Hot Baby Products: Baby Safety Helmets?
Tuesday April 15, 2008
I have to thank Buck Wolf, About.com Weird News Guide, for the heads up on Thudguards, baby-sized protective helmets that are now available in the U.S. Though these stretchy baby helmets look funny, their reason for existence is quite serious. ERs see plenty of youngsters with head injuries each year. In fact, Buck mentions that Thudguard received endorsement from the British Association of Accident and Emergency Medicine!
Do you think baby safety helmets will take off in the U.S. market? Or is this product going a little too far towards overprotective parenting? Add your thoughts by using the comments link below.
Do you think baby safety helmets will take off in the U.S. market? Or is this product going a little too far towards overprotective parenting? Add your thoughts by using the comments link below.
Comments
Oh, heavens, I hope not! Good grief, babies have been falling since they first learned to stand. Move out all the dangerous furniture, put a gate up at the steps, and don’t leave them unattended when they’re wobbly or in the climbing stage. Do they make helmets for three yr olds who try to fall off their bed, or eight year olds who fall while bouncing? How about for ten year olds who fall out of trees? The sad truth is, you can’t protect your children as much as you’d like!
Babies at age one cant help but fall over but a child of 3 should hopefully have learned to balance by then! To have a preventative measure rather than end up at ER is sensible and it is very unreasonalble for people to say that all ages will end up having this helmet. Do you remember riding a bike for the first time? Well what do you think a baby has to go thru for a few months?
I hope this not only catches on, I hope more parents in the US begin to take head injuries more seriously. It’s ridiculous to compare what a crawler or new walker is going through to that of older children. My 7 month old has no way to comprehend the ramifications of his actions. He is exploring and doesn’t understand what will hurt him. I’m watching him bump and bruise himself all over the house while simply trying to be more mobile. And you know what . . . it hurts him and the pain is real. He can’t protect himself so it’s up to us as his parents to do it for him.
The whole “babies have been doing this” forever attitude is ignorant. There are a lot of stupid things we used to just let our children muddle through until we got smart over the years. It was only a few decades ago that we started giving infants anesthesia for surgeries and only recently did the FDA start recommending pain medications for circumcisions. Why do we think our children need to go through this kind of pain to enter the world with the rest of us? (And don’t even get me started about what we still do to animals.)
We just ordered a thudguard. Not because we heard about it but because we got on-line to seek out a product to protect our baby’s head after many falls and bumps since he started sitting up and crawling. It’s the answer to our prayers and I can’t wait to get it. I’ll tell all my friends about it as well. The Brits are right on with this one.
Offering a flight vest to secure a child on a lap during flight to protect against turbulence.
Baby No Bumps – Infant safety helmet protecting the head against falls and accidents while learning to walk and stand.
————
albertjames
SuperBabyGuide
I don’t see why a parent wouldn’t seek out a reputable child helmet to avoid potential serious injury during the early stages of walking. If a toddler lived in a tiled home, the injuries resulting from impact would be no less than an adult falling backwards to hit their head on the ice. Lasting serious injury may result, but would you want to take that chance with your own skull? Could a parent be considered negligent for not providing this form of protection in a home with great potential for serious injury (hardwood or tile floors/sharp corners/etc.)? Isn’t a parent responsible for their child’s safety in a car, on a bike, or playing various sports? I’m glad to learn I don’t have to resort to making one for my own child. I plan to get one for my little girl. (Harsh comments directed at parents for considering this product are likely from parents that feel guilt for not doing all they could have for their own children; it would be a hard thing to admit to oneself.)
I don’t see why a parent wouldn’t seek out a reputable child helmet to avoid potential serious injury during the early stages of walking. If a toddler lived in a tiled home, the injuries resulting from impact would be no less than an adult falling backwards to hit their head on the ice. Lasting serious injury may result, but would you want to take that chance with your own skull? Could a parent be considered negligent for not providing this form of protection in a home with great potential for serious injury (hardwood or tile floors/sharp corners/etc.)? Isn’t a parent responsible for their child’s safety in a car, on a bike, or playing various sports? I’m glad to learn I don’t have to resort to making one for my own child. I plan to get one for my little girl. (Harsh comments directed at parents for considering this product are likely from parents that feel guilt for not doing all they could have for their own children; it would be a hard thing to admit to oneself.)
I am sooo happy they make these – my son who is 2 has cerebral palsy and is wobbly on his feet. I have been looking for a helmet to keep him safe but one that looks nice (as nice as a helmet can look). I am happy they make this product – I am glad he won’t hit his head as much and be protected.
Thanks
Well I have a 1 year old son and he’s very active. He always has bumps on his forehead no matter how much we look after him. I just called my wife from work and ask how’s our little boy doing and joked if he has new bumps again. Sure enough he has gotten a new one. So now i’m in the market for helmet, headgear, head protector. I’ve seen in the web already the thudguard and the softtop safety headgear.
I just wanted to say thank you for all those intelligent comments. I am the US distributor of Thudguard. We are here to offer parents an optional protective head gear.
