Popular baby lounger now linked to 10 infant deaths since 2015; parents urged not to use
Federal officials are once again urging people to immediately stop using a recalled baby product that has been linked to at least 10 deaths.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Colorado-based The Boppy Company are urging consumer not to use Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers or Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers. More than 3 million of the loungers were recalled in September 2021 due to the risk that infants can suffocate if they roll, move or are placed on the pillow in a position that obstructs breathing or roll off the lounger onto a soft surface like a pillow.
The loungers have been linked to at least 10 infant deaths since 2015, including two after the recall was announced. One death occurred in October 2021 and involved an infant reportedly placed on the lounger to sleep and then rolling underneath a nearby adult pillow. The cause of death in that case was positional asphyxia. Another occurred in November 2021 when an infant on the Newborn Lounger in an adult bed with a parent was later found deceased. The cause of death in that case was undetermined.
The loungers have not been legal to sale since the recall but in a release, CPSC said it has sent “numerous” request to Facebook Marketplace and other online resellers to remove the recalled products from their sites.
“It is unlawful to offer for sale a CPSC recalled product on an online marketplace or to sell or donate a recalled product in any other manner,” CPSC said, adding the best place for a baby to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard with no blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers or other items.
Anyone with one of the loungers is advised not to use it and contact The Boppy Company at 800-416-1355 for a refund.