Australia’s consumer watchdog slaps ban on potentially deadly baby bottle self-feeding devices

Baby bottle self-feeding devices that allow infants to self-feed without another person holding a bottle have been permanently banned by the consumer watchdog.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commissioner (ACCC) warned the devices could cause babies to choke, breathe in liquid or suffocate, resulting in death or injury.

The ban means it is now illegal to manufacture, possess or supply these devices in Australia.

Businesses that manufacture, advertise or sell the devices face significant penalties.

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said baby bottle self-feeding devices pose an unacceptable risk of injury or death to infants who do not have the ability to regulate the flow of milk or remove the bottle from their mouth themselves.

“This permanent ban makes clear that products which undermine safe infant feeding practices will not be tolerated in the Australian market,” she said.

“Suppliers should be aware that it is now illegal to supply these products in Australia, and penalties may apply for businesses that do not comply.”

“We urge consumers to stop using these devices immediately and to always actively supervise babies during feeding.”

The ban applies to any product designed to enable babies to feed from a bottle without another person holding the bottle.

It includes products that positions bottles in a baby’s mouth, are worn by a person and holds a bottle used for feeding a baby and products that connect a teat to a flexible straw.

That ban does not apply to nursing systems used to support breastfeeding, sippy or trainer cups and straw cups.