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Otteroo is a toy that turns into a life jacket once inflated. The idea came from the founder’s love for water and children, and her desire to give them both safety in the water. Otteroo can be used in pools or in the bathtub (if it’s deep and wide enough), and it has been made with children in mind: The design is based on their needs and abilities (it was tested by kids!). It also helps that they’re super cute! It will make the baby’s bath time easier.
Otteroo allows full-body submersion of your baby which will give a womb-y weightless feeling. The neck flotation device is made with kids’ safety in mind, as it comes with a security strap that goes around the child’s torso. It also inflates easily, allowing parents to safely use it at pools. It is not safe for newborns and should be used with kids when they are at least 8 weeks old.
The company that sells them (Otteroo) has a few tips for parents to help make sure their kids are safe while they use the flotation device:
Children should be supervised while using it.
• Make sure the child is old enough for this product before buying it.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling Otteroo and make sure to clean the device after every use.
• Never leave a child unattended while they’re wearing it.
• Before inflating this product, ensure that your child is at least eight months of age and able to hold up their head on their own when being placed in the water.
Otteroo Pros and Cons
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Most babies love it.
Builds neck, upper body, arm, and leg muscles with less stress on baby’s joints.
Very comfortable to put on.
Looks really good.
Does not contain phthalates or BPA and is very sturdy.
Can be deflated and stored just about anywhere.[/i2pros][i2cons]Not for newborns
Need a large enough tub for your child to float, if you don’t have access to a pool.[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Otteroo FAQ’S
Is Otteroo Baby Safe?
The Otteroo Neck Flotation Device for kids is safety-focused. Firstly, the design was based on how children are more likely to use it- with their heads down and not outstretched. With this in mind, the device comes with a security strap that goes around the child’s torso. This helps keep them secure when they are in the water with waves or splashing. It also inflates easily, so parents can start using them at pools safely.
However, it was recalled with 54 reports of injuries due to the broken seem, and also the strap was broken on several occasions. There have been a few improvements to the product as per their MD. One of the improvements was the thickened plastic and since then there have been no reports of injuries.
According to Forbes, it is not a potential death hazard and also helps in infants’ motor development skills but experts suggest that no air-filled products are safe and parents have to be always at an arm’s reach when using this product.
Is Otteroo Safe To use In Bath?
Yes, it is safe to use in the bath but the thing to remember is to not use the product in open water. Always use this product in baths or in the pools and as mentioned earlier parents need to be at an arm’s length always when using this product.
What Age Range Is It For?
It is designed to be used with kids at least 8 months old, it is not safe to be used with newborns or kids younger than 8 weeks old.
What Does Otteroo Help With?
Otteroo is a toy that helps with your baby’s motor skills development and it also increases their confidence in the water. It was made to help improve kids’ body awareness. It helps build neck, upper body, arms, and leg muscles with less stress on babies’ joints. Otteroo also helps with their cognitive development in the water. Otteroo helps babies make it easier to go from moving without wanting to move on their own.
Is Otteroo Back-Friendly?
Otteroo is not back-friendly because kids do not use this device while floating on their backs.
What Is Otteroo Made Of?
Otteroo is made of thick plastic that does not contain phthalates or BPA and is very sturdy. It has been tested by kids since the design was based on them and their needs. The toy is free of harmful chemicals and the soft material inside helps keep it afloat.
Are There Any Other Products Similar To Otteroo?
Yes, there are but they all come with some sort of issue such as not being safe for newborns or babies who can’t hold up their own heads. A few other products on the market include:
a) Aqua turtle
b) Baby Floaties
Does Otteroo Hurt Baby’s Neck?
No, it’s designed in a way that it does not hurt the baby’s neck. When properly used in water it is highly unlikely that it will hurt a baby’s neck, however, every baby is different, so if you have any concerns please do talk to your baby’s pediatrician.
Can You Use Otteroo In Open Water?
No, it’s better to use this product only in the bath or in a pool. The reason for this is that the device has a strap around the child’s torso to keep them safe and secure when in water, so you do not have to worry about your baby drowning or their head slipping through into an open space.
Is Neck Float Good For Baby?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), neck floats and other air-filled swimming aids might deflate. They are not designed to prevent drowning, so if your baby falls through the neck ring or it is too tight, they may have difficulty breathing.
How Often Can You Use Otteroo?
There is no limit on how often you can use Otteroo, it all depends on you and your baby. The average length of time that a baby will spend in the otteroo is 15 minutes, but there is no limit. If you have any questions, please contact your pediatrician. While your infant is in the otteroo, you should stay within arm’s reach at all times.
Can You Use Otteroo In Pool?
Yes, you can use this product in a pool but just as mentioned earlier, do not leave your baby unattended. You must always remember that Otteroo was designed to be used only in the bath or in pools. Your baby may start to have fun with it and try to roll over from their back to their stomach, so it’s best to keep a close eye on them.
Can You Use Otteroo In The Ocean?
No, it’s not safe to be used in the ocean because the waves might knock your baby over and they would be at higher risk of drowning or getting hurt from hitting their heads off of rocks. It is best to avoid using this product in the ocean, please be safe and use it only in a pool or in your bathtub.
How To Put On Otteroo?
- To see if the Otteroo is fully inflated, you can do this: buckle it up, then squeeze your hand on the inside where the two sides meet. If it is not inflated, you will be able to feel that there is nothing there.
- Your baby’s body should be mostly floating in the water with their feet barely touching the bottom. This way, they will not splash water out of the tub when they kick.
- Buckle the baby in. The space between the baby’s neck and the neck floatie should be snug. You should be able to fit one finger without force near their ear if you put it from the top down.
Here is a video from Otteroo that shows how to put it on
Where Can I Buy Otteroo From?
You should not buy an Otteroo from other people. This could happen on eBay, Craig’s list, Facebook listings, and other places as it might be hard to get reading materials or communications with Otteroo in case if anything goes wrong if you buy it from someone else. You can buy Otteroo directly from Otteroo.com.
Conclusion:
So is Otteroo safe for your baby? Well, it’s a little bit of both. I’m not going to lie and say that there are no risks involved with this product because after all, you’re still putting something around the neck of your child (and they may try to put their head underwater). But as long as supervision is in place and parents understand what situations could be dangerous then yes, I think Otteroo would be considered safe by most standards.
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