Ashwin Lewis
Inclined sleepers for babies have been linked to hundreds of infant deaths and are considered dangerous by reputable medical and scientific organizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Lullaby Trust recommend that babies sleep on a hard, flat surface, and that soft surfaces and items in the crib increase the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has banned the sale of inclined sleepers for infants, but they are still available on the second-hand market. So, should your newborn sleep on an incline?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Inclined sleepers have been linked to infant deaths and are considered hazardous products by the Consumer Product Safety Act. |
| Medical opinion | Reputable medical and scientific organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), warn against the use of inclined sleepers. |
| Effectiveness | Inclined sleepers do not help with reflux or colic and increase the risk of suffocation. |
| Regulation | The sale of inclined sleepers for infants is banned in the US as per the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021. |
| Alternatives | A flat, firm, and level surface, such as a crib with a fitted sheet, is the safest option for newborns to sleep on. |
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What You'll Learn
- Inclined sleepers have been linked to hundreds of infant deaths
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on a hard, flat surface
- Inclined sleepers can obstruct a baby's airway
- Babies should sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months
- Soft surfaces increase the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths
Inclined sleepers have been linked to hundreds of infant deaths
The CPSC's investigation in 2019 revealed that inclined sleepers, such as the Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play and similar models, posed a significant risk to infants. Despite the product recalls in 2019 and 2023, inclined sleepers are still being circulated in the second-hand market and handed down among parents. This has resulted in a ban on the sale, manufacture, distribution, and importation of inclined sleepers in the United States as of November 12, 2022, under the Safe Sleep for Babies Act.
The dangers of inclined sleepers lie in their design, which often features an inclined sleep surface of greater than 10 degrees. This incline can cause infants to slide down, ending up in an unsafe sleep position. Additionally, soft sleep surfaces and items in the baby's sleep area, such as blankets, pillows, and crib bumpers, can increase the risk of suffocation and SIDS.
To ensure a safe sleep environment for newborns, it is recommended to use a firm, flat, and level sleep surface, such as a crib with a fitted sheet. It is important to avoid inclined sleepers, soft surfaces, and items that can pose a suffocation hazard. By providing a safe sleep area, parents can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths for their babies.
It is important to note that while inclined sleepers might seem appealing, especially for babies with colic or acid reflux, they are not effective in managing these conditions. Instead, it is recommended to hold the baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding or to seek help from a partner or family member.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on a hard, flat surface
Inclined sleepers for babies have been linked to several infant deaths. In 2022, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned consumers about 13 infant deaths in Fisher-Price sleepers. Following this, the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021 was passed, banning crib bumpers and inclined sleepers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on a hard, flat surface. This is because inclined sleepers can obstruct a baby's airway and increase the risk of choking or aspiration. The AAP guidelines also recommend that infants sleep on their backs for all sleep times—for naps and at night. This is because sleeping on their stomachs or sides can increase the risk of rebreathing expired gases, potentially leading to hypoxia and hypercapnia, as well as overheating.
A firm surface maintains its shape and will not indent or conform to the shape of the infant’s head when placed on it. Soft mattresses, including memory foam, can create an indentation that increases the chance of rebreathing or suffocation if the infant rolls over to the prone position. Additionally, babies who sleep on an incline are more likely to slide down and roll onto their sides or stomachs.
The AAP also recommends room-sharing with parents for the first six months, or ideally, the first year. This can be done by placing the baby's crib, bassinet, or play yard in the parents' bedroom, close to their bed. It is important to note that the baby should not sleep in the same bed as the parents due to the risk of suffocation or strangulation.
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Inclined sleepers can obstruct a baby's airway
Inclined sleepers have been linked to hundreds of infant deaths and are considered dangerous for babies. They are not conducive to oxygen flow and can obstruct a baby's airway.
Babies have large, heavy heads and underdeveloped neck muscles. When placed in an inclined sleeper, their heads tend to fall forward into a chin-to-chest position, which can obstruct their airways and make breathing difficult. This positioning can increase the risk of suffocation as the airway becomes compressed. The incline also makes it harder for infants to lift their heads, further increasing the likelihood of suffocation.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have both warned against the use of inclined sleepers, stating that they go directly against all supported messaging from reputable medical and scientific organizations. The AAP has even referred to inclined sleepers as "deadly". The FDA has specifically recommended that parents and caregivers must not put babies in sleep positioners, including inclined baby sleepers, due to the risk of suffocation.
Studies have found that any angle above 10 degrees is too steep for infants, and an incline of more than 10 degrees increases the risk of infant injury. As a result, legislation has been passed to ban the manufacture and sale of inclined sleepers with a slope of more than 10 degrees. Despite these efforts, inclined sleepers are still being handed down among parents or sold second-hand, which can be confusing and misleading for new parents.
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Babies should sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months
Inclined sleepers for babies have been linked to hundreds of infant deaths and are considered dangerous by reputable medical and scientific organizations. They are banned in the US as hazardous products under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Inclined sleepers do not help with reflux and increase the risk of suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on a hard, flat surface.
It is recommended that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months. This is the safest option for babies, as it reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related deaths, such as accidental suffocation. Research has shown that babies who usually sleep on their backs but sometimes on their fronts or sides have a higher risk of SIDS.
Babies should sleep on a flat, firm, and waterproof mattress in a safety-approved crib next to the adult bed. The crib should be free from soft items such as comforters, baby bumpers, blankets, and toys that could obstruct the baby's airway.
Room-sharing makes feeding, comforting, and monitoring the baby easier. It allows parents to check on the baby without getting out of bed and makes breastfeeding more convenient. If parents fall asleep while feeding or comforting the baby in their bed, they should move the baby back to their own sleep area as soon as they wake up.
Parents should also be mindful of their tiredness before bringing the baby into their bed and remove all items and bedding from their side of the bed to reduce the risk of suffocation and strangulation. Additionally, babies should not sleep on adult beds, couches, or armchairs by themselves, with others, or with pets. Couches and armchairs are particularly dangerous when an adult falls asleep on them while holding the baby.
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Soft surfaces increase the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths
It is not recommended that newborns sleep on an incline. Sleeping on an incline can be dangerous for babies and increases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths. Soft surfaces, such as inclined sleep products, increase this risk.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep on a flat, firm surface without any soft bedding, pillows, or toys in the crib. This recommendation is based on
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Frequently asked questions
No, newborns should not sleep on an incline. Inclined sleepers have been linked to hundreds of infant deaths and increase the risk of suffocation. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has banned the sale of inclined sleepers for infants. The safest way to put your baby to sleep is on their back, on a flat, firm, and waterproof mattress.
No, there are no benefits to letting your newborn sleep on an incline. Sleeping on an incline does not help with reflux or colic and can cause your infant to slide into an unsafe sleep position.
If your baby has reflux or any other ongoing health condition, speak to your doctor about the best care for them.
