A leading watchdog has urged parents to avoid using infant sleep positioners.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the States, issued an official warning this week amid fears that babies placed in these sleep positioners could suffocate.
“FDA is reminding parents and caregivers not to put babies in sleep positioners,” a statement read.
“These products – sometimes also called ‘nests’ or ‘anti-roll’ products – can cause suffocation (a struggle to breathe) that can lead to death.”
They stated that, each year, about 4,000 infants die unexpectedly during sleep time from accidental suffocation, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), or unknown causes.
While sleep positioners are designed to help babies sleep safely, this latest announcement has turned the concept on its head.
The warning follows a string of serious complaints to health and safety watchdogs.
“The federal government has received reports about babies who have died from suffocation associated with their sleep positioners,” the statement added.
“In most of these cases, the babies suffocated after rolling from their sides to their stomachs.
“In addition to reports about deaths, the federal government also has received reports about babies who were placed on their backs or sides in positioners, but were later found in other, dangerous positions within or next to these products.”
The FDA went on to reiterate best practice for putting babies to sleep, as advised by the American Academy of Paediatrics.
Under these guidelines, parents are advised to put infants to sleep on their backs, on a firm and empty surface, free of soft objects, toys, pillows or loose bedding.
Following the announcement, a number of retailers have pulled infant sleep positioners from their shelves.
Do you use an infant sleep positioner with your little one?
