After Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play recalled millions of its infant inclined sleepers after the product was linked to infant deaths, Consumer Reports conducted a study and found that all such products pose a risk and urges all of these products to be recalled. Additionally, the consumer protection agency released new data that shows potential dangers linked to in-bed infant sleep products after more infant deaths were linked to these products.
Recall on Infant Inclined Sleepers
Fisher-Price recalled all 4.7 million of its popular Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play sleeper products. The recall was prompted by reports of infant deaths linked to the product. In one case, a three-month old was in the Fisher-Price sleeper. When his mother returned to the room, she found him unresponsive and with his head at an odd angle. She, and later paramedics, tried to revive him with CPR, but their attempts were unsuccessful. A later autopsy did not provide any clues about how the death occurred. It was not until April 2018 when Consumer Reports linked the Fisher-Price sleeper to many infant deaths that the mother realized how her child died.
Some infant reclined sleepers by other manufacturers have been recalled. However, others are still available for sale.
Deaths Linked to Inclined Sleepers
As of today, at least 73 deaths of babies have been linked to inclined sleepers with the most recent death occurring in May 2019. This was nearly two months after the Fisher-Price recall on its products. At least six babies have died in inclined sleepers during the first five months of 2019 as the industry and federal regulators have allowed the products to remain available for sale. Several families have filed lawsuits have related to the inclined sleepers and infant injuries or deaths.
Independent Study Conducted on the Sleepers
The Consumer Product Safety Commission conducted an independent study on infant inclined sleep products. It tested several infant inclined sleepers. These products place an infant at an incline. Some models have an incline up to 30 degrees. Additionally, these products encourage sleep with a rounded sleep surface and soft side padding.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission commissioned the study in 2018 after it received reports of many injuries and fatalities linked to infant inclined sleepers over the previous few years. At the time, it had no reliable research that explained why these injuries and deaths had occurred.
Researchers monitored the body movements and oxygen levels of ten babies between the age of two and six months while they were in inclined sleepers to evaluate the potential risks of the products. The researchers then compared these findings to the movements and oxygen levels of the infants ies while they were placed on a flat mattress and while placed on an inclined mattress at varying angles.
The results of the study were presented at a meeting organized by ASTM International, which helps develop voluntary safety standards for consumer products. Consumer Reports is a member of the organization. The meeting was based on infant inclined sleep products and many other safety groups, experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, representatives from the baby product industry and members from other organizations were present.
Study Results
Researchers concluded that none of the inclined sleep products they evaluated during the study were safe for infant sleep. They found that these products’ design allowed infants to move in a very different manner than they do when on a firm, flat mattress. While in these products, it was easier for the babies to roll onto their stomachs. When the babies rolled over, their oxygen levels were cut in half and the infants exerted almost 2.5 times more abdominal muscle activity when compared with the levels they had when on a flat mattress. Researchers said that these findings imply that babies exhaust themselves and may suffocate when rolling onto their stomachs in inclined sleepers. Researchers also point to testimonials from the parents of some of the babies who have died while using these products who said their babies had not ever rolled onto their stomachs before using the product and finding them dead in these products on top of their stomach.
Researchers concluded that placing infants at an incline of even 20 degrees exposed them to possible muscle fatigue and a risk of suffocation. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that a flat surface with less than a 10-degree incline offers infants the safest possible sleep environment.
Study researchers indicate that more research is needed into the cause of fatalities that resulted when infants died and were found on their backs. These babies also died from suffocation and were discovered on their back. Additionally, researchers say that further research into the fabric’s breathability is necessary.
Several of the infants who died on their backs in these products were at an increased risk of suffocation. Some were born prematurely while others suffered from a chronic health condition or had a virus at the time of their death. These factors are linked to a heightened infant mortality rate and vulnerability to suffocation.
While the study provided much-needed information, some doctors say that the study should have been conducted a decade ago before the sleepers were ever placed on the market to provide basic safety research to the manufacturers.
Proposal to Regulate Infant Sleepers
Currently, infant sleepers do not have to meet federal safety regulations. However, the five commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission unanimously voted to move forward with the proposal to regulate all infant sleepers. The proposed rule will be open for public comment until January 2020. If the rule is passed, the Commission will take steps to remove all infant inclined sleepers from the market and ensure that any similar product meets more stringent safety requirements.
However, Consumer Reports is concerned that it will take time for this proposal to become effective. Meanwhile, other babies who use the products could possibly be injured or killed. This is why Consumer Reports urges all inclined sleepers to be pulled from the market.
Investigation into Unsafe In-Bed Infant Sleep Products
Consumer Reports also recently investigated in-bed infant sleep products after at least 12 infant deaths between 2012 and 2018 were connected to these products. The organization has found major safety issues with these products, including a possible suffocation risk due to the padding and soft surfaces if babies roll onto them. Additionally, adults could roll onto the product or make it unstable, causing their baby to roll into the soft bedding. These products are not required to meet federal safety standards.
Consumer Reports reported safety issues with the Baby Delight Snuggle Nest Infant Sleeper, SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper and DockATot. Its safety experts believe that the products have not been adequately safety tested and that none of them adhere to safe sleep recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which states that the safest sleeping position for an infant is on its back on a firm surface. It urges parents to stop using these products and to follow the AAP’s sleep recommendations.
One of the manufacturers refused to comment while the other two say that their products were not the cause of the infant deaths and that other factors were to blame.
Help for Families Injured by Dangerous Products
Defective products affect many people, including babies and children. Toys, furniture and other consumer products may pose unnecessary dangers to the most vulnerable populations. When a person is injured by a dangerous product, he or she may be able to pursue compensation through a products liability claim. An experienced lawyer can discuss if your claim qualifies and if you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our knowledgeable lawyers.
