Millions of newborn loungers recalled after 8 infant deaths

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall Thursday for several models of newborn lounger furniture pieces that pose a threat to infants.

The manufacturer, The Boppy Company, announced that more than 3 million lounger pillows were included in the recall. The models are Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, the Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers and the Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers. 

Infants using the loungers risk suffocation if they move, roll, or are placed on the pillow in a form that obstructs their breathing. Rolling off of the loungers and onto another surface that obstructs the airway, like regular adult pillows or bedding, also pose risks. 

The Boppy Company is offering refunds for customers with any of the recalled loungers. The company sold roughly 3.3 million loungers between January 2004 and September 2021. Prices range from $30 to $44.

More than 30,000 of them were distributed in Canada. 

Eight infant deaths have been linked to the three newborn lounger models, the CPSC notes, after the infant was placed on their back, side or stomach on the loungers. The infants were all found on their side or stomach. 

The fatalities occurred between December 2015 and June 2020.

“These types of incidents are heartbreaking,” said acting Chairman Robert Adler. “Loungers and pillow-like products are not safe for infant sleep, due to the risk of suffocation.”

The Boppy Company issued a statement, saying that the company is “devastated” in the wake of the infant deaths.

“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,” a spokesperson for Boppy said. “The lounger was not marketed as an infant sleep product and includes warnings against unsupervised use.”