3.3 million Boppy infant cushions are being recalled after 8 deaths

Following reports of eight infant deaths associated with the Boppy Company’s lounger cushions, 3.3 million of the loungers are being recalled.

The infants suffocated after being placed on their back, side, or stomach on the lounger and were found on their side or on their stomach, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

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 a surface, such as an adult pillow or soft bedding, that obstructs breathing, the federal safety regulator said. 

The infant deaths occurred between December 2015 and June 2020.

All models of the infant lounger are being recalled.

“These types of incidents are heartbreaking,” said Robert S. Adler, acting chairman of the CPSC. “Loungers and pillow-like products are not safe for infant sleep, due to the risk of suffocation.”

Since infants sleep much of the time – even in products not intended for sleep – and since suffocation can happen so quickly, these Boppy lounger products are too risky to remain on the market, Adler said.

“We are devastated to hear of these tragedies,” a Boppy spokesperson said in a statement. “Boppy is committed to doing everything possible to safeguard babies, including communicating the safe use of our products to parents and caregivers, and educating the public about the importance of following all warnings and instructions and the risks associated with unsafe sleep practices for infants. The lounger was not marketed as an infant sleep product and includes warnings against unsupervised use.”

This recall involves all Boppy newborn loungers. The loungers were sold in a variety of colors and styles and measure about 23 inches long by 22 inches wide and 7 inches high.

The recalled loungers were sold at juvenile product stores and mass merchandisers nationwide and online, including Pottery Barn Kids, Target, and Walmart and online at Amazon.com.

The loungers were sold from January 2004 through September 2021 for between $30 and $44. Boppy also distributed about 35,000 in Canada.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled loungers and contact The Boppy Company for a refund, the CPSC and the company advise.

For more information, contact The Boppy Company at 800-416-1355 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit www.boppy.com and click “Recall & Safety Alert.”

In a reminder, the CPSC said:

The best place for a baby to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet, or play yard. Parents and caregivers should never add blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers, or other items to an infant’s sleeping environment. Babies should always be placed to sleep on their backs.