Influencer parents are everywhere and have done many nursery trends on various social media platforms. The most common is the monthly milestone photos, wherein the baby is made to pose with a symbol of their age in a creative setting. These photos must appear aesthetically as they will be posted to either Instagram or Pinterest.
These nursery trend ideas that influencers post show the ideal motherhood or what typical nurseries should look like but are these also recommended by the experts? Are the trends proven to be safe and done the right way?
Elizabeth Keys, a registered nurse and assistant professor at the School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, told Today's Parent that the nursery trends all over social media are inaccurate because they are only idealized, which means they are not necessarily reality or safe. Yet, they put a lot of pressure on parents to have that perfect image when it's something that cannot be achieved in one snap. They just look great on social media but don't really happen in real life.
Risking the life of the infant for the photography
Numerous trends include babies sleeping on something. Sleep consultant and founder of Good Night Sleep Site, Alanna McGinn, argue that these photos put style before safety, which is not recommendable.
McGinn says that parents forget that the spaces they use are not safe for infants, even if it's just for photos for social media. These pictures depict false reality and influence others to do the same without considering any safety precautions or supervision.
One of the common trends is called the Moses basket, wherein the baby is placed inside the basket with a thin mattress or sometimes a fur carpet. Michelle Ponti, a member of the Canadian Pediatric Society's Public Education Advisory Committee, raised their concern that the mattress may be too soft and there is a big possibility that the infant might roll into the space between the mattress and the sides of the basket, which might suffocate the baby. The committee concluded that if the trend does not meet the safety standards, then they are not recommended.
Health Canada has recalled the hooded Moses basket due to injury risk. According to the federal agency, the basket appears unstable and could tip over, injuring the baby. Also, a ribbon on the hood of the basket was deemed a strangulation hazard.
Trendy ideas but not childproof
Many influencers have also posted photos that show a huge framed artwork over the crib or the changing table. Ponti clarified that although they may look appealing to the eyes, having something over your child's place is dangerous. Parents must consider the chances that the thing might not be secured properly, like a nail holding it in place could come loose, and the object might fall on the baby.
Also, if the child could already stand in the crib and reach for objects, they might pull these things down on top of themselves, leading to severe injury.
The parents must prioritize the safety of their baby first before any design or style. The Spruce suggested not to go overboard with a theme.
