.
When I had my first in the 80's everyone used them on the inside before they were deemed hazardous.
I never used a walker because our first house was a small terrace with no space.
When we had a large house with Dd 4 I never wanted one and couldn't see the point really.
When you look at all the stupid gadgets that people are lulled into buying today like special shaped spoons and heated bowls I feel sorry for young parents on a budget.
Really and honestly you don't need any of the fancy crap they sell.
They only two must have's for me were a baby gate and a fire guard.

[howthelightgetsin]

Oh oh and I've got one - all that johnsons baby product we used to have slathered on us as kids. Baby shampoo, talc etc.

[BugLand]

Yes! I also found this unbelievable. Another one is toddler bath seats, which are the main cause of drowning for that age group.

[Merryhobnobs]

Ah but so many things could hinder babies development - walkers, bumbo, etc but after a lot of research I used my instincts. We had a walker that was used in short spells. Didn't use a bumbo. It is a personal choice. However 2nd hand car seats and cot bumpers - they should not be solD!

[Coloursthatweremyjoy]

You are supposed to make your own judgements and research. This kind of things irks me slightly. It's the same as people buying mortgages from their banks...you won't get decent advice from someone trying to sell you their product.

[Dottie39]

Baby walkers can cause problems if you use them all the time as a babysitter on wheels, used for 15 minutes at a time a couple of times a day they are fine.

[FrogsSitonLogs]

Actually are accidents are caused by people leaving their babies in baby walkers unattended. There are stories of babies going down the stairs.

[BamburyFuriou3]

Even baby bouncers are supposed to be dangerous

[puzzleyourface]

What's wrong with socket covers 😱 and what's the alternative?!

[howthelightgetsin]

You're not supposed to have the baby in a jumperoo more than about thirty mins a day I think? Limited use is fine.

[minniemummy0]

Howthelightgetsin - I honestly thought those old fashioned ones were safe/helpful/good! You can still buy them loads of places! I feel like I need to google every single baby related thing I buy to check it's not secretly harmful now. I can't trust anything!!! I guess I'm just feeling really stupid. I'm going to end up accidentally giving my baby something unsafe :( they aren't even born and I'm already making bad choices.

[Sashkin]

Like using fluffy pillows or duvets

[Sittingintheshade]

I'd never even heard that about baby walkers....

Wonder if jumperoos are similarly bad?

[Supersoaryflappypigeon]

Twicker I think it's the ties-if they came loose they could cause strangulation or if they came off completely a baby could potentially suffocate.

[Sashkin]

Bumpers: Increased risk of SIDS/suffocation in little babies, and they give bigger babies a leg up to climb out of the cot.

[LuchiMangsho]

Cot bumpers are a suffocation and strangulation hazard as far as I can remember.

[MrsClegane]

walkers....can make baby walk on tip toes or lean forwards to walk which isn't the same as walking out of the walker. I dont think its a safety issue....more a development thing.

Dummy clips/cords.... not really safe but still sold all over.

bumbos.... there have been cases of babies pushing themselves backwards out of it or pushing the bumbo over.

there's probably more....and yes it is annoying that many women don't do thorough research into things before buying...cos hey they're sold as baby items so youd automatically assume theyre safe.

[LuchiMangsho]

Baby walkers and cot bumpers are not quite in the same category. One can be lethal. The other MAY hinder development. I know plenty of babies who used them with no adverse consequences. I think, from what I remember, if your baby is a late walker then it isn't advised to use a walker to speed up the process.