The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has introduced stringent safety recommendations for infant rockers, which have become popular tools for parents and caregivers seeking to soothe their infants. These rockers, designed with reclined seats and adjustable rocking motions, have been associated with 11 fatalities, 88 injuries, and 1,088 incidents between 2011 and 2022.
Infant rockers, known for their reclining seats and calming rocking motions, often come equipped with features like adjustable rocking speeds, timers, and soothing sounds or music. With approximately 567,500 units sold annually, these products have found widespread use in households.
Despite product instructions emphasizing the need for adult supervision and discouraging prolonged use, parents and caregivers often employ these rockers in ways that contradict these guidelines. Some parents have reported their infants napping or even sleeping overnight in the rockers, as the gentle rocking motion and reclined seat tend to lull babies to sleep quickly.
However, when left unattended, infants in these rockers face potential dangers. Babies can suffocate if they slouch down in the seat or turn their heads into the surrounding cushioning. The use of extra blankets further heightens the risk of suffocation. Improper placement on uneven surfaces may also result in the rockers tipping over, causing harm to the baby. The CPSC reports that many injuries stemmed from incidents involving the rockers tipping over with babies inside, leading to head injuries.
To enhance the safety of infant rockers, the CPSC has outlined the following safety guidelines:
Infant rockers should feature firmer and flatter surfaces to prevent suffocation.
All rockers must pass stability tests to prevent tipping over.
To prevent strangulation, the length of hanging straps must be standardized.
Prominent warning labels must be affixed to every rocker, discouraging their use for sleep and cautioning against the addition of bedding or blankets.
CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric states, “I believe that these rules can significantly enhance the safety of these products.”
These safety regulations will apply to all infant rockers, as well as infant and toddler rockers, and any “multi-mode products with a rocker mode.” Notably, distinct inclined sleepers like the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play, which were recalled in 2019 and linked to approximately 100 fatalities, are already subject to previous safety measures.
Currently, the only existing standard requirements for infant rockers pertain to strap security, stability, slip resistance, drop tests, and the presence of a secure toy bar system. Manufacturers are not presently obligated to include warnings about potential injuries or fatalities on their products. The proposed safety rules aim to address these gaps in safety regulation and minimize risks associated with infant rockers.
