Even though babies are small, compact bundles, there is nothing small or simple about their accessories! Choosing products for your baby can be confusing, with all the gadgets and features available. But there is one overriding consideration that must never be compromised when picking out your baby's products, whether you're buying, borrowing, or accepting a hand-me-down: safety.

Backpacks and Soft Carriers
Babies love and need close contact, and these carriers are ideal for nestling them against their parents. Two types are available: one is pouch-like, and the other has a frame.

What to look for:
 

• The carrier should have straps that prevent your baby from falling or crawling out. Look for firm, padded head support.
• Check for ease of use. Some of the soft ones are difficult to put on because of numerous straps.
• A framed carrier should have a kickstand that locks in the open position. The folding mechanism should be free of pinch points that could catch your baby's fingers. Look for padding on the metal frame around the infant's face.
• Both you and your baby should try on the pack for comfort.
• Ideally, the fabric should be durable and easy to clean.
• Pockets or zippered compartments are handy for storing frequently needed items.

   

SAFETY NOTE: Never use a framed carrier as an infant seat. It can tip over without warning.

Bathtubs
Baby bathtubs give parents a controlled environment for cleaning a wet, slippery baby. The angle of the seat helps free a parent's hands for washing.

What to look for:
 

• The bathtub should have slip-resistant backing to keep it from moving.
• Look for a tub made of thick plastic that will stay firm in the center, even under the weight of the water.
• Avoid bath rings, baby flotation devices, and suction seats without restraining belts. These can flip over and lead to drowning.
• Beware of foam cushions; your baby could tear off pieces and swallow them.
• Some bathtubs have indentations that are convenient for holding soap, shampoo, and other cleaning supplies.

SAFETY NOTE: Never leave your baby unattended or in the care of an older sibling in the bath, even for a moment. Gather all of your bathing supplies ahead of time, and take your baby with you if you have to answer the door or the telephone.

Changing Tables
There are generally three kinds of changing tables: wooden ones with guardrails, fold-up models, and hinged chest adapters. Hinged chest adapters are not recommended - dressers with these adapters have toppled over when a baby's weight was placed close to the outer edge.

What to look for:
 

• Wooden changing tables with rails are usually the least likely to sway or tip over when a baby pulls on them from the floor.
• Fold-up models should be checked for sturdiness: when the table is open, give it a good shake.
• A wire changing table should have a wide base so that a baby can't pull it over on top of himself from the floor.
• The table should have shelves or compartments for storing everything you'll need. This prevents you from taking your eyes off your baby while you look for that hard-to-find item.
• The guardrail around the table should be 2 inches high.

SAFETY NOTE: Use the safety belt every time you change your baby.

Infant Seats
Infant seats should not be confused with infant or child safety seats. Regular infant seats simply allow young babies to sit up - they should never be used to transport infants. They are not designed to protect a baby in a crash. Some child safety seats, however, can double as infant seats.

What to look for:

• The base should be wider than the seat, and locking mechanisms should be secure. Push down on the unit to make sure it is sturdy.
• The base should feature nonskid surfacing to prevent the seat from moving on a smooth surface.
• The seat belt should be secure and the fabric washable.

SAFETY NOTE: Never take your attention off your baby while he is sitting in an infant seat that is on a table or other elevated surface. Don't place the seat on the washing machine or any other vibrating surface; the vibrations could cause the seat to move and fall off the surface. Use the seat belt every time you place your baby in the seat.

Child Safety Seats (Car Seats)
More children are seriously injured and killed in auto accidents than in any other type of accident. Using a child safety seat is the best protection you can give your child when traveling by car. Never substitute any type of infant seat for a child safety seat. Only child safety seats - properly installed in the back seat - are designed to protect a child from injury during a car accident.