Baby’s First Head Gear was founded on the principle of protecting babies’ heads. At this stage of life toddlers’ brains and skulls are growing and determining any damage from hard falls becomes a key decision point for parents. We are dedicated to help lessen the chance of head injury and we encourage movement and play inside, outside and on any kind of surfaces.
Visit my web site for more info: http://www.babysfirstheadgear.com
Well done Charlotte – happy to see that one of us(usa), got their first!
Mum of 5
TX
I think these baby safety helmets are a wonderful invention.
Whilst Thudguard seems more ideal for the older child I think Babynobumps has been designed for the younger child.
Both are a necessity in the care and safety of our young babies and children – we do not yet fully understand the long term damage a serious head injury could cause to a young child.
I think it is a great idea but we have one of the best in the U.S. called Baby No Bumps. Why would we support a product outside the U.S. My whole family has one for their little ones.
This one looks to hot for their little heads and they say they have to keep removing it. Over engineered.
This is real a revolutionary products for baby,I am the BNB suppliers in China,I also want this can open the market in the world, the most important is,all the baby in the world can be safe when they are learning to wlak.
Hope coming soon!
I am so excited about ordering this for my one year old. I am just sorry I didn’t think to get one sooner or for my oldest child. I have had enough! He gets a bad bruise on his head every other day and it makes me sink to think of the horrible possibilities a head injury can incur. I watch my 1 yr. old walk all wobbly biting my nails praying he will not fall again … but it is surely inevitable! So I am doing it and am so thankful for this invention!
I just saw an add for these in a Parent/Child Magazine.
Never, not in a million years will I subject my kid to this “safety” device. What’s next a big plastic bag we swaddle the kid up in, packed out with packing bubble sheets so they can’t touch anything that might harm them in the slightest way. Oh wait, I forget EVERY plastic bag in America now has “keep away from infants and small children” printed on it.. I guess it could be some breakthrough breathable type foam.
Folks, humans learn from making mistakes. I see this as more a device to desensitize a child in the future from the “gee, perhaps I should not do that again, that hurts” that drives us all in our core of our being. We ALL have “that story” that we never forget happened to us sometime when we were little. It helped you make safer decisions down the road in life.
I have a son, who just tuned one, and yes, he falls some times. Guess what, he looks to see if I have a reaction, and if not, he gets up again. We added gates, made things a bit more safer, but a 100% helmet on his head at all times when he’s out playing. Please.
I can see safety gear for bikes, skates, go-carts, race cars, baby seats – I use/plan to use them all etc… learning to walk.. NO!
Whats next some little knee and elbow pads so when he falls he wont get a bump?
Its no wonder America is in the state its gotten itself into.
Yes, head injuries are very serious. Falling down onto the coffee table when your one, is scary – but not brain injuring in the least.
I suggest you all take a look at http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/ for some real ideas on raising a “Safer” kid in today’s world.
Get some foam mats if your kid has bad head control after a few whacks backwards – and they get scared – they start to “Get it” real quick.
Give your kids more credit, they deserve it.
We have bought a wonderful safety helmet right here in the U.S. Baby No Bumps. It is being used in hospitals, daycares and homes of course.
We tried Thudguard and our son wouldn’t keep it on as it was too hot. Let’s patronize our own manufacture right here in the U.S. It is a fantastic product.
I ran a web search for “infant crash helmet” when our 7 month old twins became mobile enough to smack their noggins, a sure sign that worse was yet to come. In contrast, my wife wanted to put gates and padding everywhere in the house making it look like a scene from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” After sifting through the results of my search I found Thudguard and showed it to my wife. Her reply was, “Helmets are only for children with special needs – I don’t want people thinking that about our children…” Well, a few days later both girls bumped their heads pretty good. My wife had a change of heart, and told me to place the order immediately. We’ll still have a few gates, but I’m hoping for a happy medium. Can’t wait to receive them.
I prefer the Thudguard to other products that are available as it looks like it will give more overall protection and is a design very like the cycle helmet so won’t look so dorky. By the way, I think they’re cute!
MD and Dad
LA
I am so happy I’ve just found these helmets for babies. I didn’t know such a thing would exist, and I am so grateful that someone thought about inventing them, otherwise I would of. My son is 12 months, and even though he just started walking he has been mobile for a good while now and has had many bumps and scrapes, at home and at the daycare. No matter how much you are watching over them you cannot avoid them falling backwards or forward, and it’s very scary you can’t predict how hard that fall will be even if you have foam mats at home. We’re definitely getting a thudguard helmet in the US! It’s better to prevent than to regret later on.
I understand the “Nah” sayers because I use to be one. My first son had his share of falls, bumps and bruises but he was just being a kid. Nothing serious. Then came my second son! His head is like a magnet to anything hard or with a bruising edge. I am not saying all kids should wear something like the Thudguard. What I am saying is that, all children are different. A bump here or there is one thing, but goose eggs and bruises all the time no matter how close I watch is too much. I am not going to get rid of my table and chairs. And I’m not going wrap my home in foam. I am getting the Thudguard from when my son needs it! All kids need to learn but no child deserves to hurt if they don’t have to!
