Colin Snow
Baby loungers are pillows with a groove in the middle that supports babies in an inclined position. They are designed to keep babies comfortable and in place without the need for straps or seat belts. While baby loungers can be useful for breastfeeding and keeping babies in one place, they are not suitable or safe for sleep. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned consumers to stop using baby loungers immediately due to the risk of suffocation and fall hazards. Between 2012 and 2018, Consumer Reports found 28 infant deaths linked to nursing pillows or baby loungers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Baby loungers are not considered safe for sleeping due to the risk of suffocation and falling hazards. |
| Usage | Baby loungers are designed for babies to play, interact, and feed in a comfortable position. |
| Supervision | Constant supervision is required when using a baby lounger to ensure the baby's airways are open and unobstructed. |
| Sleep Space | The recommended sleep space for infants is a firm, flat surface, such as a crib, bassinet, or play yard, without any soft objects or bedding. |
| Recall | Some baby lounger products have been recalled due to safety concerns and non-compliance with federal regulations. |
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What You'll Learn
Baby loungers are not safe for newborn sleep
The CPSC reported that between January 2019 and December 2020, there were 254 incidents, including 21 fatalities, related to infant loungers and other flat or inclined baby sleep products. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) sleep guidelines stress that a baby's sleep space should be firm and free of bedding and other soft objects. Baby loungers are soft cushions, which means they are not suitable for sleep. Babies who fall asleep in soft infant loungers can roll onto their tummies or sides, increasing the chance of suffocation. Additionally, a restraining belt could slide up and cut off the baby's airflow.
Some parents find baby loungers helpful during breastfeeding, as they allow the baby to be in a comfortable position to feed. However, it is important to correctly position the baby's head and neck so that their airways remain free and clear. If a baby falls asleep while nursing in a lounger, they should be moved to a flat surface, such as a crib or bassinet, instead of being allowed to continue sleeping in the lounger.
Baby loungers have been linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is the quick and unexplained death of an infant less than one year old. It often occurs during sleep and is the leading cause of death for infants in this age range. To ensure your baby's safety, it is recommended to use a playpen or bassinet instead of a baby lounger for sleep.
While baby loungers can be a helpful tool for parents when their baby is awake, they should never be used for sleep due to the serious safety risks they pose.
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The risks of sleeping on a lounger for newborns
Baby loungers are designed to keep your baby in place and comfortable without the need for straps or a seatbelt. They are meant to be used when your baby is awake and alert, and can be especially useful when breastfeeding. However, it is important to note that they are not suitable or safe for sleep.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a warning to consumers to immediately stop using baby loungers due to the risk of suffocation and fall hazards. Baby loungers violate federal safety regulations for infant sleep products as they do not have a stand, creating an unsafe sleeping environment. The CPSC urges consumers to stop using these products and to dispose of them properly by unzipping and disassembling them, then cutting up the lounger cover, sleeping pad, and side bumpers.
The consequences of letting a baby sleep in a baby lounger can be dire. Between January 2019 and December 2020, there were 254 incidents, including 21 fatalities, related to infant loungers and other flat or inclined baby sleep products. Baby loungers are soft cushions that can cause babies to roll onto their tummies or sides, increasing the chance of suffocation. A restraining belt could also slide up and cut off the baby's airflow. In addition, babies can turn their heads and lean their faces into the soft surface, blocking their airways and leading to suffocation.
To ensure your baby's safety, it is recommended to always place them on their back on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet, or play yard. The sleep space should be free of bedding, blankets, pillows, and other soft objects. If you have a baby lounger, look up the brand and model to see if it has been recalled, and consider returning it for a refund.
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Safe alternatives to baby loungers
Baby loungers are designed to keep your baby in place and comfortable without the need for straps or a seatbelt. They can be useful when breastfeeding or when you need to set your baby down somewhere safe while they are awake. However, they are not suitable or safe for sleep. The soft cushions have been linked to incidents of infant suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Playpens
If you need to put your baby down while you are multitasking, a playpen can be a safer option than a baby lounger. Make sure the playpen is free of blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers, and other soft objects.