What to look for:
 

• Choose a seat whose label states that it meets or exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
• Accept a used seat with caution. Never accept a seat that's more than 10 years old or one that was in a crash (even if it looks OK, it could be structurally unsound). Avoid seats that are missing parts or are not labeled with the manufacture date and model number (you'll have no way to know about recalls). Also, check the seat for the manufacturer's recommended "expiration date." If you have any doubts about the seat's history, or if it is cracked or shows signs of wear and tear, don't use it. 
• Infants 1 year or younger and up to 20 pounds must be placed in a rear-facing seat, toddlers (older than 1 year and between 20 and 40 pounds) may use a forward-facing seat, and children who are between 40 and 80 pounds need to be placed in a booster seat. 
• Be sure that the seat you choose fits your child - a smaller baby can slip out of a seat that's too large. 
• Consider choosing a seat that is upholstered in fabric - it may be more comfortable for your child.

For more information on proper installation of child safety seats and how to harness your child, read our article on auto safety.

Cribs
Cribs are responsible for the most infant deaths of all nursery products. Whether you choose a new crib or a hand-me-down, evaluate it carefully to ensure that your baby's resting place is safe.

What to look for:
 

• The distance between slats must be no more than 2 3/8 inches in order to protect infants from falling out and toddlers from trapping their heads between the slats.
• The side rails that lower should have at least two locking devices to prevent older babies from releasing them.
• When a side rail is lowered, its top should be at least 9 inches above the mattress support. To protect older babies, the top of the raised side rail must be at least 26 inches above the mattress support at its lowest position. 
• If the crib has corner posts, they must be either flush with the top of the headboard and footboard or very tall - over 16 inches. Anything in between is a potential strangulation hazard.
• Get the firmest mattress you can find. Don't rely on manufacturers' labels - test it yourself. This is extremely important because soft mattresses may play a role in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Be sure that the mattress fits snugly in the crib. This keeps a baby from slipping in between the mattress and the crib sides.
• Evaluate a used crib with extra care. There may be too much space between slats or elaborate cut-outs in the headboard and footboard that can trap a baby's head. A crib made before 1978 may have a finish that contains lead, so that crib that has been in the family for generations may not be the best one to use!

SAFETY NOTE: Check all screws and hardware regularly, and tighten them if necessary. To prevent suffocation, never place fluffy comforters, pillows, or plush toys in your baby's crib.

Gates
Gates placed at the top of stairs or in doorways are used to keep toddlers away from hazardous areas of the home. Accordion gates, which open to form diamond-shaped patterns with wide V's at the top, can trap a baby's head and have resulted in strangulation deaths. In January 1985, gate manufacturers halted production of these gates, but there are still an estimated 15 million gates in use. Mesh gates also can be dangerous because a toddler's fingers can become trapped.

What to look for:
 

• Look for a hardware-mounted gate that attaches to the door frame without any openings to trap fingers or necks.
• Pressure-mounted gates should not be used between rooms of different levels or at the top of stairs; children can dislodge them and take a tumble. Remember to place the pressure bar away from the child.
• Gates that swing out should never be used at the top of stairways.
• There should be no more than 1 to 2 inches between the floor and the gate bottom to prevent a child from slipping underneath.
• Nonflexible vertical slats or rods should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart.
• Check for sharp edges and protrusions that could hurt a toddler's hands.
• Avoid gates with structures that could give a child a foothold for climbing.
• Discontinue using the gate when the child is about 2 years old (the gate should be no less than 3/4 of the child's height).

SAFETY NOTE: Keep large toys away from the gate to prevent a child from using them to climb over.

Playpens
These high-sided, enclosed play areas are popular because they allow parents to put their baby down with the knowledge that he can't wander off. However, playpens are no substitute for adult supervision - never leave a child unattended in a playpen.

