What you should know about infant sleeping bags: Baby bags and cribs are becoming more popular in stores and on the internet as baby-friendly stores like Walmart, Target and Amazon are expanding.
But are they safe?
That depends on the baby.
“Babies are still the most vulnerable in terms of injuries, particularly if they fall in a crib or when they fall through a door or window,” said Dr. Deborah Brown, an associate professor at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
Babies can fall into a crib, or even get stuck in a hole in a ceiling, Brown said.
“I do not know that they are any safer than a crib in terms that you could get injured,” she said.
Brown said it is important to keep a close eye on the infant while packing the baby bag, especially if it is a toddler.
“Keep in mind that the child is not going to be in an immediate danger of injury,” she added.
“You can’t get the child into the crib and you can’t pull them out of the crib, you have to do it carefully,” Brown said, adding that it is best to keep the infant in the crib until the baby is ready to leave the crib.
Baby bags have been known to get caught in doors, furniture and clothing.
And the problem is that they can be a distraction to others, Brown added.
However, she said, there is a growing awareness that they also can be safe.
“We are seeing that some stores now have an online store that is offering baby and baby gear, and we are seeing some positive reviews on Amazon,” Brown explained.
“That is good, that is good news.
That is a good sign,” she explained.
Brown also noted that there are safety tips for storing the baby, including using a large-capacity bag or a small-capacity one that fits in the baby’s mouth, nose and hands.
Baby-friendly retailers like Walmart and Target are offering baby-safe baby items.
Baby carriers have also been a major trend, with Walmart announcing a baby carrier for children 5 months and older, while Target is offering a newborn baby carrier.
The safety of baby bags and baby carriers varies from store to store, depending on the age of the child and the type of carrier.
For example, some babies may not be able to use a baby bag if the carrier is too small, according to Brown.
Some people also may want to store the bag in a separate storage container so that the baby can’t see it.
“If the baby carrier is not a child-safe carrier, you need that storage space,” Brown added, adding, “You need that for that child to be able not to get into it.”
Babies who are younger than 5 months need a baby car seat, which is a small, child-friendly car seat that fits into the back of the car seat and provides the child with some safety.
Baby car seats can also be used for infants who have not yet had the opportunity to learn how to walk or crawl, Brown explained, adding they also are great for babies who have difficulty with crawling.
