The lamest recall in the history of the world …

When we think of recalls, we tend to think of real dangerous products.  

Things with poor designs, lead paint, or such. I’ve been meaning to mention this particular recall for some time, but haven’t gotten around to it until now … the “recall” on the Bumbo Baby Seat.

The recall itself seems pretty lame, really … you can request a warning label to stick on the seat itself. My question is: If you’re smart enough to send for the label and read it, why aren’t you smart enough to figure out how to use a Bumbo safely?

I realize that the pictures show babies sitting on tables, counters, etc.. But any parent with a Bumbo should realize right away that putting a baby in a precarious position is … what’s the word? … stupid.  I have a brother-in-law who did put his son in a Bumbo as a table centerpiece for a while. Note that this is not on the edge of the table, and the child was surrounded by adults capable of responding in case anything did go wrong.

My own little Eagle spends some time in her own Bumbo (which is actually the one my brother-in-law had used):

I certainly sympathize with the parents whose children were injured … but I have to look at this and think that they’re looking to blame someone else for their incompetence. Like anything else, it can be okay as long as the baby is being watched appropriately and you’re close enough to respond.

The Bumbo itself is not unsafe. What’s unsafe is parents who don’t think.

I agree with Consumer Reports that this recall is sort of a joke … but for a different reason. Maybe, ultimately, what we need to do is attach warning labels to babies, reading, “Watch at all times.”