Every parent’s priority is to keep their child safe. Children are most vulnerable as babies and need extra care to ensure they stay safe at this age. There are many products that are advertised as being for babies, but some of these products may not be as safe as they seem. If you want to keep your baby safe you should use the safest baby crib mattresses, toys, high chairs, and other products while avoiding unsafe products, such as:

1. Crib bumpers

While crib bumpers are designed to keep babies from hitting their heads on the crib slats, they may be more dangerous than expected. This is because crib bumpers pose a suffocation hazard. One study in The Journal of Pediatrics found that 27 children aged 1 month to 2 years old died from suffocating related to bumpers between 1985 and 2005. It isn’t worth the risk and it’s best to have a crib with nothing but a mattress and fitted sheet in it.

2. Crib tents

Crib tents are another product designed to keep kids safe that poses a suffocation risk. They are supposed to prevent children from climbing out of their cribs but the fabric of these tents can cover a child’s face and result in suffocation or strangulation. It is recommended that if your child is old enough to climb out of their crib to change them over to a toddler bed.

3. Changing tables with less than 4 sides

A changing table with less than 4 sides is not safe and should be avoided. This is because it isn’t secure enough for a baby as the baby could roll off of the changing table and get injured or worse. It is important to always stay at your baby’s side while it is on a changing table. Another alternative is a changing mat that can be put on the floor.

4. Bedside sleepers

A bedside sleeper or co-sleeper is a product that allows a baby to sleep alongside their parent’s bed. They are often used by nursing mothers or mothers who want to keep their babies close to themselves. However, these pose a risk as parents can roll over onto their baby causing suffocation among other risks.

5. Walkers

Baby walkers are used to help babies and toddlers walk around before they are able to on their own. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that around 4,000 children younger than 5 were injured due to baby walkers, jumpers, and stationary exercisers in 2010. This product should be avoided because children can fall down stairs or encounter other dangers while using this product.

There are many safe options when choosing baby products such as the Newton baby mattress waterproof, or the Graco Benton 5-in-1 convertible crib. It is important to stay informed on which products are safe and which ones aren’t.