Cribs or Bassinets
The best place for an infant to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib or bassinet. If your baby falls asleep in a baby lounger, move them to a crib or bassinet. You can also use a bassinet with wheels to move your baby around the house.
Receiving Blankets
If you have a newborn, you can swaddle them in a receiving blanket for sleep. Make sure to use a fitted sheet and place your baby on their back.
Play Yards
A play yard with a firm, flat surface is another safe alternative to a baby lounger for sleep. Again, make sure the play yard is free of blankets, pillows, and other soft objects.
Baby Swings or Seats
You can use a baby swing or seat when your baby is awake so you can have your hands free to do other tasks. If your baby falls asleep, be sure to move them to a safe sleep environment like a crib or bassinet.
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Baby lounger safety guidelines
Baby loungers are designed to keep your baby in place and comfortable without the need for straps or a seatbelt. They are meant to be used when your baby is awake and you need to set them down somewhere safe while you keep an eye on them. They can also be useful during breastfeeding.
However, baby loungers are not suitable or safe for sleep. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned consumers to immediately stop using baby loungers due to the risk of suffocation and fall hazards. The CPSC urges consumers to stop using the loungers immediately and dispose of the pieces in the trash or through textile recycling.
- Never use a baby lounger as a sleeping device. If your baby falls asleep in the lounger, move them to a safe sleep environment with a firm, flat surface such as a crib, bassinet, or play yard.
- Always use the lounger under constant supervision while your baby is alert and awake. This helps ensure that your baby's airways are always open.
- Correctly position your baby's head and neck in the lounger to keep their airways free and clear.
- Do not add blankets, pillows, or soft toys to the lounger as they pose a suffocation risk.
- Do not place the lounger on high, elevated, or uneven surfaces.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions and warnings for the specific lounger you are using.
Remember, the best place for an infant to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet, or play yard, using a fitted sheet only. Infants should always be placed on their back to sleep.
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Baby lounger recalls
Baby loungers are soft, portable surfaces designed to keep a baby in place and comfortable. They are meant to be used when the baby is awake and should never be used for sleep. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is clear that baby loungers do not make for a safe sleeping environment.
Despite this, baby loungers have been linked to several infant deaths. In 2024, the CPSC warned against using the DHZJM baby lounger due to the risk of suffocation, entrapment, and falls. The loungers were found to violate federal safety regulations for infant sleep products, and an infant death was reported in 2020.
The Boppy Company has also recalled millions of its newborn loungers after they were linked to infant deaths. The padded, pillowy Boppy Newborn Lounger was recalled in 2021 after eight reports of infant deaths due to suffocation. The company emphasized that its products are not marketed as infant sleep products and are intended for use only when babies are awake and under supervision.
In 2022, the CPSC issued a warning about the DockATot Deluxe+ lounger, which the company has since discontinued. The CPSC also warned against using nursing pillows for sleep, as they have been tied to reports of infant deaths.
Baby loungers should only be used when babies are awake and under constant supervision. If a baby falls asleep in a lounger, they should be moved to a safe sleep space, such as a crib or bassinet.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not safe for a newborn to sleep in a lounger. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has warned consumers to stop using baby loungers immediately due to the risk of suffocation and fall hazards. The CPSC urges consumers to dispose of the loungers by unzipping and disassembling them, then cutting them into pieces and throwing them away.
Baby loungers are soft cushions that can cause babies to roll onto their tummies or sides, increasing the risk of suffocation. The restraining belt could also slide up and cut off the baby's airflow. In addition, loungers lack a stand, creating an unstable sleeping environment.
Yes, the CPSC recommends that infants sleep on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet, or play yard. A fitted sheet should be used, and no blankets, pillows, or other soft objects should be in the infant's sleeping environment.
Yes, baby loungers can be used while your newborn is awake and supervised. However, it is important to never leave your baby unsupervised in a lounger and to always move them to a safe sleep environment if they fall asleep.
