Urgent Warning for Parents as Baby Bottle Self-Feeding Devices Are Permanently Banned in Australia

Australian parents are being urged to immediately stop using baby bottle self-feeding devices after a permanent ban was introduced due to serious safety concerns, including risks of choking, suffocation and strangulation.

The ban, issued by the ACCC, applies to any product designed to hold or position a baby bottle so an infant can feed without active adult supervision.

According to the regulator, these devices pose an “unacceptable risk of injury or death” and must no longer be supplied anywhere in Australia.

What Are Baby Bottle Self-Feeding Devices?

Baby bottle self-feeding devices are products that hold a bottle or teat in place so a baby can feed without someone physically holding it. They are often designed in ways that attach to a pram, a baby’s clothing, or sit in a fixed position near the infant.

This includes bottle propping devices, wearable bottle holders and flexible straw-style attachments that connect a bottle to a teat system.

While they may appear convenient, safety authorities say they remove the most important safeguard in infant feeding — active adult supervision.

Why Authorities Say They Are Dangerous

The ACCC warns that these devices are dangerous because babies are unable to control the flow of milk or remove the bottle if something goes wrong. This means liquid can be delivered faster than a baby can safely swallow, increasing the risk of choking or aspiration.

Without an adult present and actively holding the bottle, warning signs such as gagging, colour changes, or breathing difficulties may go unnoticed.

Safety concerns also include suffocation if a baby shifts position during feeding, as well as strangulation risks depending on how the device is attached or worn.

Authorities also note a range of other potential harms linked to their use, including ear infections, tooth decay, overfeeding, feeding difficulties, air swallowing and digestive discomfort.

Products Covered By The Ban

The permanent ban applies to any baby bottle self-feeding device designed to be used without active adult supervision. This includes:

Devices that hold a bottle in place inside or near a baby’s mouth (bottle propping systems)
Wearable products that attach to a person and hold a bottle during feeding
Flexible straw-style systems that connect a bottle to a teat for unattended feeding

Examples of banned products are shown on the ACCC website.

Importantly, the ban does not apply to sippy cups, trainer cups or straw cups, or to supplemental nursing systems used to support breastfeeding.

What Parents Need To Do

While the ban primarily targets suppliers, parents are being advised not to use these products under any circumstances.

If a product is still being sold, suppliers are required to stop immediately and may face significant penalties, including fines or legal action.

The ACCC has also encouraged anyone who comes across these products for sale to report them directly to the regulator.

A Simple Rule for Parents

Health and safety experts continue to emphasise one key message: babies should never be left to feed without active adult supervision.

Even products marketed as “convenient” or “hands-free” feeding solutions remove the watchful care that can make all the difference in an emergency.

For parents, the message from regulators is clear — if it allows a baby to bottle-feed without you holding the bottle, it is not safe and should not be used.