Massive Boopy Infant Lounger Recall Issued After 8 Infant Deaths Reported

More than three million Boppy infant loungers, sold by Walmart, Pottery Barn Kids, Target and Amazon, have been recalled following reports of multiple infant deaths.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the Boppy Original Newborn Loungers recall on September 23, indicating the agency is aware of at least eight babies that died after suffocating.

The deaths were reported from December 2015 and June 2022, involving infants who were placed on their backs, sides or stomachs on the lounger, and were found on their side or on their stomach. The loungers are designed for babies to lay on while being supervised, but if a baby is able to roll over on their own, it can lead to catastrophic consequences.

The recall affects all Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers. The loungers were sold in a variety of colors and are 23 inches long by 22 inches wide and seven inches deep.

The loungers were sold nationwide at stores including Pottery Barn Kids, Target and Walmart, as well as online at Amazon.com and online at Amazon and Boppy’s website, from January 2004 through 2021 for $30 to $44. An estimated 3.3 million were sold in the United States, and an additional 35,000 were sold in Canada.

The recall follows recent warnings about infant sleep products, and a number of similar recalls issued since at least 2019, when the CPSC recalled 4.7 million Rock’n Play Sleepers and similar sleepers, which were linked to at least 50 infant deaths.

Last year, the CPSC also issued a warning about the use of nursing pillows, after at least 28 infant deaths were linked to babies rolling off of the pillows or onto their belly, leaving their face trapped against the fabric.

The CPSC’s Acting Chairman, Robert Adler, called the deaths linked to the Boppy infant loungers “heartbreaking.”

“Loungers and pillow-like products are not safe for infant sleep, due to the risk of suffocation,” Adler said in the recall announcement. “Since we know that infants sleep so much of the time – even in products not intended for sleep – and since suffocation can happen so quickly, these Boppy lounger products are simply too risky to remain on the market.”

Last year, the CPSC proposed a rule that would ban all infant inclined sleepers and force manufacturers creating infant sleep-related products to conform to mandatory standards set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

“We are devastated to hear of these tragedies,” according to a spokesperson for Boppy quoted by the CPSC. “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.”

The CPSC is warning consumers to stop using the products immediately and to contact Boppy for a refund. The commission suggests the best place for a baby to sleep is on a flat, firm surface like a crib, bassinet, or play yard. The CPSC warns parent not to add blankets, pillows, or other padded, thick items in an infant’s sleeping area. The babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep.

Consumers with questions can contact Boppy at 800-416-1355, or through the company’s website at www.boppy.com and click “Recall & Safety Alert” for more information.