In a significant move, four major retailers have decided to stop selling inclined infant sleepers following alarming safety concerns. Last week, the advocacy group Consumer Reports reached out to Amazon and 14 other retailers, urging them to cease the sale of these products after research indicated they pose serious risks to infants. In response, Amazon, Walmart, Buy Buy Baby, and eBay have removed all inclined sleepers from their platforms.
Consumer Reports emphasized the urgency of the situation in their letter, stating, “Given the compelling evidence demonstrating that inclined sleep products are unsafe and are linked to at least 73 infant deaths, we urge your company to immediately withdraw all inclined sleep products from your shelves and online marketplaces. This action is crucial for the safety of infants and to clarify safe sleep practices for caregivers.”
This isn’t just a single brand issue; the findings from a recent study commissioned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) confirmed that none of the evaluated inclined sleep products are safe. The research, led by Dr. Erin M. Mannen, found that these products fail to provide a safe sleeping environment for infants. Following the study, the CPSC advised parents to “stop using infant sleep products with inclined seat backs of more than 10 degrees,” highlighting the potential dangers.
With such a troubling connection to numerous infant fatalities, the decision to pull these products from shelves is the only responsible action. Consumer Reports specifically mentioned problematic products like the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper and Kids II rocking sleepers, which position babies at angles between 10 and 30 degrees—levels that have been proven unsafe.
“Infant inclined sleepers are not safe for baby sleep, and there is now significant momentum to remove them from the market entirely,” said Lisa Grant, the safety policy manager at Consumer Reports. “We call on all retailers, including online platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, to follow suit and eliminate these products.”
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In summary, the decision by major retailers to halt the sale of inclined sleepers marks a crucial step towards ensuring infant safety, following research that links these products to multiple infant deaths.