Experts are urging parents to be cautious when purchasing popular “must-have” sleep aids and feeding products for babies, citing potential safety risks. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has highlighted “hidden dangers” associated with some of these items, which could put infants at risk of choking, suffocation, and overheating.
RoSPA has specifically identified several products that may pose hazards to babies:
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Self-feeding cushions, also marketed as hands-free baby bottle holders, are intended to prop up a baby’s bottle during feeding. However, RoSPA warns these can make it harder for babies to control milk flow, increasing the risk of choking.
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Baby sleep positioners, sometimes sold as baby pillows, cuddle cushions, or anti-roll pillows, are designed to keep infants in a particular sleeping position. The organisation cautions that restricting a baby’s movement in this way and placing items in their sleep environment heightens the risk of suffocation.
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In-cot sleep aids, including sleep aid pillows, may contribute to suffocation or overheating hazards.
RoSPA emphasises that the safest sleeping arrangements are often the simplest: infants should sleep on their backs in a clear cot, Moses basket, or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress, devoid of extra bedding or soft items.
The organisation advises parents to look for CE or UKCA safety markings on baby products and to be wary of items lacking clear safety assessment information. Some products have been recalled due to the dangers they present.
Rebecca Guy, senior policy manager at RoSPA, said: “Every parent wants what’s best for their baby, and it’s natural to seek products that make feeding or sleeping easier. However, some items can introduce risks that may not be immediately obvious, especially when marketed as essential. Keeping sleep spaces simple and free from unnecessary items helps protect babies and can also ease financial pressures on families.”
Parents are encouraged to carefully consider the necessity and safety implications of baby products before making a purchase to ensure the wellbeing of their infants.