Nursing Pillow Suffocation Risk and Product Recalls
The short answer
Multiple nursing pillows and infant lounging products have been recalled after being linked to infant suffocation deaths. The most notable recall was the Boppy Company's Newborn Lounger in 2021, linked to at least 8 infant deaths. These products were never intended for sleep but were frequently used that way. In 2022, the CPSC issued a final rule requiring that all infant sleep products meet federal safety standards for cribs. If you own a recalled product, stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund. The safest sleep surface for a baby is always a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
0-4 months
Young babies are at the highest risk because they lack the strength and coordination to reposition themselves if their face becomes pressed against soft fabric. Products that have been recalled or associated with infant deaths include: Boppy Newborn Lounger (recalled 2021), Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper (recalled 2019, linked to over 100 deaths), Kids2 rocking sleepers (recalled 2019), and various inclined sleepers. Check the CPSC website (cpsc.gov) to see if any of your baby products have been recalled. Never use a product that has been recalled, even with supervision.
4-8 months
As babies become more mobile, the risk profile changes but does not decrease. A baby who can roll may roll off a pillow or become wedged against the side. Some recalled products, like the Rock 'n Play, were popular because babies seemed to sleep well in them, which led to continued use despite recall notices. The incline of these products was found to increase the risk of positional asphyxia (where the baby's airway is blocked by the position of their head and neck). If you have a recalled product, stop using it regardless of how well your baby sleeps in it. The CPSC maintains a list of alternatives.
8-12 months
While some parents transition away from loungers and nursing pillows by this age, the products may still be in the home and accessible. Ensure recalled products are destroyed or returned to the manufacturer so they cannot be accidentally used by another caregiver or found by the mobile baby. Register new baby products with the manufacturer so you will be notified directly in case of a recall. The CPSC's recall website and app allow you to search for recalled products and sign up for alerts. Share recall information with grandparents, babysitters, and other caregivers.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- You have checked your baby products against the CPSC recall list and none are recalled.
- You use nursing pillows only for supervised feeding and never for sleep.
- Your baby sleeps on a firm, flat surface with no soft bedding or pillows.
- You are unsure whether a baby product you own has been recalled and want help checking.
- You are struggling to transition your baby to a safe sleep surface after using a lounger or inclined sleeper.
- You want to discuss safe sleep guidelines and approved sleep products.
- You realize your baby has been sleeping on a recalled product - stop use immediately and contact the manufacturer.
- You find your baby in a dangerous sleep position on a lounger, pillow, or inclined surface - move them to a safe surface immediately.
- Your baby shows signs of breathing difficulty or appears to have been in a compromised position on any sleep surface.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Sleep Concerns
Nursing Pillows and Sleep Environment Dangers
Nursing pillows are designed exclusively for feeding support and should never be used for sleep. The CPSC has documented at least 162 infant deaths associated with nursing pillows and similar lounging products between 2007 and 2022. When a baby falls asleep on a nursing pillow, the curved shape can cause the baby's chin to drop to their chest (positional asphyxia), or the baby can roll into the soft fabric and suffocate. Nursing pillows should be removed from the sleep area and never placed in a crib, bassinet, or any surface where a baby might sleep.
My Baby Rolls Face Down in Sleep
Once your baby can roll from back to tummy and tummy to back independently, it's safe to let them find their preferred sleep position, even if it's face down. Always place your baby on their back to start sleep, but if they roll over on their own, you don't need to keep repositioning them.
My Baby Only Sleeps When Being Held
It is completely normal and biologically expected for babies, especially newborns, to prefer sleeping while being held. Babies are born with a strong instinct to stay close to their caregiver for warmth, comfort, and safety. While this is not a problem to "fix," most families eventually need their baby to sleep independently, and gentle, gradual transitions can help when you are ready.
How Long Should Baby Be Awake Between Naps?
The ideal awake time between naps (called a "wake window") increases as your baby grows. Newborns may only handle 45-90 minutes awake, while toddlers can manage 4-6 hours. Getting wake windows right is one of the most effective ways to improve nap quality, because both too-short and too-long wake times lead to poor sleep.
Is a Bath Before Bed Really Necessary?
A nightly bath is not medically necessary and some babies with sensitive skin do better with less frequent bathing. However, a warm bath can be a powerful sleep cue because the subsequent body temperature drop triggers melatonin production. If you include a bath, keep it calm and warm rather than stimulating.
How Long Should the Bedtime Routine Be?
An ideal bedtime routine for babies and toddlers is 20-30 minutes. Shorter routines may not give enough time to wind down, while routines longer than 45 minutes can become a stalling tactic. Consistency in the routine order matters more than exact length.