Boppy Newborn Loungers Have Been Recalled, But Caregivers Are Still Selling Them to Each Other
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The Boppy Company is recalling all models of its popular infant lounger, including all models and colors of the Newborn Lounger, the Preferred Newborn Lounger and the Pottery Barn Lounger.
The loungers present a suffocation risk, and it's been associated with at least eight infant deaths since 2015.
People who have purchased Boppy lounger should follow the company's instructions for receiving a refund.
More deaths were reported after the recall.
UPDATE 6/7/2023: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) reports that, even after a recall of loungers from The Boppy Company, it's still seeing purchases of recalled products through resale sites like Facebook Marketplace. Additional infant deaths have been reported since the recall. The CSPC urges caregivers to stop using these products due to a suffocation risk. In addition, the organization notes, "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."
In June 2022, a new federal safety standard took effect that requires any product marketed for baby sleep to adhere to safe-sleep guidelines. The Boppy products — in addition to inclined sleepers like the Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play — were already recalled before this law took effect. But that hasn't stopped these products from turning up on the secondhand market. The CSPC warns that caregivers should be aware of the safe sleep guidelines before purchasing or using any products used by infants when they sleep.
ORIGINAL 9/24/2021: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) and The Boppy Company have announced a voluntary recall the Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers.
In total, about 3.3 million of these products have been sold in the United States and Canada. If you have one in your home, you should immediately discontinue its use and follow the directions from the company and CSPC.
If You've Purchased a Boppy Newborn Lounger for Your Infant, the Company Is Issuing Refunds
You might be able to receive money back on any Boppy loungers purchased between 2004 and 2021. Because the product was deemed unsafe for infant sleep, replacements are not being offered.
Depending on how old the lounger is, the refund may be prorated. No matter when or where it was purchased, the company is asking customers to destroy their loungers in order to receive the refund. For more information, visit boppy.com/loungerrecall or call 1-800-416-1355. You can also get more details at the company's FAQ.
You can fill out a form online to start the refund process, but know that it'll be helpful to have:
The UPC number and date code for your lounger (visit the Boppy website if you need help figuring out where these are)
A receipt if you have one
A photograph of the lounger cut in half to prove that it's no longer usable
It's worth noting that this recall only affects the Boppy loungers. Other Boppy products, including the breastfeeding pillows, are not being recalled at this time.
Why Can't Babies Sleep in a Boppy Lounger?
According to the CSPC, "Infants can suffocate if they roll, move or are placed on the lounger in a position that obstructs breathing, or roll off the lounger onto an external surface, such as an adult pillow or soft bedding that obstructs breathing." There have been reports of eight deaths associated with using the Boppy loungers.
In this way, this situation is similar to the recall of inclined sleepers like the Fisher-Price Rock n' Play. Beginning in mid-2022, the CSPC reports, any product intended or marketed for infant sleep must meet a new federal safety standard. That may come as a surprise to parents who assume that these products are already checked for safety, but many are not tested to the latest standards. Until the new law takes effect, products similar to the Boppy lounger or inclined sleepers may still be marketed as baby sleep products. Parents should keep in mind guidelines for safe sleep environments, including:
Placing babies on their backs to sleep
Using a firm sleep surface
Removing all bedding except a tight-fitting sheet
Keeping all loose and soft objects out of the sleeping area
Sharing a room, but not a bed, for the first year
Using a pacifier at nap time and bedtime for the first six months
If there are any baby products in your home that don't meet these requirements, even if a recall has not been issued and they seem like they're designed for infant sleep, it's better to be on the cautious side and stop using them. In addition, you can find more sleep guidelines and information at the American Academy of Pediatrics' Safe Sleep website, or you can consult your pediatrician with any questions about safe sleep or product safety.
Stay Up-to-Date With Other Baby Product Recalls
You can sign up to be alerted about product recalls through the CSPC website. It's also a good idea to fill out the registry cards when buying gear like cribs and strollers, so you can be automatically alerted by the company if it has to do a recall. In addition, consumers can look up reports about product injuries or submit their own by visiting saferproducts.gov or by calling the hotline at (800) 638-2772.
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