What Should I Do If I Currently Have An Infant Sleeper Or Rock N Play
The CPSC cautions parents and consumers to stop using infant sleep products with inclined seat backs of more than 10 degrees. Their guidelines also include:
- Do not use infant car seats, bouncers, or other types of infant inclined products for sleep, and follow all manufacturer instructions.
- Follow safe sleep advice. They recommend Bare is Best, which means not adding blankets, pillows, or other items to your babys sleep environment. This also includes Back to Sleep, which means always placing babies on their backs on a firm, flat surface.
- Check cpsc.gov often for nursery product recalls. If a product is recalled, you will find instructions for refund, replacement, or repair. If you have previously registered your product with the manufacturer, they should contact you directly in the event of a recall.
Moms Mamaroo Sleep Bassinet
The 4moms brand tends to have a cult following with their baby products.
This bassinet follows the safe sleep guidelines, including a firm, flat surface and baby being in his own space, while providing additional soothing features for baby.
The bassinet connects to an app on your phone via Bluetooth so you can control things like the white noise, rocking motions, and speeds from the comfort of your own bed. It also has a timer feature so you can set it and let the rocking turn off once baby has fallen asleep.
It has five different motions described as car ride, kangaroo, tree swing, rock-a-bye, and wave so you can find the motion that your baby likes the best!
Fact : There Are Legal Options For Holding Fisher
Many are now taking action on behalf of injured infants, filing claims against Fisher-Price and its parent company, Mattel. Currently, there are two sets of Rock n Play Sleeper lawsuits , alleging that Fisher-Price:
- Knew or should have known about the dangers of the Rock n Play Sleeper
- Failed to warn parents about the inherent risks associated with this product
- Failed to take prompt action to remove this sleeper from the market as soon as there were reports of infant injuries and deaths.
If your child has been hurt in a Fisher-Price Rock n Play Sleeper or a similar inclined sleeper made by another company, you may have legal options for holding Fisher-Price accountable for the harm caused by its dangerous product.
To find out more about your legal options for justice and financial recovery, simply contact the Amaro Law Firm for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation.
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What Parents Should Do
Given the number of injuries and deaths, consumer safety advocates question why neither Mattel nor the CPSC has yet initiated a recall.
In cases like these, where the product is on the market and there have been incidents associated with it, its very difficult to understand why the enforcement agency with jurisdiction over this product wouldnt take action, said Rachel Weintraub, legislative director and general counsel of the Consumer Federation of America. When we know there are products that are posing risks and causing fatalities, that product in almost every case needs to be taken off the market.
The alert issued by the CPSC and Fisher-Price is inadequate, said Cowles of KID. She reiterated that children should not sleep restrained, and that children should sleep on flat surfaces, not inclines.
They should get rid of this product category, Cowles said. Anything intended for infant sleep should be flat. And then there should be specific recalls on the products that have been involved in deaths.
CR safety experts agree and recommend that anyone who currently has a Rock n Play Sleeper should immediately stop using it for routine sleep. Instead, babies should be put to bed alone, on their backs, on a firm, flat mattress in a crib, bassinet, or play yard.
On April 12 2019 The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission1 Issued A Recall Of All Models Of The Fisher
Pursuant to the RECALL: “Infant fatalities have occurred in Rock ‘n Play Sleepers, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, or under other circumstances” 4 and
“Since the 2009 product introduction, over 30 infant fatalities have occurred in Rock ‘n Play Sleepers, after the infants rolled over while unrestrained, or under other circumstances.” 5
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission advises that “Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Fisher-Price for a refund or voucher.”
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Product Doesnt Meet Safety Requirements
Health Canada explained that the Fisher-Price Newborn Rock n Play Sleeper was advertised as a sleeping accommodation for a baby, but it does not meet the safety requirements in place for cribs, cradles and bassinets.
As a playtime or soothing seat, the product is not subject to the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations, the health agency explained.
The product was sold in Canada until 2011, but was then removed from the market from parent company Mattel Canada Inc.
After 2011, the sleepers may have been bought by Canadians through third-party retailers or online.
WATCH: Fisher Price seat recall not in Canada why?
What Can I Use Instead Of The Rock N Play
If youre looking for an alternative to the Rock N Play, there are plenty of other infant bassinets out there that take up minimal space and fold down easily. Many of them even have rocking features included to help get your baby to sleep.
I loved being able to bring my Rock N Play to various rooms with me and keep my baby close by while I was cooking dinner or taking a shower.
The portability and light weight of the Rock N Play were essential features for me and one of the reasons we chose to get one when considering a bassinet vs crib.
These Rock N Play alternatives are safe-sleep bassinets that you can use for your baby. Many of them are lightweight and portable, and most have a rocking or motion feature.
