UK safety alert issued over baby sleep pillows after child deaths
A national safety alert has been issued warning parents not to use so-called “baby sleep pillows” after the products were linked to child fatalities in the UK and overseas.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) said the pillows, also sold as baby comfort cushions, cuddle cushions, sleep pillows and similar names, pose a serious risk of suffocation and overheating if a baby is placed on them unsupervised or for sleep.
Parents and carers are being urged not to use the products for babies under 12 months and not to place them in a cot or crib.
Anyone who bought a pillow marketed for baby sleep or unattended use is advised to contact the retailer as they may be entitled to redress under consumer law.
OPSS says the soft, padded design allows a baby’s face to sink into the material, blocking their nose and mouth.
The pillows can also trap heat, increasing the risk of overheating and raising the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
The regulator stressed that the products promote unsafe sleep practices that contradict NHS guidance, which recommends placing babies on their backs on a firm, flat surface with no soft bedding or pillows.
Businesses have been told to remove unsafe baby sleep pillows from sale, stop marketing any cushion as suitable for baby sleep, and include clear warnings where there is a risk of misuse. Trading Standards officers have been asked to contact local retailers selling the items.
The alert does not apply to breastfeeding support pillows, compliant cot mattresses or pillows designed for children over 12 months.
Parents and carers are advised to continue following NHS safe sleep guidance, including checking for signs of overheating such as sweating or a baby feeling hot on their tummy.
‘Baby Sleep Pillow’ is a generic term used in this Product Safety Alert. However, other common names for these products include, but are not limited to:
- Baby Anti-stress Cushion
- Baby Comfort Cushion
- Baby Cuddle Cushion
- Baby Hug Pillow
- Baby Pillow
- Sleeping Pillow
- Stuffed Pillow
- Baby Sleep Cushion
- Exhaust Pillow
OPSS News Story: Safety Alert issued for Baby Sleep Pillows
NHS Guidance on Safer Sleep for Babies: NHS safe-sleep-advice-for-babies
NHS Guidance on Reducing the risk of SIDS: Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – NHS
NHS Guidance on Baby and Toddler Safety: Baby and toddler safety – NHS
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