Safer Child Products

How many of us have looked forward to transitioning our children to sippy cups?  Whether from the breast or the bottle, it is a big milestone when they learn to drink from a cup, and the independence it brings along with it! 

Well, it’s been all over the news this morning, childhood injuries associated with pacifiers, bottles and sippy cups.  Children are ending up in the emergency room because of injuries associated with bottles and sippycups!?  There is nothing inherently wrong with these products, it seems to be that unsteady toddlers are walking around (or maybe even running) the house with their bottle or sippy cup and when they fall, they are getting broken teeth and cuts on their face and mouth. 

According to a study published in Pediatrics 5/9/2012, Cuts were the most common injury seen, mostly on the head, neck and face, but Pacifiers were most commonly associated with soft tissue and dental injuries.

How can this be avoided?  There are several recommendations.  Fist of all, "The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children move from bottles to open cups at age 1 and discontinue using pacifiers by age 3". If the cup is open, then the child must learn to sit or stay in one spot while drinking.  If they are not walking around with the cup or bottle in their mouth, they the toddler will be less likely to suffer from cuts and bruises to the mouth and face when they inevitably fall.

To see the complete study, go to http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/05/09/peds.2011-3348.full.pdf+html