A popular baby product known as a baby self-feeding pillow, or prop feeder, has been recalled by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) in the UK due to a serious risk of harm to infants. While the recall announcement was first made on November 30, 2022, it was updated recently to include an OPSS risk summary, emphasizing the classification of the risk as 'serious'. The product has been criticized for allowing infants to feed themselves without caregiver supervision, which is contrary to the safety guidelines provided by the NHS regarding bottle feeding.

The OPSS has raised alarms over the dangers associated with these self-feeding pillows, explaining that they can lead to choking or aspiration pneumonia. The agency points out that infants lack the necessary dexterity and cognitive abilities to safely manage self-feeding, making them unable to respond appropriately to choking incidents. Gagging, while noisy, is contrasted with choking, which can often happen silently, adding to the risks involved in using such products.

This situation highlights serious concerns regarding infant safety and regulatory oversight in the baby product industry. Parents and caregivers are urged to be cautious and vigilant with baby feeding products, adhering closely to established safety recommendations. The recall serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with unsupervised feeding practices and the importance of ensuring that caregivers are always present during feeding to monitor infants' safety.