How to Carry a Baby in a Sling
Carrying children in slings creates a better bond between the parent and child, insists supporters of babywearing, but at what cost? A recent article in Australian newspaper The Age draws attention again to the fact that, if a baby is carried incorrectly in a sling, he or she can suffocate to death. The newspaper quotes experts telling parents to be watchful of their babies in slings.
As The Age mentions, not all parents are aware of the safety hazards of baby slings. Still, the Australian Competition and Consumer Committee, which issued the warning about slings, is developing safety standards for these popular baby carriers.
As we discussed before, baby carriers can face forwards and backwards, but how a baby is positioned is crucial. If you own a sling and are uncertain about how to use it, keep in mind the following points, courtesy of New York Times’ Motherload, and watch the video below:
• The baby should be in the same curved position as it is in your arms. The sling should not be loose enough that the baby moves away from the parent.
• The baby’s head should be close enough for the parent to kiss without bending.
• The sling must be tight enough around the parent and baby.
• The baby’s face should always be visible – never covered by fabric.
• When using the sling, parents should not feel back or neck pain. Otherwise, the carrier is being worn incorrectly.
A bond between the parent and child is important but not at the expense of the baby’s safety. Although instructions may not accompany a sling, find out beforehand how to position and carry a baby. If you need visuals for the steps above, watch the following video below for putting on a baby sling and positioning your baby inside:
Should You Bring Young Children to Restaurants, Bars, Concerts?
In July, McDain’s Restaurant in Monroeville, Pa., decided to ban children under 6 years of age. Their reasoning? Children disturb other customers and are loud. Because children, unlike the elderly, are not a protected class, banning them is legal.
Parents, of course, disagree. Such rules, they argue in an editorial from PennLive.com, will reduce business and ultimately punish responsible parents.
But, at the same time, what constitutes a “responsible parent”? One who takes a child outside when he or she starts screaming? One who makes sure a child behaves well around adults? Or one who does not take his or her children to adult-oriented places and events, such as concerts and bars?
Tony Hicks, a writer for the Costa Contra Times argues for the former. Detailing his experience at a recent Katy Perry concert, which, in design only, appears kid-friendly, Hicks takes a stance that some spaces, such as concerts late at night, simply aren’t for young children – who should be in bed, rather than be brought along. Additionally, he states that toddlers and young children should not be exposed to the drunken and disorderly behavior, drugs, and sexual atmosphere of many concerts:
The bottom line is that some concerts shouldn’t be open to kids of a certain age. I could see taking a 12-year-old to Katy Perry; maybe even a 10-year-old. But 2 and 4? That’s why they have “Sesame Street Live,” the Wiggles, “Disney on Ice” and Justin Bieber, who’s kind of like a Muppet with better hair. Kids aren’t supposed to be our little party buddies. They’re supposed to be home, getting a good night’s sleep. They have plenty of time to get their eardrums blown out at concerts later in life.
Do you agree with Hicks, that some spaces should be reserved only for adults? Should children always be brought along? And, should restaurants be put in the same category as Slipknot or Katy Perry concerts?
Drop-Side Cribs Still Sold Online
We’ve been following changing crib regulations for the past year, and while retail stores, daycares, and hotels have removed these antiquated and dangerous models, the internet is still not thoroughly regulated in regards to selling drop side cribs merchandise. A piece in USA Today mentions that, while drop-side cribs were officially banned on June 28, they continue to surface on Craigslist and eBay.
Much like buying secondhand baby products, purchasing on the internet is another approach, albeit risky, to saving money with a new child. Nevertheless, shopping for used baby furniture online poses greater risks than going to a consignment or thrift store for the same products – especially if you browse through listings on Craigslist or eBay.
While eBay, according to USA Today, has regulations in place and recently shut down crib auctions, sellers of drop-side cribs continued to slip through previously. Craigslist, on the other hand, is not as thoroughly monitored. Although the site changed its “prohibition notices and information page” to reflect recent crib regulations, listings are still flagged by users only.
While purchasing used baby products online is one option for saving money with a new child, approach it with caution – much more than if you were purchasing secondhand goods in person. With all secondhand baby products, online or in person, always be wary of furniture, as these items have the most wear and tear and are inferior in quality to new products. Additionally, as you can see from the recent news stories, recalled products may pop up online.
A parent in person can test out the sturdiness of the baby product; on the internet, this is not possible, and instead, the buyer relies on the seller’s description, which is not always accurate.
For inexpensive baby products, go to the internet for clothing, but avoid it altogether for furniture, as it poses too many risks. If secondhand baby furniture is a must, however, because of budget, opt for hand-me-downs or browse through thrift and consignment stores – or any place where you can test the stability of the item before purchasing.
Recent Baby Product Recalls Include Maclaren Strollers
If you can remember about 18 months ago, prominent stroller manufacturer Maclaren recalled about 1 million strollers in November 2009. Although the stroller brand has since developed a safer model, a recall of past brands occurred a month ago.