The one thing these sleepers dont have is an incline position.
A firm and flat surface is the safest sleeping position for your baby. Your baby should always be put down to sleep on their back and on a flat surface. If youre using an inclined rocker or bouncer, make sure you only use it when your baby is awake and is being supervised.
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More Infant Deaths Emerge
As the recalls progress slowed and millions of products remained at large, reports of additional infant deaths linked to the Rock n Play continued to rise.
Concerns about the safety of the Rock n Play emerged in early April 2019, when CR first reported that almost three dozen infants had died while in the sleeper. Fisher-Price recalled the product less than a week later.
Parents around the U.S., stricken with grief over the loss of a newborn, heard about the risks of the Rock n Plays design and how it played a role in numerous infant deaths. As Fisher-Price learned of more incidents tied to the sleeper, it was required to notify the CPSC in the monthly recall reportsbroken down by deaths that occurred prior to and after the recall.
By the time Fisher-Price was called to testify before Congress in the summer of 2021, the number of infant deaths linked to the Rock n Play had ballooned to 97, with the most recent report on the CPSCs SaferProducts.gov website made public in April of 2021.
Infant died after rolling over in a rock n play device while sleeping, the report says.
Why Is It Dangerous For Babies To Sleep At An Incline
The American Academy of Pediatrics has been warning for years that inclined sleepers are unsafe, recommending as far back as 2016 that a safe sleep environment include supine positioning, use of a firm sleep surface, room-sharing without bed-sharing, and avoidance of soft bedding and overheating. The supine position means lying horizontally with the face and torso facing up.
A 2019 open letter from Consumer Reports to retailers explained the risks of infants sleeping at an incline. Citing a study from agency-commissioned biomechanical research led by Erin M. Mannen, Ph.D. into the dangers associated with infant inclined sleep products, they urged companies to recall all their infant sleepers with an inclined back surface.
Sleeping at an inclined surface in these types of rockers can increase the risk of neck injuries, head injuries, asphyxiation, suffocation, accidental or wrongful death in infants.
The Mannen Study analyzed CPSC reports of 1,108 incidents related to inclined sleeping products from January 2005 to January 2019. Dr. Mannen conducted infant testing to evaluate the design of various products, measuring their muscle movements and oxygen saturation while in flat cribs, inclined cribs, and different inclined sleepers. She and her team found not a single product was safe for infant sleep, and only products with an incline of 10 degrees or less are likely safe for sleep.
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Instructions For Those Who Own The Product
Health Canada is advising those who own the sleeper to stop using it immediately for naptime and overnight sleep.
At present, Health Canada is not aware of any danger associated with the product when used for supervised playtime or soothing, the recall alert explains.
For further questions, Canadian consumers can contact Mattel or Health Canada directly.
This Story Is Part Of A Group Of Stories Called
The Fisher-Price Rock n Play has been one of the most popular baby products on the market since it came out in 2009. A reclining baby sleeper that rocks, vibrates, and plays music, it developed a cult following among sleep-deprived parents and has been the subject of thousands of glowing reviews.
But recently, the product has come under scrutiny for safety concerns. Its been linked to at least 32 infant deaths, and on April 12, Mattel, which owns Fisher-Price, announced it would recall all of its Rock n Plays. The company is advising that consumers should immediately stop using the product.
Infant fatalities have occurred in Rock n Play Sleepers, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, or under other circumstances, a joint warning from Fisher-Price and the Consumer Product Safety Commission reads.
Approximately 4.7 million products are now being recalled. The news is rattling the parenting community at a time when the baby market is booming.
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Concerns With The Rock N Play From The Get
Fisher-Price advertised the Rock n Play sleeper as a miracle product that could help exhausted parents grab some much-needed rest while their infants slept through the night thanks to the products soothing back-and-forth motions. With regard to the age range for the product, Fisher-Price, according to direct communications with consumers cited in the lawsuit, said the Rock n Play was to be used from birth until a child is able to grasp the side and pull upward or sit unassisted.
Some consumers, after performing their own research, questioned whether the Rock n Play was safe and approved for nighttime sleep. The lawsuit cites assurances from Mattel Consumer Services that the Rock n Play was in fact safe when used according to its instructions. The consumer uncertainty, the case posits, may have come from long-standing advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how infants should sleep. From the complaint:
In 2011, the AAP, the case continues, further expanded its infant sleep recommendations, noting that infants younger than four months are particularly at risk, because they might assume positions that can create risk of suffocation or airway obstruction.
Class Action Alleges Fisher
Fisher-Price, Mattel and Amazon are facing a proposed class action lawsuit filed by parents who allege their three-month-old daughter died just minutes after being placed in Fisher-Prices now-recalled Rock n Play Sleeper.
