Essential items like baby carriers, cribs, mattresses and walkers are often at the top of many baby registries. But a new study published in the journal Pediatrics shows this commonly used gear might be causing more harm than good, leading experts to believe greater measures should be taken to protect your children.
The study — conducted from 1991 to 2011 — found that common baby gear items like those mentioned above sent more than 66,000 children ages 3 and under to the emergency room each year. Nearly 90 percent of these injuries happened at home, with more than half taking place before a child’s 1st birthday.
“What’s surprising is how many children are still experiencing nursery product-related injuries serious enough to result in a trip to the emergency department – one every eight minutes,” senior study author Dr. Gary Smith told NewsMax.
Baby carriers, including baby slings and other carriers worn on the body and car seat-style carriers, were the most common cause of nursery product-related injuries (19.5 percent.) Cribs and mattresses, strollers and carriages, and baby walkers, jumpers and exercisers were also found to be responsible for a high number of injuries.
These everyday items were among some of the most recalled baby products from 2009 to 2012, with many of the goods still in use.
“These products are intended to help parents raise their children,” the study said. “However, nursery products can pose a threat to the well-being of young children, especially if the products do not meet current safety standards.”
Injuries related to falling were associated with 80 percent of emergency room visits, and, as a result, the head and neck were the “most frequently injured” parts of a young child’s body.
“Greater efforts are warranted to prevent injuries associated with other nursery products, especially baby carriers, cribs and strollers,” the study said. “Prevention of falls and concussions/closed head injuries associated with nursery products also deserves special attention.”
