On Wednesday, June 2, 2021, the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) approved a new infant safety regulation. All products intended for infant sleep will be tested to make sure the angle is less than 10 degrees AND they must meet current standards for cribs and bassinets. Neither of these is required of inclined sleepers and similar baby sleep products today.
This regulation will remove unsafe sleep products from the marketplace beginning in the middle of 2022, when it goes into effect. The unsafe baby sleep products impacted by the new regulation include an array of items marketed for baby sleep. They’re commonly known as rockers, baby nests, docks, loungers, nappers, pods and positioners. These baby items have become increasingly popular over the last decade. Expecting parents put them on their baby registries- and they’re often on the top of the must-have baby items. Some parents feel they help minimize reflux and help their babies sleep better.
Why are these dangerous baby sleep products?
Here’s what many parents don’t realize: between 2005 and 2019, over 1000 inclined sleeper incidents were reported to CPSC. This list of incidents included 73 infant deaths that occurred in an inclined sleeper. Babies positioned in these products have the potential to fall asleep in a chin-to-chest position. This position can result in restriction of the airway of a tiny baby.
While some baby stores don’t carry these products, many still do. Many of these unsafe sleepers and baby sleep products can easily be found online or at yard sales or in buy/sell groups. Even though this regulation goes into effect in 2022, please heed this warning. The products mentioned are not made for safe sleep. If in doubt, check the CPSC website. https://www.cpsc.gov/