Seven recent child deaths have been linked to infant loungers and nursing pillows made by Boppy, a popular manufacturer of nursery products. This shocking information, from Consumer Reports analysis based on government data, comes nearly one year after a watchdog warning over the safety of lounging pads for infants.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the federal agency that oversees the safety of thousands of home goods, warned parents and caregivers never to let infants sleep on lounging pads, which are intended for babies to sit or lie on while they are awake, or on nursing pillows which are meant to make breastfeeding easier.
What Makes These Products Dangerous?
When babies are left unattended or sleeping on these products, they may roll over, or their heads may fall it can block their breathing and lead to suffocation. When the CPSC warning came in October 2020, Consumer Reports uncovered at least 28 infant deaths from 2012 to 2018 tied to nursing pillows and baby loungers manufactured by various companies, including some from Boppy.
The analysis was based on CPSC data, including its SaferProducts.gov public database of incidents. Since then, Consumer Reports says it has learned of seven additional infant fatalities and one injury through a public database, all linked to nursing pillows or loungers made by Boppy.
Most fatalities happened when the children were put to sleep while propped up by a pillow or lounger. The babies then rolled over into the soft fabric and could not breathe. In many cases, other factors contributed to the death, such as a blanket on the baby or a parent or sibling in bed. In one case, a 2-month-old infant was placed in the Boppy pillow in an adult bed with an adult lying next to her rolled over and was face down on the pillow, which caused her to suffocate and die.
Proper Sleeping Position for Infants
According to the American Association of Pediatrics, babies should always be on their backs on a firm, flat surface designed for sleep, such as a crib or bassinet that meets safety standards. Pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals should be kept out of a child’s sleep space.
Parents should not rely on commercially-sold sleep apnea monitors that claim to alert them if the baby stops breathing or if the heart rate is prolonged. If a dangerous or defective product has injured you or a loved one, please get in touch with an experienced product defect lawyer who can provide you with more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/child-safety/boppy-loungers-and-nursing-pillows-linked-to-infant-deaths-a4080750405/
