{"id":44471,"date":"2022-12-22T11:03:45","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T11:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ccpc.ie\/business\/?p=44471"},"modified":"2022-12-22T11:07:37","modified_gmt":"2022-12-22T11:07:37","slug":"risk-of-death-or-serious-harm-to-infants-ccpc-announces-immediate-ban-on-sale-of-baby-self-feeding-pillows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ccpc.inventise.ie\/business\/risk-of-death-or-serious-harm-to-infants-ccpc-announces-immediate-ban-on-sale-of-baby-self-feeding-pillows\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Risk of death or serious harm\u2019 to infants: CCPC announces immediate ban on sale of baby self-feeding pillows"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has banned the sale of baby self-feeding pillows due to a risk of death or serious harm.<\/p>\n

A self-feeding pillow is designed to hold a bottle, keep it in the baby\u2019s mouth and free up the parent\u2019s hands, allowing the baby to feed itself. The pillow is placed around the baby\u2019s neck, the bottle is held in position by a piece of elastic or a pouch and the baby is positioned on its back to feed itself without the assistance of a caregiver holding the bottle and controlling the feed.<\/p>\n

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In this situation, the baby will not be able to control the flow of milk and the milk will continue to flow even if the baby is not swallowing. This can lead to choking. Choking can be silent and a baby will not have the dexterity or cognitive behaviour to otherwise raise the alarm.<\/p>\n

Aspiration pneumonia occurs when milk goes into the lungs rather than the stomach. This could occur if the flow of milk is too fast and the baby is not able to keep up by swallowing the milk.<\/p>\n

Clara Thornton, CCPC Director of Product Safety, said<\/p>\n

\u201cBaby self-feeding pillows present a risk of death or serious harm from choking or aspiration pneumonia. They are dangerous and go against HSE advice on safe bottle-feeding. If any consumer comes across these products they should report them to the CCPC.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Dr Abigail Collins, HSE National Clinical Lead for the Child Health Public Health Programme, said<\/p>\n

\u201cIf feeding with a bottle, always hold your baby in your arms. Make the most of this time to bond with your baby. Look into your baby\u2019s eyes – this helps them to feel safe and loved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever leave your baby to drink a bottle on their own. Propping or leaning the bottle using a pillow, self-feeding pillow or any other support can be dangerous. Doing this could cause your baby to choke.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Businesses<\/strong> must immediately remove these products from the market as they do not comply with safety regulations and are dangerous products. Irish businesses are instructed not to import these products.<\/p>\n

Consumers<\/strong> should not buy self-feeding pillows. Those who already own a self-feeding pillow should<\/p>\n