A permanent ban on baby bottle self-feeding devices is now in effect across Australia, making it illegal to supply, manufacture, advertise or sell the products.
The ban applies to products that position a baby bottle, or bottle teat, so an infant can self-feed without another person holding the bottle or without adult supervision. The ACCC said the devices pose serious safety risks, including choking, aspiration and suffocation.
What products are banned?
The ban covers products designed to let babies feed from a bottle without another person holding it. This includes devices that support the bottle’s position or use a straw, tube or similar attachment.
Products captured by the ban include:
- bottle propping products that position a bottle in an infant’s mouth
- products worn on a person’s body that hold a bottle used for feeding a baby
- straw-style feeding devices where the teat is connected to the bottle via a flexible straw
The ban does not apply to supplemental nursing systems used to support breastfeeding. It also does not extend to sippy cups, trainer cups or straw cups intended for drinking rather than as a baby’s sole source of nutrition.
ACCC warns businesses over penalties
The ban follows a Safety Warning Notice issued in August 2024 and an ACCC investigation into the safety of the devices. That investigation included consultation with a paediatric health expert and healthcare stakeholders.
Businesses must not manufacture, advertise or sell baby bottle self-feeding devices. Significant penalties may apply for non-compliance.
“Each year, we set our product safety priorities to target and increase awareness of high-risk unsafe consumer goods. This year, our focus has been on unsafe products sold in digital markets and product safety issues for young children,” Catriona Lowe, ACCC Deputy Chair, said.
“Baby bottle self-feeding devices pose an unacceptable risk of injury or death to infants as a result of choking, suffocation and aspiration, as babies do not have the ability to regulate the flow of milk or remove the bottle from their mouth themselves.”
Catriona Lowe
Lowe said the permanent ban sends a clear message to suppliers.
“This permanent ban makes clear that products which undermine safe infant feeding practices will not be tolerated in the Australian market. Suppliers should be aware that it is now illegal to supply these products in Australia, and penalties may apply for businesses that do not comply.”
“We urge consumers to stop using these devices immediately and to always actively supervise babies during feeding,” Lowe said.
Advice for consumers
Consumers who have purchased or own a baby bottle self-feeding device should stop using it immediately. The ACCC said the products should be disposed of safely so they cannot be used by anyone else.
Parents and carers are also advised to follow government safety advice on infant feeding, including never propping a bottle and never leaving a baby to feed unsupervised.
Consumers who become aware of baby bottle self-feeding devices being supplied or offered for sale in Australia can report the product to the ACCC.
Top image: (L-R) Baby self feeding pillows, flexible arm device