Teething & Recalls, Recalls, Recalls...

Disclaimer:  This post may contain typos, sentences that make no sense, and a lack of flow.  Sorry.  It's late and I'm lacking sleep.

So we've been dealing with teething for the past several weeks.  Today was, by far, the worst yet.  Noah was running a fever this morning, so we gave him Tylenol. By his well-baby appointment this afternoon, it was back up to 100.6 degrees.  More Tylenol. This evening 100.9 degrees followed by extreme fussiness and discomfort.  So we gave him another dose of Tylenol before bed plus Oragel.  I'd so much rather be using the Hyland's teething tablets all of my friends raved about, but thanks to the recall I can't.  (For information about the recall you can check out their statement here: http://www.hylands.com/news/hylands-teething-recall.php)

Speaking of recalls, we have (and regularly use) the oh-so-dangerous Bumbo seat.   When I posted pictures of my son sitting in his on my facebook page I was bombarded with messages, comments, etc. from very well-meaning loved ones who were concerned because of the widely talked about recall.  I informed them that the recall was simply because they needed to put a huge warning label stating that if you put your child in the seat on an elevated surface they can fall out and get hurt.           Um               No kidding...  It only takes a tiny bit of common sense to know it's a bad idea to leave your child in it on top of the kitchen table.

Here are some other stupid recalls I've found:

- Summer Infant Video baby monitors.
   Why? Two babies were strangled by the electrical cord when the device was set on or near their crib.
   My thoughts? It's incredibly tragic, and my heart breaks for those children. But should we really have to warn people that electrical cords can strangle a baby?

- Circo Kids Camping Set.
   Why? Because the bottom of the tent failed a flammability test. 
   My thoughts?  Watch your child when they're in the tent to make sure they don't try to build a campfire inside it.  In case you didn't know, it's also a good idea to keep flammables out of reach.

- Beaba Express Steam Bottle Warmers
   Why? Because they can overheat liquids and foods, posing a burn hazard.
   My thoughts? This is the same as the warning on bottles stating not to microwave them.  Parents have heated bottles for years because babies tend to prefer warm formula/milk over cold.  Anyone with half a brain should know that you need to shake it to eliminate the hot spots.  Use your heads.

- Slings (various brands)
   Why? Suffocation
   My thoughts? If you cover a baby's face of course it can suffocate. It isn't difficult to supervise your child when they are against your body.

- Disney Princess plastic trikes
   Why? The plastic castle & princesses on the handle bar can hurt a child if they fall on it.
   My thoughts?  So can a rock in your yard. But unlike a rock that they may not see, the trike is big and bright pink. Need I say more?

- Bassinets by Burlington Basket
   Why?  It can collapse if you don't lock the legs into place.
   My thoughts?  This one is too stupid for me to even comment on.


Now, it's not that I don't agree with most recalls. If parts are falling off and becoming choking hazards, or otherwise injuring children, then yes... recall those products.  But when it seems everything is being recalled, it's hard to take any of them seriously.  Consumers can miss a recall for a truly unsafe product when it gets tossed into the same mix as these ridiculous ones. 

So many people lack common sense or would rather sue for a broken bone than accept personal responsibility.  Maybe we should be recalling them instead.