Late last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Fisher-Price issued a warning about the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play sleeper due to reports of infants rolling over and dying in them:
The CPSC is aware of 10 infant deaths in the Rock ‘n Play that have occurred since 2015, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side, while unrestrained. All 10 infants were 3 months or older.
Because deaths continue to occur, CPSC is recommending consumers stop use of the product by three months of age, or as soon as an infant exhibits rollover capabilities. CPSC has previously warned consumers to use restraints in infant inclined sleep products.
Previously, Fisher-Price warned consumers about this risk in infants, recommending that use of the device be stopped at the age when infants begin to roll over and adding a reminder to use the sleeper’s three-point harness to keep babies on their backs. CPSC also wants parents to be mindful of their infant’s sleep environment:
CPSC and Fisher-Price remind consumers to create a safe sleep environment for infants, whether using a crib, bassinet, play yard, or inclined sleeper: Never add blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, or other items to the environment and always place infants to sleep on their backs.
Review the ABCs of safe infant sleep environments on The PediaBlog here:
A = Alone (Not with other people, pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals.)
B = on my Back (Not on my stomach or side.)
C= in my Crib (Not on an adult bed, sofa, cushion, or other soft surface.)
(Image: Dr. Kim Burlingham — Winnsboro Pediatrics (TX))
*Update — 4/9/19 16:00: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, CPSC’s warning about the Rock ‘n Play doesn’t go far enough. The AAP announced today that Fischer-Price should recall the product:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue an immediate recall for the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper, which has been tied to 32 sleep-related infant deaths, according to a new analysis by Consumer Reports.
AAP urges parents to stop using the product immediately. Stores should remove the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper from their shelves. A warning issued by the CPSC and Fisher-Price on April 5 did not go far enough to ensure safety and protect infants, according to the AAP.
“This product is deadly and should be recalled immediately,” said Kyle Yasuda, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “When parents purchase a product for their baby or child, many assume that if it’s being sold in a store, it must be safe to use. Tragically, that is not the case. There is convincing evidence that the Rock ‘n Play inclined sleeper puts infants’ lives at risk, and CPSC must step up and take immediate action to remove it from stores and prevent further tragedies.”
Read the full AAP statement here.