As parents, we want the best for our kids, right? We try to protect them from harm as much as humanly possible, and we do our best to keep them clean, comfy, and well-fed. And these days, there are tons of baby products on the market to make moms' lives easier. Yay for that!
Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that all these products are safe for babies. Even though items are marketed as baby-friendly, that doesn't necessarily mean they're safe (especially if they're used incorrectly). We’ve rounded up a list of potentially unsafe baby products that you might want to skip when you make that mile-long baby registry.
From unsafe ingredients to fire hazards, these products might mean well, but each of them can easily be considered a dangerous baby item. That’s why you might want to stay away from these potentially unsafe baby products and stick with safer alternatives if possible.
Unsafe Baby Product No. 1: Wipe Warmer
While we applaud the notion behind the invention of the wipe warmer (eliminate unhappy infants with cold butts), it’s a pretty impractical device that can actually become dangerous. There have been several reports of wipe warmers catching fire, which makes sense when you consider the combination of damp wipes and an electrical cord. All things considered, this is a product you’re probably better off without.
Safe Solution:
Our suggestion? If you’re really concerned with keeping your baby’s bottom warm during diaper changes, use a warm washcloth.
Unsafe Baby Product No. 2: Baby Monitor
There’s nothing like a good baby monitor to give peace of mind to frazzled, sleep-deprived parents. The ability to hear or even see your baby when you’re not in the room is priceless. What’s not so good? Giving other people the same ability. Yikes. Lately, there have been many stories in the news of baby monitors being hacked.
Safe Solution:
To avoid this totally icky problem, be sure to protect your Wi-Fi by using a strong password and only giving it out to immediate family members. Register your monitor to ensure you’re keeping software and hardware updated as frequently as necessary, and disable remote access when you’re not using it.
Unsafe Baby Product No. 3: Teething Gel
It’s hard to see your little one in pain, which makes teething so difficult. That’s why lots of parents reach for teething gel any time their baby is cutting teeth. But not anymore. Earlier this year, the FDA officially warned parents to stop using teething gels containing benzocaine due to the risk of a dangerous condition called methemoglobinemia. This scary-sounding condition can cause serious respiratory issues in babies and young children. And sadly, going the natural route won’t solve the problem — almost all “natural” or homeopathic teething gels have been pulled from shelves due to unsafe levels of belladonna, which is poisonous and can be fatal even in small amounts.
Safe Solution:
Place a wet washcloth in the freezer for a few minutes until it’s cold, then let baby chew on it for relief of super-sore gums and teeth.
Unsafe Baby Product No. 4: Bumbo Seat
These bizarre-looking seats made of colorful plastic were created to help the littlest family member sit upright, which is super fun and cute (does anyone not have pictures of their baby in a Bumbo seat?). But it turns out these infant seats can be incredibly dangerous if not used properly. Some parents, lulled into a false sense of security, use the Bumbo seat on high surfaces, like the kitchen counter. While it’s great to hang with your baby while you’re cooking, these seats can easily tip off the counter, causing severe injury to your little one.
Safe Solution:
If you choose to use a Bumbo seat, don’t ever use it anywhere except the floor. To avoid the falling issue altogether, just prop baby using pillows and/or blankets.
Unsafe Baby Product No. 5: Headbands
It’s rare to see a baby girl without one of those adorable, oversized headbands for her debut photo sesh, which is fine. But be aware that anything that wraps around a baby’s head should be monitored carefully, since it can fall down around the neck and become a serious strangulation hazard.
Safe Solution:
It’s fine to have your baby wear a cute, trendy headband. Just remove it when putting your baby down to sleep or whenever you can’t directly supervise her, such as when she’s riding in a rear-facing car seat.
Unsafe Baby Product No. 6: Car Seat Head Adjusters
Another day, another car seat safety recommendation, right? Now safety experts have turned their attention to infant head positioners, calling them dangerous because they have a tendency to push baby’s head down and forward, which can restrict breathing.
Safe Solution:
Skip these. Tons of research and studies go into National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommendations, so it’s wise to heed their warnings. Don’t use any aftermarket items in your infant’s car seat, no matter how helpful they might seem.
Unsafe Baby Product No. 7: Baby Powder
Powder has been freshening the bums of babes for decades, but in recent years, certain baby powder companies have come under fire for including the ingredient talc in their powder. In some studies, talc has been loosely identified as carcinogenic to humans, though further studies are needed to prove this theory.
Safe Solution:
If you really want to use powder during your baby’s diaper changes, stick with talc-free or cornstarch-based powder.
Unsafe Baby Product No. 8: Crib Quilt and Bumper
Those super-adorable patterned crib sets can set your ovaries aflutter imagining the possibilities of your future baby’s Instagram-worthy nursery. But sadly, they’re not as safe as they seem. Both crib quilts (and blankets) and bumpers have been linked to several cases of SIDS and/or suffocation deaths in young babies.
Safe Solution:
If you find a pattern you just can’t pass up, consider using the crib quilt as a mat for your baby to play on while awake, or hang it on the wall in the nursery. And skip that fluffy bumper for a mesh version — it’ll keep your baby safer, and there’s nothing more important than that!
Unsafe Baby Product No. 9: DockATot
Move over, because there’s a new baby product in town! Ringing in at a hefty $95 (or more) is the DockATot, and it does just that: It docks your tot. It’s trendy, it’s adorable, it’s… not always safe. The DockATot was originally intended to be a place for baby to hang out (awake) while you got some hands-free time. But it quickly morphed into a mighty cozy place for baby to nap and sleep. Because this product isn’t meant for sleeping, it can actually be dangerous — DockATots act like pillows, which are unsafe for little ones and can lead to SIDS.
Safe Solution:
Despite its popularity, the DockATot is basically an overpriced pillow, and we all know pillows just aren’t safe for babies. It’s probably best to skip this unsafe trend and opt for the recommended hard, flat surface when it comes time for baby to sleep. If you do want to get one (after all, they’re so cute), make sure your baby only spends time in it while awake.
Unsafe Baby Product No. 10: Bathtub Seats
Most of us know that it’s never a good idea to leave a baby unattended in the bathtub. But in a quest for convenience, a few companies have created bath seats that use either suction cups or suspension rods to “secure” the seat so it won’t tip. While these seem great in theory, they can easily lull parents into a false sense of safety. Babies are wiggly and slippery, especially in the bath, which makes it totally possible for them to slip out of these seats and drown.
Safe Solution:
You’re better off using a traditional baby bathtub and bringing your baby with you if you have to step away during her bath.
Keeping your baby safe should be every parent’s first priority. Although there are a ton of cute products out there that seem perfect for your little one, always remember to research the safety of the item before using it. If you’re ever unsure about the safety of a baby product, check with your pediatrician.