We bought a thudguard and it was so hot, he would not keep it on and he couldn’t hear with it on which is very dangerous so we ended up buying Baby no Bumps and it is 100% cotton, and is cool and light/he loves it.
When our son was 7 months old he decided to stand up although he never learned to sit or crawl. Many weeks later, many bruises later and even trips to the doctor we found the baby no bumps on an Irish site buttercupskids.ie and we are so thankful for it! I’ve told all my friends as I’m convinced it saved us trips to the A&E at the hospital!
I tried the babynobumps but my son still got the corner of his head bruised through the large gaps that this helmet has, when he fell against the table. How can this be called a protective hat? I think I will just pad all the house thank you very much!
Very angry mum
TX
I don’t care what baby safety hat I buy for my son when he starts walking – I just think the idea is brilliant! Well done to any mom who comes up with an idea to protect their child. It must take hard work and dedication. It is so easy to knock other people’s hard work but these baby safety hats are saving pain and anguish so why don’t people stop criticising creativity and get a life where they can contribute to humanity. And stop the product quality assault – both helmets are fantastic because they help children for goodness sake so these companies should work together!
Well said Miss Celebrity mom. You are talking with wisdom. Can you tell us who you are please?
I agree. Both ideas seem to be good, however I do have 1 observation: I purchased the Thudguard unit and was very pleased at first. I then noticed that our little one was constantly trying to take it off because his little head was heating up so much. In fact when we took it off, my Barbara noticed that his head was sweaty. I became concerned about the overheating of his head so I no longer use it. Protection seems to be OK but better ventilation is certainly a must.
Another small observation is that he didn’t seem to be able to hear us speak to him as he was wearing it. This may be a safety issue as they start walking on their own and you are trying to get their attention.
James, MD
Indiana
The comments are interesting to me, and honestly, quite irritating. This oh-come-on attitude that bashing babies heads is somehow an integral part of their growing up seems driven from ridicule and closed mindedness. I am an insane person. I have had 5 orthopedic surgeries from a lifetime of ski racing and motorcycle crashes. When I leave the house on an adventure my wife seriously can check on my location via gps, so she can find the body she says. Anyone that suggests this country is in a sad state because of over protective people like me should come over for a visit. Luckily my brain has remained intact and I realize the danger in our new baby bouncing her skull off our tile floor. So, what is it she learns from a traumatic head injury at the age of 6 months? Some sort of important life lesson? You’re an idiot. Save your sanctimonious crap for whatever other thoughtless preconceptions you have. Ok feel better now. Gonna order one.
I’m wondering if any of you who have used the Thudguard can comment on it’s effectiveness for older babies. My youngest (of 3) is 14 months old and gets himself into a lot of trouble. He knocked out his bottom two teeth last week and ripped out a portion of his gum from diving off the back deck steps. He knows how to properly go down the steps, he just decided to dive. He has figured out how to push furniture to higher places, pull down the baby gates (we’re working on new ones) and is constantly on the prowl for other dangerous opportunities! Our house is as baby proofed as it can be and with the other children I was much more relaxed, letting them figure things out. However, with the youngest, he is so adventurous that I wonder if I’m being irresponsible for not protecting him more. Especially since he has already had a significant injury. Is the Thudguard helpful for older babies?
I’m thinking of ordering a thudguard because it seems to be the only helmet available in an infant size. My daughter had a stroke at the age of 1, and has a mild to moderate bleeding disorder. At the recommendation of the pediatric stroke team, she will need to wear a helmet when she begins to stand through becoming a steady walker as a second head injury could cause her to have another stroke.
We are free range parents, but for medical reasons, our child will be helmeted. Future kids wouldn’t be as they will (hopefully) not have the same kind of medical necessity
Well after my child experienced a skull fracture as a result of the fall I thought better of the “overprotective” line of thought! He now definitely wears a helmet..”thudguard” to be specific on hard surfaces such as tile etc. Do I really care if someone else thinks I’m overprotective if it prevents a potential skull fracture? I think not :O)!
No, I don’t think it’s necessary to pad kids up so well that they can’t see daylight. It’s ok to eat a little dirt and get some scapes and bruises, but head injuries, come on. How many head injuries will it takes before a 7 month old learns that when they fall it hurts? Come on, they’re not falling on purpose! I don’t intend for my son to wear this all of the time, but I think at playtime when you can’t be right there holding his hand the whole time it’s not a bad idea. I haven’t purchased a helmet yet, but I have concerns about buying one that sounds like it might be too hot or one that has a gap in it where the child can still hit his head. Trips to the doctor are not cheap these days and if a helmet gives me a little more peace of mind I’m not going to feel guilty about getting one.
I think this product is a little corny. What did we do in the olden days when babies learned to walk? Generations of humans learned to walk without these helmets, and Suprise! We survived into adulthood! I guess that’s what our skulls are for. Face it, children are going to get bumps and bruises, and if you monitor your children during the time that they are learning to walk, they’ll be fine. I think this thing is another expensive product that we don’t need on the market.