Although baby product recalls appear to have dropped since drop side cribs were banned, some items still pose hazards. In particular are Maclaren strollers and Falls Creek slipper socks for infants. The latter of these two – bug-shaped baby socks – has balls at the ends, which can detach and pose choking hazards. Maclaren strollers, on the other hand, are being recalled for the same reason they were in 2009: a hinge mechanism that poses finger amputation or laceration hazards to a child when the stroller is opened.
The recalled amount is still the same – 1 million strollers – and since November 2009, 37 additional safety incidents have occurred. The products being recalled are all single and double umbrella strollers sold between 1999 and November 2009. Maclaren strollers sold after May 2010 have a different hinge design and are not part of this recall.
Just as in 2009, parents with these recalled Maclaren strollers can purchase a repair kit for the hinge cover and should contact the manufacturer by email or by telephone.
If you are a parent with such a stroller by Maclaren, what is the best course of action in this case? As with all recalls, first stop using the product. Even though your child has not been injured, he or she could be if you continue to use the stroller. Second, seek out a repair kit or look for a new stroller. Although the hinge kit is design to make this model safer, the recalled product is an umbrella stroller, which is somewhat more affordable to replace than a standard or jogger design. Additionally, a new stroller, one that has not been recalled, is safer for your child. To avoid purchasing another recalled stroller, check on Recalls.gov.
The Dangers of Fire Retardant Chemicals in Baby Products
Filed under: Baby Clothes, Baby Gear, Baby Health, Baby Safety, Baby Sleeping
The hazards of exposing babies to fire retardant chemicals are not new news. Manufacturers of green baby products have been touting this for years, and even in the ‘70s, a toxic fire retardant chemical found to cause cancer in animals was removed from baby pajamas. Nevertheless, even though the dangers of having such chemicals near your baby, in toys, in mattresses, and even in household dust, many baby products still contain fire retardant chemicals.
According to a recent article published in USA Today, toddlers and preschoolers have levels of fire retardant chemicals three times higher than those in adults. While adults are not immune to the effects of such chemicals, babies and young children are particularly affected by exposure: Brain development or behavior may be altered, or a child many have a lower IQ or learning problems, among other issues.
At the same time, most items are made with fire retardant chemicals, primarily as the result of California’s strict standards. An article published in the Los Angeles Times in 2009 questions the effectiveness and necessity of these chemicals. Added to save lives and reduce exposure to fire, constant exposure to these chemicals is dangerous, and during a fire, the chemicals are released into the air.
Although California is loosening its standards for baby products, most items for children still include fire retardant chemicals: 56 percent of infant carriers, 44 percent of car seats, and 40 percent of portable cribs. Parents, as a result, also have a difficult time finding baby products free of fire retardant chemicals, but knowing which brands to look for makes a search easier.
As infants sleep 70 percent of their first year, finding a mattress free of fire retardant chemicals and phthalates is a significant concern for parents. Naturepedic is one of the prominent brands of such chemical-free products. Using no vinyl, PVC, or polyurethane foam, Naturepedic baby mattresses are tested for chemical emissions and are Greenguard certified. Each mattress has a waterproof surface made out of 100-percent food grade polypropylene, organic cotton filing, and a non-toxic and naturally-derived fire barrier system.
Drop Side Dilemma: Hold onto the Crib or Buy a New One?
On a purely logical level of safety concerns, drop side cribs would be tossed, and parents would purchase stationary-side models for their babies. Although drop side cribs are banned from retailers, secondhand stores, daycares, hotels, and any establishment using or selling cribs, parents are an exception. While owning a drop side crib is not illegal if you are a parent, what about the safety of your child?
The North County Times describes the dilemma parents are facing. When you receive a drop side crib as a hand-me-down or already own one and cannot afford another model, what do you do? If a new stationary crib is out of your budget for the moment, the North County Times piece suggests the following:
• Research any recalls from the manufacturer. If cribs by the manufacturer were never recalled, your design is likely safer than those that were.
• Check for any hazards. As we saw in various instances, poorly- or cheaply-made hardware caused many drop sides to fall down on a child inside the crib.
At the same time, if you can purchase a new crib, what design should you buy? Presently, baby furniture retailers carry stationary-side cribs only, but not all are the same.
At the moment, however, convertible cribs are the latest trend for parents. The product lives up to its name and is designed to last for several years. Once a child is too large for the crib, it converts to a toddler bed, which a child may use up through preschool. Rather than the two years you ordinarily get from a crib, a convertible design gives you at least four. Some convertible cribs even take this concept a step further. This AFG Furniture crib converts to a toddler bed and then to a full-size day bed or sofa bed.
What Happens If My Baby Products Are Recalled?
Filed under: Baby Gear, Baby Safety, Baby Sleeping, Baby Toys, Parenting
Drop side crib
In the event of the recall you should find out if the manufacturer will be sending out safety kits to correct the hazard. If not, a newer baby product needs to be purchased.
Always think about recalls beforehand and send in a registration card for the baby product. You never know when it will come in handy.
A product recall, on the other hand, is often a last resort, one taken as the result of multiple injuries or deaths. Like we saw with drop side cribs, many brands were recalled over the past decade for entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation-related deaths. Enough brand recalls over time resulted in the government banning the product from stores, daycares, and any location needing cribs.
