The Boppy Company has recalled about 3.3 million loungers because the products have been tied to eight reported infant deaths. According to Consumer Reports, three models of loungers were recalled, including the Boppy Original Newborn Lounger, the Boppy Preferred Newborn Lounger, and the Pottery Barn Kids Newborn Boppy Lounger. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges parents to stop using the products immediately and to contact the company for a full refund due to the danger of suffocation.
The Boppy Company sold the recalled products in a variety of colors. They were sold at juvenile product stores and major retailers, including Amazon, Pottery Barn, Target, and Walmart, from January 2004 through September 2021 for between $30 and $44.
Why Are These Products Dangerous?
This recall came after a Consumer Reports investigation, which linked these products and nursing pillows to at least seven deaths based on a review of government data. It also comes a year after CPSC warned caregivers never to let babies sleep on lounging pads, which are meant to sit or lie on while awake and supervised. CPSC also urged parents not to allow infants to sleep on nursing pillows meant to make breastfeeding more comfortable.
Why are these products dangerous? When babies are left unsupervised or sleeping on these products, they may roll over, or their heads may fall in a way that can block their airways and cause suffocation. Consumer Reports has tied at least 28 infant deaths to lounging pads and nursing pillows. While the CPSC has been investigating both loungers and nursing pillows manufactured by several companies, this recall focuses on Boppy loungers because of the risk of suffocation.
According to Consumer Reports, this recall did not come soon enough. Safety advocates say this is yet another example of a company taking advantage of outdated federal product safety laws that keep consumers in the dark about product-related dangers. They say this is why Congress needs to strengthen the CPSC’s ability to warn the public about such dangerous products and take quick, forceful action to hold companies accountable when consumers are at risk.
If You Have Been Affected
If you have been affected by these or other dangerous products, you may be able to hold the at-fault manufacturers liable by filing a product liability lawsuit. Affected victims and their families may be able to seek compensation for damages and losses. We hope that Congress can pass meaningful legislation in the near future so consumers can be kept better informed about such dangerous products. It is outrageous and tragic that so many innocent lives had to be lost before this recall was issued.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/baby-product-recalls/boppy-loungers-recalled-linked-to-infant-deaths-a9736180995/
