IF you have babies at home, you’re probably constantly worried about keeping them safe.
Most parents decide to baby-proof their homes and don’t feel comfortable leaving their little ones alone for too long.
With so many baby toys and gadgets out there, it can be difficult to know which ones are safe and which are dangerous.
Below is a list of 10 products you should avoid because of the risk they pose to infants.
Crib tents have become popular among parents who want to stop their babies from crawling out of the tent.
The problem is: babies often pull and tug on the mesh closing.
If this breaks apart, it can become a death trap for your little one to get all tangled up in.
Instead, try a toddler bed.
Most parents have heard about the dangers of babies flipping to their stomachs at night.
Sleep positioners are wedged or flat mattresses that aim to keep the baby on his back— but they’re actually really dangerous.
They increase the risk of suffocation, with the CPSC reporting 13 deaths in 13 years from these products.
Instead, just let your baby sleep. Once he has the neck strength to roll over, he will control it.
Although crib bumpers make your nursery look frilly and adorable, it’s best to avoid them.
They pose suffocation and strangulation risks and have even been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
If you want something to prevent your baby from sticking his arm through the crib, opt for a breathable, mesh liner instead.
To help babies learn how to walk, many moms and dads invest in a walker.
The wheeled devices give babies the help they need to walk around the house before they can do it on their own.
But in reality, these too pose risks.
Every year, more than 21,300 injuries associated with babies rolling down the stairs in walkers are reported in the emergency room.
Instead, purchase a stationary baby activity center that will let your little one move around on a secure base.
If you’re nursing, you’ve probably heard of a co-sleeper. It allows your baby to sleep near you so you don’t have to get up to breastfeed.
The downside is: they increase the risk of suffocation and the chances of a parent rolling over onto the baby during sleep.
Just opt for a bassinet or full-sized crib instead.
When it comes to the car, many parents want to distract their kids from long, bumpy rides as much as possible.
But the truth is, most of these little mirrors and stuffed animals attached to the front of the seat aren’t safe. What if one of them hit your little one on the face during a bumpy ride?
Instead, give the baby a teether to occupy his time.
Although bath seats do help infants sit upright, they also increase the risk of tipping over—because they aren’t as sturdy as they look.
175 bath seat-related deaths have been reported over the past 16 years.
Just use a hard, plastic tub instead. And never leave the room during bath time!
While these colorful, tiny chairs might look like a convenient way to seat your baby while you feed him, steer clear.
The product was once recalled because babies toppled out of it, but it’s now back on the market with a sort of seat belt strap.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean the whole thing can’t tip over with the baby in it.
Instead, opt for a bouncer or stationary activity center.
Sling carriers offer a handsfree, adorable way to walk around with your baby in tow.
But the truth is, over the past 20 years, there have been 14 deaths related to this product.
Sling carriers not only increase the risk of suffocation, but also skull injuries, head injuries, and fractures.
Instead, use a handheld baby carrier, backpack carrier, or stroller to take your little one around.
When it comes to the crib, just avoid all those plush blankets and pillows that call your attention.
Your baby can get tangled up in a blanket or smothered by a pillow.
Instead, use a sleep sack, footed onesie, or swaddler.
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