The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff members have recommended a significant redesign of most baby loungers and similar infant cushions due to the alarming number of deaths associated with them. The proposal comes after 79 deaths were reported between 2010 and 2022, with the majority occurring when babies were placed to sleep on these cushioned products.
If the proposal is adopted, it would establish the first federal safety requirements for infant loungers. The new regulations would also extend to crib pillows, head positioners, nursing pillows marketed as loungers, and other infant support cushions. The aim is to ensure that these products are as firm as crib mattresses and have cushion walls no higher than 2 inches to minimize the risk of suffocation or babies getting trapped in positions that hinder their breathing.
Additionally, the recommendation includes the need for prominent warning labels on these products, cautioning against using them for sleep or leaving babies unattended. The intended effect is to reshape the market significantly, resulting in firmer, flatter, and thinner products that are less likely to be used for sleeping purposes, thus increasing the chances of child survival.
This proposal follows an investigation by NBC News, which uncovered at least 25 deaths linked to baby loungers since 2015. The CPSC’s figure of 79 deaths covers a wider range of infant support cushions over a longer time span. The staff’s recommendations are scheduled to be discussed by CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. and the three other commissioners on November 29. If approved, the proposal will be open for public feedback before finalization and implementation.
Manufacturers of these infant loungers, such as The Boppy Company, Snuggle Me Organic, and DockATot, have previously defended the safety of their products when used as intended—while babies are awake and supervised. The CPSC staff estimates that implementing the recommended redesigns could cost the industry up to $27 million in the first year, which could potentially be offset by modest retail price increases.
The proposal comes two years after The Boppy Company recalled over 3 million Boppy infant loungers following eight reported deaths due to infant suffocation. However, NBC News’ investigation revealed that more babies have since died in the Boppy Newborn Lounger and similar products made by other companies.
While newborns can quickly fall asleep in these cozy, pillow-like loungers, they are not designed for sleeping. Dr. Rachel Moon, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ task force on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), explained that if infants are cradled inside loungers with high side walls, caregivers may be more inclined to step away. Dr. Moon suspects that the reported 79 deaths are an underestimate, as reporting such incidents to the CPSC is voluntary.
The risks associated with these products include suffocation if babies turn their faces into the padded surfaces or asphyxiation if they become stuck in positions that obstruct their breathing. Asphyxia-related deaths can occur in as little as three minutes, according to the CPSC staff.
Brandon Movitz, whose son Pierce died while sleeping in a DockATot Deluxe+ lounger, expressed gratitude for the CPSC staff’s safety recommendations. However, he believes that manufacturers should do more to educate parents about the potential dangers associated with these products. Images of babies napping in loungers continue to circulate on social media, creating confusion regarding their appropriate use.
The CPSC has recently proposed safety rules for nursing pillows and rockers, two other baby products linked to infant deaths. These measures reflect the agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of infant products and protect the well-being of children.
