Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness , Value
Emma PyfromWard
2 years ago
A recent Consumer Reports report stated that the incorrect use of “Boppy nursing pillows and infant loungers” have resulted in at least seven infant deaths. The fatalities have all transpired following the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s warning that infants should not be permitted to sleep unattended on “pillow-like products” due to suffocation risk back in 2019. According […]
Boppy Nursing Pillow
A recent Consumer Reports report stated that the incorrect use of “Boppy nursing pillows and infant loungers” have resulted in at least seven infant deaths. The fatalities have all transpired following the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s warning that infants should not be permitted to sleep unattended on “pillow-like products” due to suffocation risk back in 2019. According to Consumer Reports, infants could roll over, or the baby’s head could drop into the cushioning in such a way that the baby’s airway is blocked, suffocating them. Consumer Reports affirmed that this is how some of the babies suffocated.
In its recent article, Consumer Reports affirmed that the Boppy pillow and lounging pads are for infants to sit or lie on while they are awake. The article also states that nursing pillows are intended for use while breastfeeding infants.
Back in October 2020, the Consumer Products Safety Commission issued a warning to parents “not to use nursing pillows for sleep.” The CPSC then initiated a formal investigation into infant deaths caused by “pillow-like products.” The investigation was prompted after 28 infant fatalities were connected to all brands of nursing pillows. However, the fatalities since the investigation have all been connected to Boppy products, Consumer Reports reported.
According to Consumer Reports’ policy counsel, Oriene Shin, ten months have passed since the CPSC’s warning, and the company’s response has been insufficient since babies are continuing to die.
Boppy states that the company emphasizes that infants should not be laid down to sleep or be left unattended while in one of their pillows or loungers. Back in June, Boppy reemphasized the warning during National Safety Month. The company announced its “Boppy Pledge.” It urged parents and caregivers to take the pledge, which contains a promise to use their pillow and lunger products for “adult-supervised awake time only and to ask others to do the same by sharing the pledge with their peers, family members, child-care providers, and others.”
According to Boppy Marketing Vice President Amy St. Germain, the company has always stressed that their infant pillow and lounger products are for use while the infant is awake. She also stated that all products include warnings not to leave infants “unattended or left to sleep on or with any Boppy product.”
Consumer Reports’ Oriene Shin believes that Boppy’s customers deserve answers. Shin believes that the company needs to make design changes to prevent more infant suffocation deaths. Ms. Shin also wants the CPSC to require the company to take action regarding the recent baby fatalities.
According to Boppy Marketing Vice President Amy St. Germain, the company is currently working with the CPSC to make babies safer.
Did you baby suffocate while using a Boppy pillow or infant lounger? Parker Waichman LLP helps families recover monetary compensation for harm caused by a defective product. For your free consultation, contact our law firm today by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).