Clarification: "Baby Sitter" Seat is Not Defective, Bumbo International Says

According to the Associated Press, the Bumbo International of South Africa had recalled approximately one million of their "Baby Sitter" seats after nearly 28 reports of babies falling out of the seats. The "Baby Sitter", is an infant chair that was designed to help the infant improve his/her posture as soon as the child is able to hold their own head up.

However, according to the Bumbo International website, they state the product is not in fact on recall, parents just need to read the warnings and guidelines. When consumers hear the word, "recall", their first instinct is to take the merchandise back for a refund. But with this particular product, the "Baby Sitter" is not defective, only the instructions and packaging are in need to be updated. Their website states that no refund has been offered, nor will be given.

Mark Buchanan, a representative of Bumbo International, states how the company has, "received word that the Bumbo Baby Seat should never be on elevated surfaces, and how the product can be used safely on the floor with a parent or guardian nearby."

Out of the 28 cases that have been reported, there had been an estimated three circumstances where the child has sustained skull fractures. Babies are at serious risk of head injuries especially when the seat is placed up on a table, counter top, chair, or any other raised surfaces, when the infant arches its back that could possibly cause the infant to flip out of their seats.

First introduced in 2003, the Bumbo Baby Seat has been enjoyed by over two million families around the world. When used on a flat ground-level surface with a parent or guardian nearby, the Bumbo Seat provides a safe, comfortable environment, enabling babies to sit up and interact with their surroundings in ways they never could before. Not long after the confusion, the Consumer Product Safety Commission temporarily removed the Bumbo Baby Seat from store shelves earlier this week to update the warnings, instructions and packaging. The seats that are in need of new instructions, warnings, and packaging were sold from August of 2003 to October of 2007. They were also sold at the following retailers, Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Sears, Babies R Us, USA Baby, as well as other online stores throughout these times. Though the product has been deemed to be safe and not defective, it is extremely important that parents keep the child and seat on the floor and to NEVER leave the infant unattended.

If you'd like to find more information regarding this product, you may call (877)932-8626 or visit online at http://www.bumbosafety.com

Sources:
Bumbo International
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Chelsea Carter, Associated Press
The Rocky Mountain News