The following is an article about the recall of inclined baby sleepers. Baby-inclined sleepers were recalled due to being potentially dangerous and associated with 94 infant deaths.
An inclined sleeper allows the baby to sleep at an angle of 30 degrees. These products can cause infants to fall asleep with their chins to their chest, restricting their airways. They may also roll out of the devices and become trapped underneath them.
How many Inclined Baby Sleepers were recalled
The U.S. observed recalls of approximately 3,100 sleepers after infant deaths were linked to similar products.
This recall affects all inclined baby sleepers no matter what size or shape. The recall is due to a defect in the product which can lead to suffocation. All babies should be placed on their backs when they sleep for safety reasons, and should not sleep on any sort of inclined surface.
Why Inclined Baby Sleepers are dangerous?
Allowing your baby to sleep in an inclined position strictly contradicts the safety guidelines provided by respected and reputable organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics abbreviated for AAP.
A baby’s airway can become obstructed due to the angle created by an inclined baby sleeper. Their heads may slump forward with their chins touching their chests, making breathing difficult.
Also, babies may roll or shift, which can cause their faces to press against the padding, resulting in suffocation. This is especially concerning since very young babies have trouble moving their heads out of an unsafe position.
Sleepers who are very active can also be injured if they roll out of an inclined infant sleeper, either by falling from the sleeper or by being trapped underneath it if it tips over.
Top 9 Safety tips for Babies to Sleep
Place the crib in an area that is free of hazards
There are several safety tips that you should keep in mind when you’re putting your baby to sleep. One of the most important is to place the crib in an area that is free of hazards. Some common hazards to watch out for are sharp corners on furniture, loose wires, and anything that could potentially fall on the baby.
Keep the baby’s the sleeping area safe
When it comes to putting your baby to sleep, one of the most important things you can do is make sure that their sleeping area is safe. This means making sure there are no loose bedding, toys (even stuffed ones), or other objects that could be a choking hazard. You should also baby-proof the room so that no dangers are lurking that your child could potentially get hurt from.
Even after you childproof your house, there are still dangers that you need to be aware of when it comes to babies. The most common danger is keeping anything soft in the baby’s room, such as pillows or comforters, away from the crib so they don’t suffocate if they try to eat them while sleeping.
AAP guidelines on blankets
Safe sleep guidelines that have been issued by the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommend against using blankets in your baby’s crib. Babies should sleep alone in their cribs. Parents and siblings should not share a crib with the baby.
A baby’s crib also should not contain blankets, pillows, toys, or crib bumpers.
Always use fitted sheets
Make sure you use fitted sheets as these will prevent your baby from getting entangled in the loose fabric while sleeping.
Babies should sleep on their backs
Babies should sleep on their backs because it is the healthiest way to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) began recommending parents place their infants on their backs to sleep in 1992 because studies showed “SIDS” rates were much lower when the babies slept this way.
Babies should never be placed to sleep on their stomachs as this increases the risk of SIDS and suffocation for babies.
Placing a baby on its side increases the risk of them falling onto their stomach. Babies who are too young cannot support their heads and may have their faces stuck against the mattress, making it difficult to breathe. A baby can usually lift its head and fully support its head by 4 months of age.
Place the crib in an area that is free of hazards
There are a few safety tips that you should keep in mind when you’re putting your baby to sleep. One of the most important is to place the crib in an area that is free of hazards. Some common hazards to watch out for are sharp corners on furniture, loose wires, and anything that could potentially fall on the baby.
Keep the baby’s sleeping area “baby proof”
Even after you childproof your house, there are still dangers that you need to be aware of when it comes to babies. Keep anything soft in the baby’s room, such as pillows or comforters, soft toys, blankets, quilts, and other loose bedding away from the crib.
Make sure the bedding is safe
When it comes to putting your baby to sleep, one of the most important things you can do is make sure that their sleeping area is safe. This means making sure there are no loose bedding, toys (even stuffed ones), or other objects that could be a choking hazard. You should also baby-proof the room so that no dangers are lurking that your child could potentially get hurt from. Always use fitted sheets
Be aware of overheating
Parents need to be aware of overheating their babies while they’re sleeping. This means that you should dress the baby appropriately for the room temperature, and avoid letting them get sweaty or hot during sleep periods. Overheating is associated with increase in risk of SIDS for babies. The optimal temperature for babies to sleep in lies around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit, or 20-22 degrees Celsius
If you aren’t sure if your bedding is safe for your child to sleep with, make an appointment to talk with your pediatrician about it. They can also let you know when it’s appropriate for your baby to start sleeping differently.
We hope you found this article helpful, if you have questions about the article or have feedback for us, let us know in the comments below.
Sources:
- Why Inclined Infant Sleepers Are Unsafe for Your Little One
https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/inclined-baby-sleeper#danger
- Inclined Baby Sleepers and Other Baby Registry Items to Avoid
- Baby sleeping on side: Risks and changing positions
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/baby-sleeping-on-side#changing-positions
- When Can a Baby Sleep With Blankets?
https://www.webmd.com/baby/when-can-a-baby-sleep-with-blankets#1
- What Is the Ideal Room Temperature for a Sleeping Baby?
https://www.pampers.com/en-us/baby/sleep/article/baby-sleep-temperature
