The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fisher-Price warn consumers that rockers should not be used to sleep for your child.
The particular rockers involved in the the warning are Fisher-Price’s Infant-to-Toddler and Newborn-to-Toddler Rockers. Sadly, these rockers have been linked to at least 13 infant deaths from 2009 to 2021.
While these rockers have not yet been recalled, the warning reminds parents of the rockers (as well as swings and bouncers) should never be used as a sleeping area due to the risk of suffocation. Instead, rockers can be useful spaces for your baby to stay when you need hands-free. Babies should always be carefully handled and restrained while in rockers, and moved to a safe sleeping area if he falls asleep.
Inclined products such as rockers, swings and soothers are dangerous sleep set-ups for babies, as they can fall asleep in a position that restricts their airways or roll out of the devices and get trapped, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
The rule will take effect on June 23, at which point, all products that do not meet this rule will be recalled. As a reminder, since Fisher-Price’s Infant-to-Toddler and Newborn-to-Toddler Rockers are not intended for sleeping, they will not be recalled at this time.
So what does this mean for parents?
While you can still use your rocker, make sure you do it when your baby is awake — never as a place to snooze. Remember to always monitor and buckle your child while you’re using the rocker as well, and move your baby to a safe sleeping area if he falls asleep.
As a reminder, when it comes to safe sleep:
- Babies should always be put to sleep on their backs (whether for naps or at night) until their first birthday.
- The best place for your baby to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or playpen. Use only fitted sheets, and do not add blankets, pillows or padded crib bumpers.
If you specifically own an Infant-to-Toddler or Newborn-to-Toddler Rocker, you can also watch safety videos from Fisher-Price on its websiteand get tips and additional safety information.
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