Agency warns consumers to stop using baby loungers following two infant deaths due to suffocation

After reports of two infant deaths, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning consumers to immediately stop using the Podster, Podster Plush, Bummzie, and Podster Playtime (the Podsters) infant loungers manufactured by Leachco Inc.

Thursday’s warning comes several months after a different brand of infant loungers was recalled.

The CPSC will continue to investigate the Podsters as Leachco is refusing to conduct a voluntary recall of the product, the agency said in a statement.

The CPSC is aware of two infants who were placed on a Podster and suffocated when, due to a change in position, their noses and mouths were obstructed by the Podster or another object.

The infants, 17-days old and four-months old, died in January 2018 and December 2015 in the United States.

The Podsters measure between 71 and 75 inches in circumference and have dimensions of about 23.75 x 21.5 x 8 inches.

They have a padded insert and a removable cover. The covers come in a variety of prints and are either 100 percent polyester or a cotton/polyester blend. The covers also contain an elastic center made of a nylon/spandex blend.

About 180,000 Podsters have been sold.

Infant loungers like Podsters aren’t safe for sleep, the CPSC said.

The agency’s recommendation for sleeping infants is:

Babies should always be placed to sleep on their back. Babies who fall asleep in an inclined or upright position should be moved to a safe sleep environment. To follow safe sleep practices, parents and caregivers should use a fitted sheet only and never add blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers, or other items to an infant’s sleeping environment. 

The CPSC said it intends to consider other actions against Leachco, including filing a lawsuit to protect consumers.

Consumers can report incidents from Podsters or other similar products to saferproducts.gov.