Boppy recalls millions of baby pillows after 8 infants die, US government says

‘The infants reportedly suffocated after being placed on their back, side or stomach on the lounger,’ says the US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Boppy is recalling 3.3 million of its pillows after eight reports of infant deaths (US Consumer Product Safety Commission)

The baby products company Boppy is recalling 3.3 million of its pillows after eight infants died using them, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission says.

“There have been eight reports of infant deaths associated with the Boppy Company Newborn Lounger and this hazard,” the CPSC said in a statement on Thursday. “The infants reportedly suffocated after being placed on their back, side or stomach on the lounger and were found on their side or on their stomach.”

According to the government agency, the deaths happened over the course of five years, from December 2015 to June 2020.

“These types of incidents are heartbreaking,” said the CPSC’s acting chairman, Robert Adler. “Loungers and pillow-like products are not safe for infant sleep, due to the risk of suffocation. Since we know that infants sleep so much of the time – even in products not intended for sleep – and since suffocation can happen so quickly, these Boppy lounger products are simply too risky to remain on the market.”

The recalled products are Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers, and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers.

Customers who own the products are urged to stop using them and return them to Boppy, which is required to provide a refund.

“We are devastated to hear of these tragedies,” a spokesperson for The Boppy Company said. “Boppy is committed to doing everything possible to safeguard babies, including communicating the safe use of our products to parents and caregivers, and educating the public about the importance of following all warnings and instructions and the risks associated with unsafe sleep practices for infants. The lounger was not marketed as an infant sleep product and includes warnings against unsupervised use.”

The CPSC, meanwhile, advised parents that babies are safer sleeping without any pillows at all.

“CPSC continues to emphasize that the best place for a baby to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet, or play yard,” the Commission said. “Parents and caregivers should never add blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers, or other items to an infant’s sleeping environment. Babies should always be placed to sleep on their backs.”

Customers seeking to return their products can call The Boppy Company at 800-416-1355, or visit www.boppy.com and click “Recall & Safety Alert”.