Blumenthal & Schakowsky Urge CPSC to Protect Infants From Dangerous Loungers & Sleep Products

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) led a letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) calling for stronger rules to protect infants from dangerous loungers, infant pillows, and other sleeping products. The letter highlights the dangers of the Boppy Newborn Lounger, which was recalled in September 2021 and has been linked to ten infant deaths, and loungers manufactured by Leacho, Inc., which have been linked to two infant deaths. 

“The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended that babies sleep on firm, flat non-inclined surfaces, yet these loungers are an example of the unnecessary products that conflict with these recommendations and put lives at risk,” Blumenthal and Schakowsky wrote to CPSC Chair Alexander Hoehn-Saric. “While manufacturers might claim these products are not for infant sleep, their design and marketing often signal otherwise to parents and caregivers.” 

According to an NBC News report, at least 25 infants have died from these dangerous infant loungers since 2015. Blumenthal and Schakowsky applauded the CPSC for taking steps to prevent these tragedies – such as re-announcing the recall of the Boppy Newborn Lounger, condemning Facebook Marketplace for refusing the remove recalled products from their platform, and filing a lawsuit against Leacho, Inc. for refusing to voluntarily recall their loungers – but called on the agency to establish a rule protecting infants and families from these preventable tragedies.

“Dangerous infant loungers remain poorly regulated to date and as the CPSC takes action to regulate infant pillows, it is imperative that this rule include infant loungers,” the lawmakers wrote. “A strong rule that eliminates pillow-like loungers, and other similar products that invite parents to use them believing these products are safe for infant sleep, is essential.”

Blumenthal and Schakowsky have long fought to strengthen safety standards for infant sleep products. In February, the lawmakers led a group of Members of Congress in raising alarm over the effectiveness of recall efforts for the deadly Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper and probed Fisher-Price’s parent company, Mattel, about its actions to remove the inclined sleepers from the market after the product was linked to more infant deaths. In March 2022, Blumenthal and Schakowsky called on Facebook Marketplace to ensure deadly recalled products, such as the Fisher-Price Rock n’ Play Sleeper, are not listed and sold on the platform.

Text of the letter can be found here.

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