What to look for:
 

• If the playpen has mesh sides, the holes in the mesh should be no larger than 1/4 inch to keep small fingers from getting caught.
• The sides should be at least 20 inches high, measured from the floor of the playpen.
• Look for padding on the tops of the rails to protect your baby from bumps.
• The locks that allow you to lower a side should be out of your baby's reach.
• Make sure the playpen has well-protected hinges and supports that don't.
• Examine the floor of a used playpen for wear and tear.
• Because of the danger of suffocation, only one floor pad should ever be used.
• Stop using the playpen when your child can easily climb out (when he reaches a height of 34 inches or weighs 30 pounds).

SAFETY NOTE: Never leave a baby in a mesh playpen with the side lowered. The baby could get trapped between the mesh side and the floorboard.

Strollers
Strollers come in a variety of sizes and styles. When you're searching for that perfect stroller that's light and portable, keep safety in mind, too.

What to look for:
 

• Examine the stroller for reliable restraining belts. The safest design is the "T" buckle: a crotch strap and waist belts that connect together.
• The best brakes lock back wheels by engaging mechanisms in the wheels themselves, rather than relying on pressure on the tires.
• A secondary safety latch will keep the stroller open if the primary mechanism fails.
• The stroller should be free from parts that can pinch a child's fingers or pose a choking hazard.
• Check out the stroller for stability. The wheel base should be wide, and the seat should be low in the frame. The stroller should resist tipping backward when you press lightly down on the handles.
• The leg openings should be small enough to prevent an infant from slipping through.
• You should be able to steer the stroller in a straight line when pushing with one hand.
• The handlebars should be at your waist level or slightly lower.
• If you want a stroller designed to accommodate more than one child, be aware that tandem models (where the children sit one behind the other) are generally easier to maneuver than the kind where the children sit side by side. In addition, the tandem models are generally more stable and fold more compactly.

SAFETY NOTE: Never hang purses or diaper bags on the handles of a stroller. A baby could get tangled in the straps and be strangled.

Toys
Whether your baby's toy is new, homemade, or a hand-me-down, it should not only be fun, but safe, too. All toys should be checked frequently for loose or broken parts.

What to look for:
 

• Always follow all manufacturers' age recommendations. Some toys have small parts that can cause choking, so heed all warnings on a toy's packaging.
• Make sure the toy is unbreakable and has no sharp edges. It should be large enough that it can't be swallowed or lodged in the throat.
• It shouldn't have any small parts such as eyes, wheels, or buttons that can be pulled loose, and it should be strong enough to withstand chewing.
• There should be no parts that could become pinch points for small fingers.
• There shouldn't be strings longer than 7 inches.
• Hand-me-down and homemade toys should be carefully evaluated. They may not have undergone testing for safety. Do not give your child painted toys made before 1978; they may have paint that contains dangerously high levels of lead.
• Stuffed animals and other toys that are sold or given away at carnivals, fairs, and in vending machines are not required to meet safety standards. Check carnival toys carefully for loose parts and sharp edges before giving them to your child. Never give your child vending machine toys, which contain small parts.

SAFETY NOTE: Never give balloons to a child younger than age 8. A child who is blowing up or chewing on a balloon can choke by inhaling it. Inflated balloons pose a risk because they can pop without warning and be inhaled.

Walkers
Walkers are devices that use a wheeled frame and suspended seat to allow babies to propel themselves using their feet. There are lots of reasons to avoid them. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages the use of walkers because of the risk of severe injuries from falling on stairs.

Why you should avoid walkers:
 

• Nearly 29,000 injuries are treated in emergency rooms every year as a result of walkers.
• Babies in walkers can fall over objects, can roll into hot stoves, pools, and heaters; most dangerously, they can roll down stairs where a baby is at risk of head injury at the bottom.
• Walkers may give a baby the momentum needed to break through a gate (sometimes with stairs on the other side), something that results in head injuries to thousands of babies each year.
• Research shows that there is no advantage in a child's development They do not teach an infant to walk or enable him to walk sooner than he would without one. Walkers may also deny an infant the necessary pulling-up, creeping, and crawling experiences.