Baby Products

Finding products for your baby can be stressful and complicated. With so many different types of the same thing out on the market, parents find themselves stressing over the smallest details of each product to help them decide. One thing remains true: No matter the price, features, or brand, safety should be the highest priority in choosing a baby product

Strollers

• Strollers should have a wheel brake so that they don’t roll away when unattended or on a slightly inclined surface The best brakes lock the wheels themselves, instead of simply relying on pressure on the rubber tire.
• The stroller should be stable and have a relatively low center of gravity. The wheel base should be wide and the seat should be low in the frame. If the baby stands up in his/her seat and leans backwards towards the handlebars, the stroller should not fall backwards. NEVER lay items on the handlebar as it can cause the stroller to tip backwards.
• The stroller should not have any parts that can pinch a child’s fingers or have element that can be a choking hazard.

Toys

• Before buying a product, check www.cpsc.gov to ensure that the toy has not had a safety recall.
• Babies have a tendency to stick anything and everything in their mouths. Make sure the toy has no removable small parts that can be swallowed.
• Allows obey manufacturer’s age recommendations. Just because you think your child is precocious doesn’t meant that he/she can use a toy intended for older kids.
• Try not to give toys from carnivals, fairs, or vending machines, as they typically do not have to meet child safety standards.

Changing Tables

• Make sure the changing table is sturdy.
• Changing surfaces should have guardrails on all 4 sides to ensure the baby cannot fall out. The rails should be at least 3 inches in height.
• Storage compartments for things like diapers and wipes are great amenities to have in a changing table. They’ll reduce the likelihood that you’ll have to leave your baby unattended.

Cribs

• Make sure that the distance between the slates are small enough to prevent a baby from falling out of the crib. Also, measure the slates to ensure that the baby cannot trap his/her head between the slates.
• Firm mattress are the safest, as soft mattresses are believed to play a role in SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
• The mattress must fit snugly in the crib to prevent the baby from squeezing in the gaps.