Soothe safe
Soothing and calming a restless baby can be challenging.
Before you reach for products to help you soothe your baby, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your baby as safe as possible.
Steps for soothing safe
- Some products designed to settle and soothe, like dummies and dummy chains, have minimum safety or information requirements. Check Australian safety standards and bans for product specific requirements and look for labels that show they comply.
- Products may be removed from the market if they are not safe. Check if a product has been recalled in Australia or overseas by visiting the Product Safety Australia website and the OECD GlobalRecalls portal, and consider registering to receive up-to-date recall alerts.
- Buying online? Look at photographs and the listing description carefully – they should include warning labels and the age range the product is designed for. If the supplier doesn’t provide this information, don’t buy the product – it’s not worth the risk.
- Research the product and supplier. Online ratings and reviews are a great source of information, too.
- Always read product warnings and labels, follow instructions for safe assembly, use and maintenance, and only use the product for its designed purpose.
- Regularly check for wear and tear – don’t use a damaged product.
- When your baby begins to roll, inclined products such as bouncers, rockers and baby swing chairs should not be used, as the baby may roll into a position that blocks the airways or smothers their face.
- The Product Safety Australia website also has safety information on use of inclined products.
Dummies
