Lately, it feels like a new “must-have” baby safety product for parents comes out every few months. From baby heart monitors to app-connected thermometers and baby cameras, it’s really tricky to know what it is that you actually need, and what you don’t.
You may have heard that recently, certain baby safety products — such as the Owlet Smart Sock baby monitor — have been flagged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for not getting proper approval for what is essentially a type of medical device. There are also ongoing class action lawsuits regarding burns babies have received while wearing the sock, and allegations of frequent false alarms, which can cause so much anxiety to new parents. (And let's be honest: We have enough anxiety already as parents. We don't need to pay hundreds of dollars for extra anxiety. )
So, how do you know which baby safety products youshould actually have? I asked board-certified pediatrician Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett to break it down for us in the simplest terms, and she says that products like theOwlet or other “apnea monitors” are not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). If your baby did need an apnea monitor due to a breathing problem, one would have been prescribed by your child's pediatrician.
According to Poinsett, “The main baby safety products [that you need] are items that make the home environment safer once a baby has started to crawl, cruise, and walk. Parents should look for hazards by getting down on all fours and seeing what is in reach of the baby.” And yes, we know babyproofing is a huge pain, but it’s one of those things that’s an actual must do.
We took Dr. Poinsett's advice, and found the very best baby safety products on the market right now. You know — ones you actually need.
You won't have a door or a plug unprotected with this absolute beast of a kit. It has everything from outlet covers to corner bumpers to cabinet locks, and they're all so easy to install. It's a great starter kit, especially thanks to its affordable price.
Let's be honest: If hitting the corner of the coffee table with your shin makes you drop more F-bombs than the former mayor of Chicago, then how bad must it feel to hit a kidney or a head? Yeah, protect your baby from expanding their language too young by making those corners bouncy with these super-sticky, super-durable corner bumpers.
3Up & Away | Magnetic Window Blind Cord Safety (2-Pack)
Do you have blinds and a baby in your home? If you do, then you need 100% need to get your hands on some cord wind-ups. And there's no sugarcoating it: There have been cases of strangulation and death when parents have turned around for just minutes, and a young'un has gotten tangled. Don't let this heartbreaking situation happen in your home.
Keep little fingers safe from getting caught in closing doors. These finger pinch guards are good to have in high-traffic areas, like the nursery or playroom — especially if your little baby has older siblings who love to run around the house.
This set is adorably kitschy, and comes with a set of door stoppers as well.
This chic retractable gate is wonderful for keeping your baby in one place — and thankfully, it's not a total eyesore! Plus, if you're walking from room to room with your little one in your arms, just simply unlock it: It will retract all on its own.
It's wide at up to 55 inches, and you can see right through it (which has been a problem with some gates).
Keep your baby's bath the right temperature while also entertaining your little one with this floating rubber ducky bath thermometer. It's waterproof, battery-operated, and totally cute.
You deserve more than a basic smoke alarm — especially if you just brought a brand new baby home from the hospital.
Check out this smart smoke alarm: It will send alerts to your phone if it detects smoke or carbon monoxide. Don't worry about waking your little one up if you burn the popcorn, either — this alarm has a soft voice that will alert you of even minor smoke, so you can just disable it with your app as you open up the windows. Let that baby snooze!
Unfortunately, every year, 15,000 babies are injured from window falls — and 15 to 20 die. That's a terrifying statistic, but it's preventable with window guards like this one.
In some areas, like New York City, it is the law to have a window guard for every window on the second floor or above where a child lives. This one also happens to look nice: It's made of sturdy steel that will keep your toddler inside, but the plastic coating keeps it from rusting or getting a ton of wear and tear from the elements.
These play mats are available in fun prints, and they're reversible! Feel free to flip it to the fashion-forward side when you want your nursery to look styled, and the basic side when you're feeling lazy.
The coolest feature? The mat provides extra cushioning to reduce impact from potential falls, tumbles, or slip-ups. Place one near the crib for the ultimate safety hack. Plus, this play mat is chic, stylish, and extremely easy to wash.
Don't leave your baby alone with loose blankets in the crib: Swaddling is a safer option, but not when your baby is strong enough to roll over. Go with one of these soft muslin cloths instead, so your baby can have free arms and a cozy blanket that won't go over her head.
Wearable blankets like these are a genius option that have been increasing steadily in popularity over the past 10 years. And for good reason — they're easy to wash and keep your baby safe and warm. Plus, we're not going to lie: They make climbing out of the crib that much harder.
Dr. Poinsett says that toilet locks are a must-have: Babies can drown in just a tiny amount of water. Help prevent baby from the water in the toilet (and protect your phone from taking a swim), by locking your toilet with this easy-to-use toilet lock.
Furniture tipping is a real, terrible danger. At this point, all major furniture retailers warn you about this when you purchase something like a bookcase or dresser, and it is critical that you anchor your furniture to the studs to keep baby safe. These straps are easy to use, and totally adjustable.
Tipping televisions are just as dangerous as tipping furniture. While mounting is safest, this set of straps is the next best thing. Just make sure that the television is close enough to the wall so that if it tips backwards, it hits the wall and doesn't crash flat.
These straps attach to both the television and the media console it rests on, so that even if it's pulled forward, the straps prevent it from tipping over and causing a potentially very dangerous accident.
Check up on your baby's health in one second with this super effective tool. The smart thermometer will not only give you a speedy reading, but the app will also advise you on how to treat your sick infant. You can send the information directly to your provider as well.
Cat BowenParenting EditorCat Bowen is the parenting editor at BestProducts.com where she researches all of the best products for families from pre-conception through their teen years, focusing on matching scientific evidence with real-life needs.
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