Before you hear about a product recall, check the baby toys and furniture yourself. U.S. News & World Report gives the following suggestions for parents:
• Toys should not be able to fit in a child’s mouth.
• Always look for broken parts on the toy and around you home.
• Keep toys designed for older children out of reach.
• Avoid motorized toys, cords and strings, and balloons.
• Find out if the toys are safety tested.
• Always throw away the packaging.
Take a similar approach with baby furniture. Look for suffocation hazards inside a crib, such as stuffed animals or bumpers. Check the durability of hardware. If any item in the nursery has a cord, keep it as far away from the crib as possible.
Children Recommended to Use Car Seats Until Age 2
Associated Press ran a story recently about changing recommendations for car seats. According to separate data from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children are the safest inside a vehicle when in a rear-facing car seat. Additionally, children who have outgrown car seats should stay in booster seats with seatbelts until they are 4’ 9”.
You might say to yourself, “Isn’t a 2-year-old too big for a car seat?” Not necessarily. As the AP story explains, manufacturers of car seats now make them in sizes up to 35 pounds, a large size for a 2-year old. If your child grows quicker, he or she needs to be placed in a larger car seat.
Both studies analyzed crashes over the past 15 years to see which methods work and which do not. According to their studies, a child who is in a rear-facing car seat is five times less likely to be injured in a crash. But this statistic is not random. Rear-facing car seats offer better spine, neck, and head support in an accident, as the force of the collision is distributed evenly over a child’s body.
Additional standards have been added for car safety. Aside from booster seats, children under 13 years of age should not ride in the front of a car.
If you are a parent, what should you look for in a car seat? For babies, a car seat should support a 22 to 35-pound child and needs a five-point harness with strap slots below or at the shoulders and a front adjuster. Car seats for infants and newborns need to incline 45 degrees and should have an indicator of incline.
Parents, as you can see from The Star Press article, are not completely sold on these new recommendations. Some prefer to see their child in the back and have their baby see the outdoors, while others think their children not yet 2-year-olds are already too large for car seats.
Even Without Drop Sides, Cribs Still Cause Injuries
Since 2007, 11 million cribs have been recalled, with a significant amount from 2009 and ’10. As the CPSC currently examines or recalls other sleep-related baby products, such as bassinets, corded monitors, sleep positioners, and crib bumpers, products that don’t end up on recall lists can still cause injuries. Although the ban on drop side cribs, enforced from the start of 2011, will likely eliminate a large portion of crib injuries, are there any measures to protect your child?
According to an article in Reuters, approximately 26 babies are injured by a sleeping place – a crib, bassinet, or playpen – per day. This amounts to 9,500 fatal and non-fatal injuries resulting from such baby furniture per year. As the Reuters piece explains, many of the injuries are not related directly to the furniture: A child stands up, leans against the side of the crib, and falls out.
Other injuries often result from faulty hardware, which is often the cause of many recalls. Just last week, 500,000 bassinets by Burlington Bassinet Co. were recalled because of rails that did not fully lock in place. Nearly all drop side crib injuries resulted from poorly-constructed hardware, such as a plastic lock that could break and loosen the movable side.
If you have a baby and are concerned about his or her safety in a crib or bassinet, what are your options? First, always make sure the hardware of the furniture is assembled properly and check it regularly. Second, make sure all baby furniture you own has not been recalled; as we explained last week, this is as simple as finding the product’s model number and running it through the CPSC website. Third, be cautious with crib bumpers, sleep positioners, monitors, and any other baby products put inside or near your child’s crib or bassinet.
Large Baby Sleep Products Recall Prompts Concerns from Parents
Last week, we discussed the Summer Infant baby monitor recall and offered some solutions for creating a safer sleeping area, such as placing the corded monitor farther from the crib or going with a wireless model. Since this time, however, the number of recalled baby sleeping-related products has doubled. 1.7 million Summer Infant monitors have been taken off shelves, and 500,000 bassinets by Burlington Bassinet Co. and 800,000 car seats by manufacturer Dorel were recalled since then.
Burlington bassinets, primarily sold at Wal-Mart, are a hazard if the support rails at the bottom are not fully locked in place. The bassinet, if not assembled properly, can fall and injure the child inside. Refunds will not be issued, but a hardware kit will be available to correct the problem. Dorel car seats, which go under brand names like Safety 1st, Cosco, Quinny, Maxi-Cosi, Disney, and Eddie Bauer, have a faulty button.
Because of this recent surge in baby product recalls – in addition to the CPSC investigation of crib bumpers — parents are beginning to feel uncertain about purchasing baby products or accepting hand-me-downs. Generally, as the WBALTV.com piece explains, baby products, particularly baby furniture, become a hazard if the hardware is defective (i.e.: breaks easily) or is not correctly assembled. If you are concerned about a product being recalled, find the model number, which is located on the product, and run it through the CPSC website.
What about if you currently own a recalled baby product, such as the many parents stuck with drop-side cribs? Reactions vary, according to this piece from Associated Press. Parents are worried about purchasing baby cribs and other gear secondhand, but others, already using a drop-side crib for a child, decide to purchase new models or, because it has been sturdy, keep the drop side design.