Baby Recliners Recalled – Linked To Five Infant Deaths

10309aSometimes I hear news of product recalls and I think, “Great. Another thing for us all to freak out about.” Parenting is hard enough without feeling like every product you buy for your children is potentially a death trap. This recall is struck me as legitimately alarming though, since there have been five reported deaths associated with this product since 2009.

The frustrating thing about this recall is that the first one was done in 2010. At that point, one infant had died and the company had received numerous reports of infants falling off the sides – some sustaining injuries. The recall that happened this week was part of a settlement with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Four more infants are dead. To be fair, it should be noted the company head maintains that all deaths occurred when the product was used against manufacturer’s recommendations for use – namely when it was set in a crib.

From Reuters:

Four infants have died in the Nap Nanny Generation Two recliners, and a fifth death involved the Chill model, the agency said.

The CPSC also received 92 reports of infants hanging or falling over the side of the recliners, including some children who were restrained in the product’s harness.

The agency urged consumers to stop using Nap Nanny and Nap Nanny Chill recliners. It said Baby Matters was no longer in business and was not accepting returns.

About 165,000 of the Nap Nanny and Chill products were sold between 2009 and 2012 for about $130 each.

They sell a potentially lethal-to-babies product for $130 a piece – and now they are no longer in business and not accepting returns – presumably due to a lengthy court battle and legal costs.  Baby Matters founder Leslie Gudel maintains that “No infant has ever suffered an injury requiring medical attention when the Nap Nanny has been used properly.” Amazon, Babies R Us, Diapers.com, and Buy Buy Baby announced a voluntary recall and will be taking back the products. If you bought a Nap Nanny from one of these retailers you can contact them about a refund. If you bought one from another retailer you are going to be out $130, but get rid of it anyway, as the “CPSC urges other consumers to immediately dispose of the products to ensure that they are not used again.”

(photo: CPSC)

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