Boppy Newborn Loungers are pillow-like products that allow infants to sit comfortably at a slightly elevated angle rather than lying flat. Loungers may cause suffocation when used improperly. In September 2021, The Boppy Company recalled over three million loungers because eight babies died of suffocation.
Parents may use infant loungers such as the Boppy Newborn Lounger as a safe place to rest their babies if they need to take a break from holding the baby or if they need their hands free for other tasks. Babies may also lie in these loungers to engage in stimulating activities while awake, such as interacting with caregivers and toys.
Boppy Newborn Loungers resemble specially shaped cushions that cradle a baby without straps to secure them. These loungers have higher edges and an indent in the middle where the baby rests. The higher outer edges help prop the baby up so they aren’t lying flat.
According to The Boppy Company, these loungers aren’t designed for infants to nap or sleep in. If your baby falls asleep in a lounger, make sure to follow proper child safety recommendations and move them to a firm, flat surface for napping or sleeping. The lounger shouldn’t be used in a baby’s crib, play pen, bassinet or play yard.
In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping your baby’s dedicated sleeping area, such as their crib, free from blankets, pillows, soft toys and other objects that may increase suffocation risk.
Boppy Newborn Loungers and Boppy Nursing Pillows are similar, but they are made for different uses. For example, the Newborn Lounger has a gentler incline meant to cradle a baby while awake and sitting or resting.
In contrast, the Boppy Nursing Pillow or Boppy Pillow has a C-shaped design that supports babies better for nursing or bottle-feeding. It’s also designed for tummy time and sitting.
Similar to the Boppy Newborn Lounger, parents and caregivers shouldn’t let babies sleep in Boppy Pillows or Boppy Nursing Pillows.
The biggest risk of Boppy Loungers or Boppy Pillows is suffocation, also called positional asphyxia. Suffocation occurs when a baby’s head falls back or forward or they move into a position that obstructs their breathing while on the lounger or pillow. This risk affects many pillow-like products for babies, even car seats which should only be used for travel and not for feeding or sleeping, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission warns that loungers or nursing pillow products are not safe for sleep. In some cases, babies have suffocated and died while using loungers or pillows, including Boppy Loungers.
Do not use [the Boppy Pillow] in crib, cradle, bassinet, playpen, play yard. Not for use on a bed, either with the baby alone or with a caregiver who may fall asleep while feeding the baby.
CPSC has been investigating infant deaths connected to pillow-like products and has found that the deaths occurred when babies were left unattended, fell asleep, rolled off or rolled over while on loungers and nursing pillows. Parents or caregivers shouldn’t prop infants up too high on Boppy Pillows or let them curl up in the center of the pillow area.
The Boppy Newborn Lounger is connected to at least eight deaths from suffocation, according to The Boppy Company.
In September 2021, The Boppy Company recalled about 3.3 million Boppy Newborn Loungers because eight babies died from suffocation. The majority of the recalled Boppy Newborn Loungers were sold in the U.S. and about 35,000 were distributed in Canada.
“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,” according to the CPSC recall announcement.
Consumers bought the recalled loungers between January 2004 and September 2021 from retailers online and nationwide, including Amazon.com, Target, Pottery Barn Kids and Walmart. Refunds may take between six to eight weeks to process.
After the recall, parents whose children were injured or killed after using a recalled lounger began filing Boppy Newborn Lounger lawsuits against The Boppy Company.
If you bought a recalled Boppy Newborn Lounger, The Boppy Company recommends that you stop using the recalled products and contact the company for a refund at 800-416-1355 or online at www.boppy.com.
In order to obtain a refund, customers should have the UPC or Item Number and Date Code handy when contacting Boppy. You can find the UPC/Item Number on the front of the care label attached to the Boppy Newborn Lounger. The Date Code is a five-digit number printed on the second label.
If you own a Boppy Nursing Pillow or other brand of newborn lounger, make sure to follow healthy infant sleep guidelines. These include making sure your baby is not sleeping in the lounger or pillow. Make sure you look into babyproofing their sleeping area and your home to keep your baby safe.
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