All of us moms run in different parenting circles and use catch phrases like “food before one is just for fun”, “breast is best”, “fed is best”, and the likes.  We’re not going to agree on everything (or anything sometimes), but there are certain mainstream baby items that just irk me when I see them on message boards, Facebook posts, in friends homes, at Target…I digress.

These are three baby items that I wish would be retired and removed from the shelves.

Rock N’ Play “Sleeper”

I’m not linking to this item because if you want to buy it, you can go find it yourself.  First and foremost, this is not an approved sleeping device.  I am 100% for parents doing their own research, and after educating themselves, making their own decisions.  We take risks every day, crossing the street , going swimming, eating at a restaurant – so choosing a sleep environment for your baby is no different.  There are always risks.  According to the AAP, babies should not sleep in an elevated position because it can cause death by positional asphixiation, and unfortunately babies have died in these Rock N Plays.  Personally, they irk me because the same moms who scream from the rooftops that bed sharing is inherently dangerous and not approved by the AAP have one of these at their bedsides.  They can also cause some wicked flathead, and can make transitioning the baby to a flat surface very difficult.  Cue moms commenting about how their babies have reflux and their pediatricians approved this as a sleeping device.  I don’t need to know about your life.  Carry on.

Sippy Cups

These are great if you don’t want your kid to spill water or juice (stop giving that baby juice, it will rot her teeth and it’s loaded with sugar), but otherwise they serve no other purpose developmentally.  They were created by parents, for parents, and according to the American Speech Language Hearing Association can even affect baby’s speech and facial development later on.  We like weighted straw cups or just regular old cups instead to help baby develop real drinking skills, and to avoid speech and facial dev issues.  

Infant Seats

For some moms, like my two friends named Amanda, infant seats like the Bumbo and Fisher Price Sit Me Up were great tools to help baby learn to sit, and to give them a little time to pour a cup of coffee.  Lawless’ chunky baby legs were too fat for the Bumbo by the time he was at the age to give it a try, and then I read up on the drawbacks of infant seats.  Deemed “baby holding devices” these suckers can teach babies incorrect postural alignment and don’t offer any developmental benefits.  Tummy time (ugh tummy time) and floor activities are much more appropriate for developing proper strength and motor skills.  Unless your name is Amanda, and your baby has innate, brute strength from jump, take the baby out of Bumbo jail, and listen to him wail on the floor.  I know mama, I know.

While these items make life for caretakers just a little bit easier, they’re not good for baby.  If it seems like a product or device is a little too convenient, start doing a your research to make sure you aren’t causing more problems down the road.  On the plus side, you’ll save yourself some money that you can later spend on Amazon while breastfeeding in the wee hours of the morning.