Updated June 6, 2023 – Two more infant deaths have been linked to Boppy Nursing Pillows and Loungers three years after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned caregivers never to let babies fall asleep on pillows or lounging pads.
In June 2023, the CPSC made an announcement that two more babies have died after falling asleep in Boppy newborn loungers. The CPSC and Boppy have sent several requests to Facebook Marketplace and other secondhand marketplaces to remove the recalled products that continue to appear for sale.
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CPSC Warns Against Letting Babies Fall Asleep on Nursing Pillows and Loungers
In October 2020, The CPSC warned parents about the suffocation risk of using unsafe products for infant sleep. In September 2021, a Consumer Reports analysis of government data uncovered at least 28 infant deaths between 2012-2018 tied to nursing pillows and loungers made by several companies, including Boppy. Many of the reports came from data sent to Consumer Reports by the CPSC that mistakenly included manufacturer and brand names. Consumer Reports then began an investigation into the dangers of infant sleep products, which led to the recall of at least 5.6 million inclined sleepers, including the Fisher-Price Rock ’n Play Sleeper.
Consumer Reports found seven more reports of infant deaths and one injury linked to nursing pillows and loungers made by Boppy in 2021. Most deaths happened after parents put their babies to sleep while propped up by a pillow or lounger, which leads to suffocation when the baby rolls over into the soft fabric.
In response to the Consumer Reports investigation, Boppy claims to be working with the CPSC to make their products safer. But babies continue to die. Recent reports show repeated patterns of infants dying from “asphyxia associated with an unsafe sleep environment” after being placed in a Boppy pillow.
Boppy Recalls Newborn Loungers After 8 Infant Deaths
On September 21, 2021, Boppy issued a recall for over 3 million infant loungers after reports of eight infant deaths. According to the CPSC, the recall includes Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers, and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers. The recalled loungers were sold between January 2004 and September 2021 at retailers including Pottery Barn Kids, Target, Walmart, and Amazon.com. Eight infant deaths were reported between December 2015 and June 2020. The babies suffocated from rolling onto their sides or stomaches after falling asleep on the loungers.
Safe Sleep Recommendations for Babies
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says babies should sleep alone, unrestrained, and on their backs on a firm, flat surface free of soft padding and bedding. The AAP says that while nursing pillows can help make babies more comfortable while breastfeeding, they should only be used when the parent and baby are awake. The AAP also says that babies’ heads and necks should be positioned so their airway is clear and the baby can breathe while nursing. Safety experts recommend only putting babies to sleep in products that meet federal requirements for safe infant sleep.
About the Pritzker Hageman Child Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyers
Our team of child injury and wrongful death lawyers helps families whose children have been injured or killed by unsafe products. In one recent case, we achieved a significant settlement for the grieving family of a baby who died after suffocating in a baby carrier sling. If you would like to talk to a lawyer about your case, please call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-08566, or fill out the form below.