There are many children and infant products that are marketed as play, sleep, rest or transport.
Unsafe Sleep Products
Some infant products marketed as sleep products are in fact not suitable for sleep and may be dangerous.
Sleeping on unsafe sleep surfaces and products increases the risk of sudden infant deaths due to infants:
- rolling into a position that blocks the airways
- dropping their head onto their chest, which restricts their breathing.
When babies are left unsupervised and fall asleep in these products, they risk serious injury or sudden death.
Unsafe sleep products include but not limited to:
Infant inclined products
Infant inclined products position babies at an inclined angle. These products can be designed for a mix of purposes including sleeping, playing, resting, or soothing a baby.
Some products that fall within this category include:
- rockers
- bouncers
- swings
- co-sleepers
- recliners
- bassinet-type products.
Other products, such as car seats, capsules or infant seats, may also be on an incline.
Infant Sleep Related Products
Infant sleep related products are marketed for sleep related purposes for babies. Some examples of these products include:
- anti-roll pillows
- sleep positioners
- blankets
- soft toys
- plush toy heat packs
Product Risks
Inclined products
Infant inclined products can cause positional asphyxiation.
If a baby’s head falls forward while in an inclined product, their chin can be pressed to their chest. This can cause their airways to become blocked and reduce oxygen flow.
A baby’s airflow can also become restricted if their face has partial or complete contact with the side of the product. This can reduce oxygen and lead to carbon dioxide rebreathing.
Products with a curved backrest
A baby's face can become covered if they roll over in products with a curved back. This can cause suffocation.
Curvature in the back (seat portion) of a product increases the risk of suffocation when babies roll because their faces may be covered by the product and promotes the chin to chest position.
Use of infant incline or sleep products that have a curved back is not recommended.
Unsafe Transport Products
Aftermarket car seat head straps
Some children products marketed as transport accessories for the children's car seat such as children's car seat head straps are dangerous and increase the risk of spinal injuries and potential death as well as risk of strangulation and suffocation.
MyDeal's Listing Requirements
MyDeal prohibits listings the following products (not an exhaustive list):
- Baby Lounger
- Baby Nets
- Cot Bumpers
- Baby Hammocks for children under 2 years
- Plush pillows, soft toy pillows or similar sleep aids for children under 2 years
- Inclined Sleepers
- Car seat head straps
- Car seat head supports
- Plush toy heat packs
- Inclined products with infant sleep marketing images or text
- Inclined products with incline degree of more than 7 degrees
Sellers should not list infant and children products prohibited by MyDeal and ensure that other products are tested against a suitable safety standard where a mandatory standard does not exist.
In addition sellers should review their product listings address potential risks associated with supplying the products by:
- changing the marketing text including title of the product to remove any reference to sleep; and
- removing all images of a baby sleeping with the product
Sellers are responsible for ensuring that your products are safe and comply with our product safety policies. Sellers who do not comply with MyDeal policies may be suspended or removed from MyDeal’s platform.