The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to immediately recall the Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play after it has been tied to at least 32 sleep-related infant deaths.
A new analysis by Consumer Reports, published on April 8, has tied 32 infant deaths to the rocker.
AAP says the previous warning did not go far enough to ensure safety and protect infants. That warning asked parents to stop using the product when the infant reaches 3 months of age or is capable of rolling over.
The new Consumer Reports analysis concluded that the 32 deaths, which took place between 2011 and 2018, included babies that were less than 3-months old.
The cause of death listed for some of the babies was asphyxia, or the inability to breathe caused by the babies’ position.
“This product is deadly and should be recalled immediately,” said Kyle Yasuda, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “When parents purchase a product for their baby or child, many assume that if it’s being sold in a store, it must be safe to use. Tragically, that is not the case. There is convincing evidence that the Rock ‘n Play inclined sleeper puts infants’ lives at risk, and CPSC must step up and take immediate action to remove it from stores and prevent further tragedies.”
AAP is urging parents of children of all ages to stop using the product immediately. They say stores should remove the rocker from their shelves.
“We cannot put any more children’s lives at risk by keeping these dangerous products on the shelves,” said Rachel Moon, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Task Force on SIDS. “The Rock ‘n Play inclined sleeper should be removed from the market immediately. It does not meet the AAP’s recommendations for a safe sleep environment for any baby. Infants should always sleep on their back, on a separate, flat and firm sleep surface without any bumpers or bedding.”
