Parenting has changed a lot since I was a kid — and even more since I first became a parent myself. Over the years, new research, safety guidelines, and just plain common sense have reshaped not only how we raise our children, but also the products we trust to care for them.
I remember seeing (and sometimes using) certain baby gear that was considered perfectly normal back then, but today would make any pediatrician cringe. Some of these items were staples in almost every home; others were trendy “must-haves” that, looking back, make me wonder how we ever thought they were safe.
So let’s take a little trip down memory lane and look at some once-popular parenting items that are now banned — and for good reason.
1. Drop-Side Cribs
Drop-side cribs were once a staple in nurseries worldwide. However, due to a significant number of accidents and fatalities, they were banned in the United States in 2011. The problem lay in their design; the movable side could detach unexpectedly, creating a gap where babies could become trapped, leading to suffocation or strangulation.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued the ban after the cribs were linked to more than 30 infant deaths in a decade. This ban marked one of the most extensive crib recalls in U.S. history. Today, parents are advised to use cribs with fixed sides for the safety of their little ones. If you still have a drop-side crib, it’s recommended you discontinue its use immediately.
2. Baby Walkers
Baby walkers may seem like the perfect tool for helping your little one learn to walk, but they have a dark side. These devices have been banned in Canada since 2004 due to the risk of severe injuries.
According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, over 230,000 children under the age of 15 months were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for baby walker-related injuries from 1990 to 2014. The injuries often occurred when children fell down stairs or reached dangerous items while in the walker. Experts now recommend stationary activity centers as a safer alternative to baby walkers.
3. Crib Tents
Crib tents were designed to keep babies safe and confined within their cribs. However, they have been linked to several accidents and deaths due to strangulation and entrapment risks.
In 2008, Tots in Mind, a major manufacturer of crib tents, recalled several of their products following reports of kids getting tangled in the tents’ mesh canopy. Following the recall, the CPSC urged parents to stop using all crib tents and play yard tents immediately. It’s advisable to stick to basic safety-approved cribs without any add-ons for your child’s safety.
4. Sleep Positioners
At one point, sleep positioners were marketed to anxious parents as a tool for reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, these products have since been banned due to safety concerns.
In 2010, the FDA and CPSC issued a joint warning against sleep positioners after they were linked to 12 infant deaths in the U.S. The babies were reported to have rolled from their sides to their stomachs while using the positioners, leading to suffocation. Nowadays, experts advise that the safest position for babies to sleep is on their backs, without any positioners or loose bedding.
5. Bumbo Baby Seats
Bumbo Baby Seats, popular for their ability to help infants sit up, have faced controversy over safety concerns.
The seats were recalled in 2012 after there were reports of babies falling and suffering skull fractures. The CPSC advises parents to never use Bumbo Baby Seats on elevated surfaces. Today, alternatives that include safety straps or belts are recommended, and always under close supervision.
6. Crib Bumpers
Crib bumpers were originally designed to protect infants from hitting their heads or getting limbs stuck in crib slats. However, these items have been banned in several jurisdictions due to suffocation risks.
Research has shown that crib bumpers present a serious risk of strangulation and suffocation to infants. Experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), now recommend against using any form of crib bumper. Instead, parents are advised to keep cribs bare and to use a firm, tight-fitting mattress.
7. Certain Models of the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper
The Rock ‘n Play Sleeper was touted as a miracle product that could soothe fussy babies to sleep. However, its design, which allows babies to sleep on an incline, led to fatal accidents.
In 2019, Fisher-Price recalled all models of the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper after they were linked to over 30 infant deaths. The AAP warns against using products that require an infant to be restrained or that have inclines greater than 10 degrees. It’s best to stick to flat and firm sleeping surfaces for your baby.
8. Baby Powder
Baby powder, specifically talc-based baby powder, has been a staple in baby care for decades. However, concerns over health risks have led to its fall from grace.
Johnson & Johnson, one of the leading manufacturers of baby powder, stopped selling its talc-based powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020 after facing thousands of lawsuits from people claiming that the product caused cancer. Experts now recommend cornstarch-based powders or simply skipping baby powder altogether.
9. Certain Teething Jewelry
Teething jewelry might seem like a great solution for a teething baby, but certain types have been deemed unsafe.
Texas Children’s warned against using teething jewelry after reports of serious injuries and death in infants and children. Specifically, the FDA cited concerns about choking, strangulation, injury to the mouth, and infection. Instead of teething jewelry, parents can use firm rubber teething rings or gently rub or massage the child’s gums with a clean finger.
10. Toy Chests Without Safety Lids
Toy chests are great for storage, but older models without safety lids have been banned due to suffocation and strangulation hazards.
In 1996, the CPSC issued safety guidelines for toy chests after several reports of child fatalities. The guidelines require toy chests to have lids that stay open in any position or have holes for ventilation in case a child gets trapped inside. If you have an old toy chest, it’s time to replace it with a safer model or remove the lid entirely.
11. Certain Baby Slings
Baby slings are popular for their convenience, but some models have been banned due to suffocation risks.
In 2010, Infantino recalled over a million of their “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” slings after they were linked to three infant deaths. The NPR recommends choosing a carrier that keeps the baby in a “face-out” position until they have full head control. Always ensure the baby’s face is not covered and is visible at all times while in a sling.