How to Check for Baby Product Recalls

Baby products are rigorously tested before hitting the market, making sure they’re designed for baby’s safety, free of toxic materials and compliant with federal regulations. But product recalls can still happen—and it’s a good idea to stay informed to help keep your little one safe. Here’s how to check if a specific product has been recalled and how to stay on top of the latest baby product recalls in general.

How to Check Recalls of a Specific Baby Product

If you’re concerned about a particular product—whether it’s new or used—there are a few different places you can check, including federal agencies, manufacturers, brands or retailers. 

Using the resources below, you can check recall information on any product, whether you own it or not. If you’re checking on a product that you already own, the most important thing to do is verify your product’s details, including the model number, serial number and manufacture date. These details can usually be found on the product label, packaging or stamped onto the product itself (usually somewhere discreet, like on the bottom). It’s crucial to compare it with the details listed in the official recall notice, since some recalls only apply to certain batches or manufacturing dates rather than the entire product line.

Check Official Government Sources

The most reliable sources for recall information are the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). To find info on a specific product, use the search function on each site by entering the product name or brand—you can also narrow your search further by specifying the product category, like the “Babies and Kids” category on the CPSC site. Serial numbers aren’t required for a basic search, but you do need to make sure you’re using the most accurate name for a product rather than a generic name in order to get the best results (like “Rock N Play Sleeper” rather than “baby seat”).

Since both the CPSC and the FDA are official federal government agencies, they’re responsible for reporting if any products don’t adhere to US product safety standards—that includes products that are newer to the market as well as products that have been around for decades. The CPSC is your go-to source for recalls on non-consumables (things like baby gear, toys, clothes and furniture), while the FDA handles recalls on medicines and food, including baby formula.

When it comes to non-consumables, a CPSC spokesperson tells us that it’s important to check their recall records no matter when or how you purchased a certain baby item. "Always check to see if any purchased baby products have been recalled, which includes any secondhand products. Remember, babies rely on adults to keep them safe.” 

Check Manufacturer or Brand Websites

Manufacturers and brands also often list recall information on their websites, typically on a dedicated safety or recall page where they post official notices (usually found at the very bottom of the homepage or on the Customer Service page—see the examples below). 

You’ll likely need some of your product’s information when you’re checking recalls directly on a brand’s website. Depending on the recall, you might need the model number, serial number, lot code, manufacture date or expiration date.

Retailers can also be a helpful resource for recall information. If you purchased a product through Amazon, Target, Walmart or any other major retailer, you can find recall notices on their dedicated recall pages. Sometimes retailers will also contact you directly if they know you purchased a recalled product through them; they’ll usually send you an email and leave a notification on your account.

Register Your Product

Another important step in the recall notification process: register your baby products with the manufacturer, especially bigger pieces of gear like car seats, strollers and furniture. Many brands offer a product registration option, often available online or as a mail card included in the product packaging. 

Registering your products allows manufacturers to notify you directly if a recall is issued for the specific item you own. This ensures that even if you miss announcements posted on any of the places above, you’ll still receive timely notifications via email, mail or phone.

How to Stay Informed About Baby Product Recalls in General

Along with checking on specific products, being proactive about recalls in general can help you stay ahead of potential safety issues. The best way to do that is to sign up for direct email notifications from the CPSC and from the FDA. Both agencies also share recall information across their social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X, BlueSky, Threads and LinkedIn. Be sure to follow their official accounts to receive updates directly in your feed—you can find the full list of each agency’s social media channels on the CPSC’s social media directory and the FDA’s social and interactive media list (including podcasts). 

You can also subscribe to newsletters from manufacturers, retailers and trusted parenting websites—like the Babylist newsletter, where relevant baby product recalls are listed every week, and our baby product recall roundup, which gets updated for each major relevant recall.

Whether it’s bigger baby gear like car seats and strollers, smaller gear like bouncers and swings, clothes, furniture, toys or even baby food or formula, it’s important to be in the know about the safety of your baby’s things. While baby products are safer now than they’ve ever been, baby safety regulations and certification processes are always evolving to keep your little one as safe and healthy as possible.