NCT ADMIT BEDNEST COT IS DANGEROUS WHEN SIDE HALF DOWN

[MandyP111]

I have just seen the NCT statement admitting that using the NCT Bednest cot with the side half-way down whilst you sleep next to the cot presents a risk of death to your baby!

However, this was exactly how NCT told parents to use it!

<a class="break-all" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140722182813/www.nctshop.co.uk/Bednest-Bedside-Crib/productinfo/4364/)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">web.archive.org/web/20140722182813/www.nctshop.co.uk/Bednest-Bedside-Crib/productinfo/4364/) - I takes time to load up.

NCT's warning can be found at: www.nct.org.uk/announcement-statement-use-bednest-crib

Bednest are now sending parents two screws and a screwdriver! www.bednest.com/Blog-Details?NewsID=NEWS-29112015225458

"I may be wrong, but don't retailers usually issue an immediate product recall in addition to stopping selling the product pending investigation, if something as serious as this has happened?"

I'm wondering with a product recall - for example with the Infantino baby carrier, it becomes apparent that there is a fundamental problem with the design of the product, that even when it's being used according to the manufacturer's instructions it's dangerous. Or maybe when there is a fault in the manufacture of the product which makes it unsafe to use.

With some products it's very difficult - for example with the death of the baby in a wrap carrier last year. here I don't remember people suggesting that a product recall was necessary for that even though questions were raised about whether wrap carriers are safe.

There wasn't a specific brand named in that situation though minifingerz.

The fact that Bed Nest are now sending out screws and screwdrivers to people who have already bought the cot and the ones that they're currently selling don't have the half-mast option, does indicate that it being used in the way it was originally designed to (which was promoted by the NCT) is potentially unsafe. The NCT acknowledge this in their statement.

Apologies for clumsy wording yesterday - clearly the tragedy will never be 'dealt with' for the family involved, by 'dealt with' I meant the accident investigated and a fix put in place (the apparent screws or whatever that are being sent out to customers).

christina I don't think bednest are necessarily suggesting that the bednest is unsafe with the side half up when used correctly by sending out the fixing kits.

Surely it's the same as when bumbo sent out the straps - because despite warnings to the contrary parents continued to use it in ways that meant not having straps was dangerous (on tables/countertops). Same as banning drop side cots because when damaged/not put together properly than can cause suffocation, same as insisting that blinds need to be sold with those safety parts now because some parents didn't source there own/cut the cords etching , same as baby walkers being banned in some countries because some parents let their DC use them unsupervised near stairs, and so on and so on.

When you have evidence that parents do not follow the instructions in a way that makes the product dangerous it is responsible (where possible) to modify the product to remove the risk.

"I cannot fully support your work while you continue to promote these ineffective, unsound, and at worst dangerous products."

Is there evidence that homoeopathy is dangerous for use in childbirth? I thought they were fundamentally sugar pills ?

You might want to contact them about the fact they offer TENS machines for hire as well. Their literature suggests that some labouring women find it helpful. NICE guidance is that TENS use shouldn't be discouraged, but shouldn't be offered or suggested because there is no clear evidence that it works.

I personally think it's great that the CEO took time to respond to your letter at length and reconsider the stance of the charity of homoeopathy.

Out of interest, if it's made clear to purchasers that homoeopathy has never been shown to be more effective than a placebo in any decent quality clinical trial, would you still feel that it's unethical to sell it? If there is also no evidence of harm in its use? Would you also ban of TENS?

here This is a critical review of the evidence on complementary treatments in pregnancy and birth by the NCT from 2009. It doesn't have anything positive to report about homeopathy.

"- choosing to have a prospective father to write their 'expectant parent's diary' for months on their blog (instead of, not as well as, a prospective mother)"

NCT is a charity for expectant parents. About 90% of the material on the website is primarily focused on the needs and experience of mothers.

"- not having ANY classes for women only or for pregnant people only (i.e. all classes are couples and include men)"

There are women only classes as part of many of the antenatal courses. Not all.

"- appointing a man as their new Chief Executive"

It's a charity for expectant parents, and he's a dad!

But even if he wasn't a parent his job is to run the charity effectively. His gender or status as a parent shouldn't be an issue.

"don't have the half-mast option, does indicate that it being used in the way it was originally designed to (which was promoted by the NCT) is potentially unsafe. The NCT acknowledge this in their statement."

The parents weren't using the produce according to the instructions.

• a replacement mattress which resulted in the baby being higher in the cot than it should have been
• the tilt was higher than recommended in the instructions (8 degrees rather than 5 degrees)
• the baby was placed in a prone sleeping position
• the baby was left unattended with the sides in a lowered position

"When you have evidence that parents do not follow the instructions in a way that makes the product dangerous it is responsible (where possible) to modify the product to remove the risk."

I understand what you're saying. I'm surprised at how many people ignore the instructions on baby products, including infant formula.

"Is there a good reason that you are so accusatory and demanding in your response to me?"

I've been a volunteer for NCT for years, even now my kids are older. :-) I represent them (as a user rep) on the MSLC of our local hospital.

sweetadelaie, the NCT state that a leading Consultant Paediatrician, leading furniture design specialist, themselves and the manufacturers do consider the half-mast option unsafe.

This is why they are no longer advising people to use them in the half mast permission in any circumstances, the new ones being sold don't have this option and the screwdrivers/screws are being sent out.

"A small but plausible risk that a baby could move onto or over the side of the crib and suffer injury or death as a result" is the phrase that the NCT use in their official statement.

NCT, from my dealing with them, do appear to be a haphazard shambles of an organisation.

I do think they needed to provide clearer guidance when the accident happened. When I checked all they had done was taken the product off sale with no explanation

YouGottaKeep

But you specifically said they are putting men's rights ahead of women's. What are you basing that on?
Reading a mum's vs dad's view isn't a right. Having a women's only class isn't a right.

You've made a hella inflammatory statement with nothing to back it up...

YouGottaKeep

I can't see how any of those examples given show that they put men's rights ahead of women's?