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?!!!

I'm not going to look it up @littleshirleybeans because I don't believe any child capable of sitting unaided has even been harmed by a suitable Velcro-fastened bumper used appropriately.

Fair enough not all babies sit at 6 months and I shouldn't generalise (mine do). 6 months used to be the generalisation and that isn't helpful. None of the age based rules were because babies develop differently.

I don't like the "ban all x" approach because it undermines parents' radar and common sense. A lot of people end up not even understanding the nature of the threat.

While everyone was busy getting hysterical about ALL cot bumpers for older children, many of them were merrily throwing Muslins and blankets over their babies prams.

Maybe not google anything about baby things at all,,or read any baby books.. Its a very strange world these days if you have to resort to these things.. Its a very commercialised world now. and just people trying to make money for things that you don't need.

I got breathable cot liners because my DS kept getting his leg stuck. The cords are not anywhere near long enough to strangle him (I could barely do them up).

Jumpers (circle of neglect) and walkers aren't great, but they do serve a purpose.

You can get socket covers (in the US anyway) that replace a regular cover (called a Mommys Helper White Safe Plate) that I think look pretty cool.

I also had my DS in a Rock & Play overnight. I brought the one that laid flat and he slept SO much better (reflux) than he did in his crib. He's now in his crib.

He also slept in his own room from 4 days old because I have a CPAP and he is a loud sleeper.

You honestly just have to make your own way. Do some research but trust your instincts too :)

Jumpers (circle of neglect)

Are you saying people who use jumperoos are neglecting their baby?

Certainly don't neglect my child because i stick them in a jumperoo every now and again. It's handy and keeps the baby entertained.

Sometimes they need to be contained for a short period and it is just one of many ways to do that

@minniemummy0 another one to avoid is the Perfect Prep machine - just google it and watchdog - the NHS and Watchdog have been trying to get it banned. It's disgusting they can still sell it.

I had an accident in a baby walker. Ran at the back door which was closed but not locked, and in a freak accident the bar that holds it closed without pulling the handle down hadn't fully clicked in. So i hit the door, it opened, and i ended up tipping forward and out of the walker, falling down the concrete steps and onto the concrete floor in the back yard.
Cue being rushed to hospital for a head X-ray with a suspected fractured skull. Thankfully it wasn't and no lasting damage.
Also be aware of fire guards. I managed to get my fingers through ours when my mum went to heat me up a bottle, and burned my fingertips so badly the nerves were killed and i had to have the very tips of all 4 fingers amputated.
I'm pleased to report i remember nothing or either of these incidents, but both happened due to supposedly "safe" baby items.

YANBU. Also, on the home dopplers - I know so many women who swear they can tell the difference between the placenta and the heartbeat when statistically, this is highly unlikely. I think they ramp up anxiety, not dampen it down. I get that everyone has a choice and good for them but let's not be silly, all these women are not midwives and they don't know what they're actually hearing.

Johnsons doesn't just cause skin conditions - they were sued for a huge amount a couple of years ago because their talc causes ovarian cancer, yet it is still sold. We were told in our NCT class to avoid the brand all together (they make Aveeno too)

The sit-in walkers are actually banned in Canada due to the falling risk.

Agree it would be great if products were banned from sale, but then again there's always a secondhand market. And some people have the attitude "well I had X and I'm alive so it's fine for my children." I've mentioned to many people that bumpers and walker are considered dangerous by health authorities and most don't care in the slightest.

I spoke to a pediatrician I know well and their thoughts are:

• walkers: don't actually help babies learn to walk, and allow them to move faster and further than their brains are ready for. Major accidents like tumbling down stairs or out of doors.

• bumpers: the risks from use are strangulation and death. It is however very unlikely for a baby/toddler to cause deadly injuries from bashing their head against cot or bed rails. So the injuries bumpers are meant to prevent are minor, but the injuries bumpers can cause are major.

It's illegal to buy or see a baby walker in Canada.

OP

What do you suggest? It is only when things are used that someone discovers they are a hazard. I'm sure the first person who made a cot bumper thought it was a good idea, perhaps even had a child that bumped its head.

If they are not sold as a baby item they will be sold as 'decoration' but still be as bad.

You need a big dose of common sense and to risk assess everything in your house.

You do know about roller blinds with long strings?

You are supposed to wrap the string around the hook but every couple of years a toddler is strangled by one. It is tragic but is a known risk.

Personally I think cot bumpers should be banned. They're just unnecessarily dangerous. I agree with looking at Justice for Preston- his bumpers were tied securely and it came away from the bumper. The risk is also about over heating and climbing out.

Although I agree about common sense to some degree some people don't have if- like when you see a picture of a small baby in a cot with bumpers, loose covers, toys etc you realise that some need a bit of support in that area!

Eek we have two baby Bjorn carriers! Will look into an ergo baby instead. Had no idea! Thanks to those that raised it.
Also just started mixed feeding at 7 months and using perfect prep so will do some more research.

I agree that banning every little thing is a bit ridiculous and my earlier post was a little tongue in cheek, but the bath seats which can tip and trap the baby so the parents are unable to rescue then sound awful and probably should be banned.

Bag slings as mentioned earlier have been recalled. These were a particular type of sling which held the baby as though in a shoulder bag. Not sure how anyone ever thought that was a good idea!

Many things mentioned in this thread aren't lethal, they're just non-ideal. OP, get used to being non ideal, because most of us are, it's best to just embrace it.

My daughter had a walker and she was fully walking by 11months old without a problem. They don't walk on their tips toes if you have it set on the right height for them.

If I have anymore children I'll use a walker again as it was brilliant for them to be able to move around the house with me, watching me and interacting with me whilst I clean or tidy etc

This thread also taught me something new, i never would have thought a blanket on a baby would be dangerous. I assume you layer clothing and use radiators etc to keep the room at a temp so baby is comfortable? I honestly would have just thought put baby in a crib and cover with a blanket, particularly in the swaddle type.

DH is Norwegian and cot bumpers are still very much used there, and it has a comparatively low rate of SIDS.

So, do your own research and make your own choices. If you don't want to use plug sockets, don't. If you want to use bumpers, do.

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.

Walkers are banned in Canada because kids walk off steps in them - that's definitely a safety issue too

This thread also taught me something new, i never would have thought a blanket on a baby would be dangerous. I assume you layer clothing and use radiators etc to keep the room at a temp so baby is comfortable?

They sell wearable blankets for babies so that there's nothing loose in the cot with them.

Walkers are banned in Canada because kids walk off steps in them - that's definitely a safety issue too

And over a hearth into a fire.

Even on carpet if they fall they cannot get up or roll over.

The Baby Bjorn We which we have does the frog leg position and doesn't face out. It has been accredited by the hip dysplasia Association.

wrecking please don't panic about the baby bjorn carriers. they aren't dangerous they aren't an ideal carrier in terms of comfort for you or baby. They were found to exacerbate hip problems in those that already have them not cause them.
If you can restrict forward facing for no more than 20 mins. If you also Google the scarf hack with a narrow based carrier it shows you how to adapt them so babies legs are supported knee pit to knee pit.
Don't rush out and buy an ergo on the way of one person online. Look for a local sling library to try out what suits you.