Online retailer slammed for promoting product that may increase cot death risk
An online shopping site has been censured for promoting sleeping practices with babies that go against guidelines on prevention of cot death.
The baby elephant pillow promoted by Favworld
The Advertising Standards Board examined complaints after ads for an elephant shaped pillow for babies were served on Facebook to Australian consumers.
The ad stated “Is your baby crying all night long? Make the little tears stop with our best seller elephant pillow which can be yours at 70% off + free shipping…but only for this week!! Hurry, Grab yours and give your baby a great sleep!”
However, a complainant to the ASB pointed out that such sleeping practices were a known risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Favworld did not respond to the complaint
The ASB said that when it investigated, Favworld did not respond to its inquiries. The ASB turned to the Australian anti-SIDS charity Red Nose for advice. Red Nose’s safe sleeping guidelines include advice for babies to sleep on their backs, in a cot and without pillows or soft toys.
Red Nose: Safe sleeping guidelines
Ruling that it breached advertising codes relating to health and safety, the ASB ruled: “The Board noted the wording of the advertisement, in particular the phrase ‘all night long’ and considered that this was suggesting the toy was safe to be placed in a cot with a baby at night.
“The Board considered that the image and the text together were highly suggestive of this being a safe toy to leave a baby alone with when sleeping.”
According to the website Scam Adviser, questions exist over the reliability of Favworld, with a number of comments from customers complaining about non-delivery of the baby elephant pillows.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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