Miya Pearson
Boppy pillows and newborn loungers are products that should only be used during awake time. The company behind these products has stressed that they are not to be used for infant sleep, as it may lead to serious injury or even death. In fact, there have been several reported instances of infant deaths linked to the improper use of these products. The primary concern is the risk of positional asphyxia, where a baby's airway can become blocked, leading to insufficient oxygen supply. Additionally, nursing pillows are not designed for long-term sleep and can cause developmental issues, discomfort, and choking hazards. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines set by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to ensure the safety of infants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safe for newborns to sleep in Boppy | No |
| Reason | To prevent positional asphyxia and keep the baby's airway open |
| Safe sleep surface | Alone, on their back, and on a firm, flat surface free of blankets, pillows, nursing pillows, and plush toys |
| Boppy products | Boppy nursing pillows and Boppy newborn loungers |
| Boppy products usage | Awake time only |
| Adult supervision | Always required |
| Misuse consequences | Serious injury or death |
| Safe sleep guidelines | AAP’s “ABCs of safe sleep” |
| Boppy Newborn Lounger recall | Voluntarily recalled in 2021 due to instances of misuse |
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What You'll Learn
Positional asphyxia
Boppy pillows and newborn loungers are products that should only be used during awake time. This is to prevent positional asphyxia, which can cause babies to suffocate. Positional asphyxia occurs when a baby's airway is blocked, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain and body. Babies lack the reflexes and muscle strength to move their heads and necks if they become stuck in a particular position.
The Boppy Company adheres to the guidelines set by The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and other organizations regarding safe sleep. According to these guidelines, babies should be placed on a firm sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress covered by a fitted sheet.
Nursing pillows are designed to support the baby's head and body during breastfeeding in a sitting position. However, when a baby is placed on a nursing pillow to sleep, their face can become buried in the soft cushioning, preventing them from breathing adequately. This can lead to suffocation, serious injury, or even death.
In 2021, the Boppy Newborn Lounger was voluntarily recalled due to instances of misuse. The recall followed a warning from the CPSC about the risks of using pillow-like products for sleeping infants. Seven infant deaths and one injury were linked to nursing pillows and infant loungers made by Boppy.
To ensure the safety of newborns, it is crucial to follow safe sleep practices. The AAP recommends that newborns sleep alone, on their back, and on a firm, flat surface free of blankets, pillows, nursing pillows, and plush toys.
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Suffocation
Boppy nursing pillows and newborn loungers are not designed for sleep and should only be used during awake time with adult supervision. The company has issued warnings and instructions for the safe use of its products, stating that they should not be used for infant sleep. Despite these measures, there have been instances of misuse, with some caregivers using Boppy products for sleep against the company's instructions and warnings. This improper use of Boppy products has been linked to several infant deaths, with seven recent infant deaths specifically tied to nursing pillows and infant loungers made by Boppy.
The primary risk associated with letting a baby sleep on a nursing pillow is suffocation. Nursing pillows are designed to support the baby's head and body during breastfeeding in a sitting position. However, when used for sleep, the baby's face can become buried in the soft cushioning, preventing them from breathing properly and taking in enough oxygen, which can lead to suffocation and even death. This risk is heightened when babies are left unattended on nursing pillows, as they can twist into a position where their airway is blocked, restricting their oxygen supply.
Additionally, sleeping on a nursing pillow increases the risk of choking. If the baby turns its head or gets too close to the edge of the pillow, its mouth and nose can become obstructed, posing a choking hazard. The baby may aspirate vomit, regurgitated milk, or foreign objects, leading to breathing difficulties and, in severe cases, death.
To prevent positional asphyxia and keep the baby's airway open, it is crucial to follow the safe sleep guidelines provided by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These guidelines recommend placing babies on their backs on a firm, flat surface, free of blankets, pillows, nursing pillows, and plush toys.
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Choking
Boppy pillows are widely used by new parents for breastfeeding and bottle-feeding support. However, they are not intended for unsupervised sleep or as a designated sleeping space for newborns. The soft, plush surface of the Boppy pillow can pose risks to babies when used incorrectly. Newborns, especially during their early weeks, are unable to move themselves out of unsafe positions, increasing the risk of suffocation or restricted airways.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly advises parents to follow safe sleep practices for newborns. This includes placing babies to sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface without any soft bedding, blankets, or pillows. The crib or bassinet should be free from stuffed animals or any other objects that could potentially obstruct the baby's breathing.