According to the 43-page case out of New York, Fisher-Price and parent company Mattel knew full well about the risks posed by the apparently defective product yet disregarded recommendations from the American Association of Pediatrics and went on to sell millions of units of the inclined infant sleeper insisting it was safe. Retailers such as Amazon, the case says, kept the product for sale despite prevalent safety concerns.
The Rock n Play Sleepers eventual April 2019 recall came too late for dozens of other children who have died after being placed in the product, the suit states.
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How Can I Tell If My Kolcraft Infant Sleeper Fits The Recall
The Kolcraft recall affects 51,000 inclined sleeper accessories sold nationwide at department stores and online retailers from March 2011 to December 2017.
To quickly determine if your Kolcraft bassinet might be subject to the recall, you can find the units model number on the metal bar between the bassinets legs.
The affected products were:
- Kolcraft Cuddle n Care 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleeper
- Kolcraft Preferred Position 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleeper
What Is The Rock N Play And Why Is It Dangerous
The Rock n Play is an infant sleeper product that first hit store shelves in the United States in October 2009. Touted by Fisher-Price as perfect for both sleep and playtime, the hammock-shaped product simulates a gentle rocking motion, has high sides and sits at an incline, the case explains, which causes an infant placed into the sleeper to also sit at an incline. An extra angle at the bottom pushes an infants legs upward, causing the child to lay in a semi-seated position, the suit depicts.
The problem with the product, the lawsuit stresses, is that its shape allows infants to move themselves into positions in which theyre unable to breathe against the Rock n Plays padded side surfaces. Additionally, the case goes on, the degree of the products incline can cause an infants head to pitch at such an angle that breathing can become impaired while at the same time presenting the risk of head and neck injuries.
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Shouting ‘into The Wind’
Since 2008, when Congress overhauled the nations product safety laws, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has been required to write federal safety rules for durable infant products things like cribs and highchairs.
These rules must be at least as stringent as the voluntary safety standards set by ASTM International formally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials an organization made up of manufacturers, consumer advocates and government officials.
But each new standard and rule can take years to pass, and products can still be sold in the interim.
So far, the commission has passed mandatory safety rules for 23 of 25 infant product categories. The only two left: baby gates and inclined sleepers.
Fisher-Price designed the Rock n Play in 2009 to fit under the ASTM standard for bassinets, according to court records. That standard was silent on angle. No one had made an inclined bassinet before.
Our product was tested to and met all the requirements, Mike Steinwachs said during a deposition about his role as a Fisher-Price quality engineer who worked on the Rock n Play and served on the ASTM committee that wrote the bassinet standard. Steinwachs, who retired from Fisher-Price last year, did not respond to a request for comment.
But limiting the angle could have banned the Rock n Play.
The restriction could even increase childrens risk of injury, as parents reach for substitutes, the letter said.
The agency agreed to allow a separate standard.
Baby Joy Rocking Bassinet
This portable crib is lightweight and folds up for easy storage. The portability of the Rock N Play was a huge benefit, so its nice to see other lightweight and portable options that are also safe for infant sleep.
The Baby Joy is also wider than many bassinets, so your baby can sleep it in longer than some other models.
Reviewers say it is soft, easy to clean, and ultra-portable. The one downfall for this one is that it requires manual rocking with your foot. No motor to automatically rock baby on its own.
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Fisher Price Rock With Me
Argulably the most similar product to the original Rock N Play this bassinet, also made by Fisher Price, is a portable bassinet that can be rocked manually using your foot.
It folds flat, so its easy to carry from room-to-room so you can keep an eye on baby or use it as a baby travel essential. Its also easy to set up and is a reasonable price point.
The bassinet is a flat surface, so its a safe sleep space for baby. The downfall of it is that it does require manual rocking.
How To Get Your Money Back
Contact the companies to request a refund or voucher:
- Delta Enterprise Corp.: Go to www.deltachildren.com and click on Recall Center or call 800-377-3777 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
- Dorel: Call 877-657-9546 or text 812-373-6673 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email or go to www.safety1st.com and click on “Safety Notices.”
- Evenflo: Go to www.evenflo.com and click on “Product Notices & Recalls” or call 1-800-233-5921 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
- Fisher-Price: Go to www.service.mattel.com and click on “Recalls & Safety Alerts” or toll-free at 866-812-6518 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
- Graco: Call 800-345-4109 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or go to www.gracobaby.com and click on “Recall Information.”
- Kids II: Call 866-869-7954 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or go to www.kids2.com and click on “Important Recall Information.”
- Summer Infant: Go to www.summerinfant.com and click on “Safety Alerts and Recall Information” or call 800-426-8627 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
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