Parents and carers can go to Your First Steps for safety advice on how they can protect their baby when playing, moving, sleeping, soothing, bathing and changing.

Advice on car seats is included on the new Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) site with information on choosing new and second-hand car seats and using products safely.

“Young children, babies in particular, are among our most vulnerable members of the community and Your First Steps is a key part of our mission to help ensure their safety,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said.

“We know that preparing for the arrival of a new baby is an exciting time and that parents and carers can find choosing baby products confusing.

“Among all of the joy and chaos that a new baby brings, it can be difficult to choose safe products and understand how to use these products safely.”

Your First Steps also covers new and emerging product categories such as soothing items to help parents know what to look for when selecting and using products in the first six months of a child’s life.

The site also provides important information about commonly used baby products that can be dangerous.

“We are increasingly concerned about a number of products marketed at soothing babies,” Ms Rickard said.

“Weary parents can understandably see these products as lifesavers in the haze of new-parent exhaustion, but they are potentially deadly.”

Information about popular sleep aids such as soft toys and comforters is also included in the resource.

“Your First Steps is an essential and trustworthy resource for parents and carers as they take their first steps on their journey to raising a safe and happy baby,” Ms Rickard said.

How to install a car seat