When a baby sleeps on their back, the air tube (trachea) is on top of the oesophagus (the tube that carries food). If a baby spits up while on their back, the food and fluid will run back down into the stomach and not into the lungs. On the other hand, if a baby sleeps on their tummy, vomit will pool at the opening of their trachea, making it more likely for them to choke.
It is important to note that the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is highest between 1-4 months, and drops again after six months. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that newborns sleep in a safe and supervised environment to reduce the risk of choking and other potential hazards.
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Developmental issues
Boppy pillows and newborn loungers are not recommended for newborn babies to sleep on due to the risk of developmental issues. Sleeping on a soft surface like a Boppy pillow may impact the development of a baby's skull shape, which may later affect their cognitive abilities. This is especially true when a baby spends prolonged periods sleeping on a nursing pillow, as it may cause them to develop a positional plagiocephaly condition.
Boppy nursing pillows are designed to support the baby's head and body during breastfeeding in a sitting position. However, when a baby is placed on a nursing pillow to sleep, their face can become buried in the soft cushioning, preventing them from taking in enough oxygen and leading to suffocation. This can cause serious injury or even death.
Additionally, babies lack the reflexes and muscle strength to move their heads and necks if they become stuck in a particular position. When left unattended on a nursing pillow, they can twist into a position where their airway is blocked, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain and body. This poses a choking hazard as the baby can aspirate vomit, regurgitated milk, or any foreign objects in their mouth or nose, leading to breathing difficulties and, in the worst cases, death.
Therefore, it is crucial to follow the safe sleep guidelines provided by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These guidelines recommend that babies sleep alone, on their back, and on a firm, flat surface free of blankets, pillows, nursing pillows, and plush toys.
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Discomfort
The Boppy Company has stated that its products are for "awake time only" and that infants should not be left unattended or unsupervised on their pillows or loungers. The company has also promoted the AAP's Safe Sleep guidelines, which recommend a safe place for babies to sleep: alone, on their back, and on a firm, flat surface free of blankets, pillows, nursing pillows, and plush toys.
The company's warning labels clearly state that using awake-time products for infant sleep can lead to suffocation, asphyxiation, or death. This is because nursing pillows are designed to support the baby's head and body during breastfeeding in a sitting position. However, when a baby is placed on a nursing pillow to sleep, their face can become buried in the soft cushioning, preventing them from taking in enough oxygen and leading to suffocation.
Additionally, babies lack the reflexes and muscle strength to move their heads and necks if they become stuck in a particular position. When left unattended on a nursing pillow, they can twist into a position where their airway is blocked, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain and body, and possibly resulting in suffocation. Sleeping on a nursing pillow also increases the risk of choking if the baby turns their head, gets too close to the edge of the pillow, or if their mouth and nose become obstructed.
Furthermore, sleeping on a soft surface may impact the development of a baby's skull shape, which may later affect their cognitive abilities. This is especially true when a baby spends prolonged periods sleeping on a nursing pillow, as it may cause them to develop positional plagiocephaly. Nursing pillows are not designed for long-term sleep or bed-sharing with a baby, and allowing babies to sleep on them for prolonged periods may cause discomfort, resulting in neck, back, and shoulder pain.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns should not sleep in a Boppy to prevent positional asphyxia, which will help keep the baby’s airway open at all times. Nursing pillows are designed to support the baby’s head and body during breastfeeding in a sitting position. However, when a baby is placed on a nursing pillow to sleep, their face can become buried in the soft cushioning, preventing them from taking in enough oxygen.
Positional asphyxia is a dangerous risk of letting your baby sleep on a nursing pillow. Babies lack the reflexes and muscle strength to move their heads and necks if they become stuck in a particular position. When left unattended, they can twist into a position where their airway is blocked, leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain and body, which can cause serious injury or even death.
Other dangers of letting a baby sleep on a Boppy include choking, developmental issues, and discomfort. Sleeping on a soft surface may impact the development of your baby’s skull shape, which may later affect their cognitive abilities.
The AAP recommends that newborns sleep alone, on their back, and on a firm, flat surface free of blankets, pillows, nursing pillows, and plush toys.
Boppy has always stressed that their products are for awake time only and should never be used for sleep. They have provided clear and unequivocal warnings and instructions for the safe use of their products.
