Fisher Price Rock n Play

The Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper is a baby sleeper designed to let infants sleep on their backs at an angle, around 30 degrees. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns against using such products. They argue that inclined sleepers, like the Rock n Play, can be dangerous, leading to accidental suffocation if babies are left in them for extended periods of time, such as overnight. 

Due to the danger they pose, more than 5.4 million of these infant sleep products were recalled after they were tragically linked to multiple infant deaths.

All About the Fisher Price Rock n Play

Fisher Price’s Rock n Play is a baby sleep product designed to position infants at an angle. However, this setup has proven to be dangerous, leading to suffocation risks, product recalls, warnings from the FDA, and even the introduction of new legislation.

In response to the alarming reports of infant death and injuries related to these sleepers, lawmakers drafted the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021, which President Biden signed into law in May 2022. This law prohibits the production and selling of any inclined sleeper product, including the Rock n Play.

In April 2019, Fisher Price made an initial recall of 4.7 million Rock n Play Sleepers, following over 30 reported infant fatalities. The 2019 recall covered every model of the Rock n Play, a product that had been advertised for night-time sleep despite not following the safe sleep guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Unfortunately, the danger persisted. At the beginning of 2023, Fisher Price announced a re-recall after 70 additional deaths were connected to the Rock n Play, with eight of these fatalities occurring after the original recall.

Some parents had turned to the Rock n Play, with its hammock-like design, to help babies suffering from reflux. However, the inclined design posed a danger, as babies could roll in their sleep or their head could slump forward, leading to smothering or airway obstruction. 

A couple weeks following the Fisher Price recall, another company named Kids II issued a recall for 694,000 of their own rocking sleepers, which were sold at major retailers like Walmart and Target. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 5 infants died in the Kids2 Rocking Sleeper.

Both recalls followed an investigation by Consumer Reports that cast doubt on the safety of these popular sleepers. In summer of 2019, the publication released an article that said the number of deaths associated with inclined baby sleepers had risen to 50. Later that month, Fisher Price issued a recall for an inclined sleeper that was sold with its Ultra-Lite Day and Night Play Yard due to the deaths involving other inclined sleepers.

The Dangers of Using an Inclined Baby Sleeper 

The AAP recommends that parents put their babies flat on their back. Their sleep area should be on a firm surface. They do not endorse inclined sleep products like the Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper. They also caution that products like strollers and car seats, which confine babies, can be dangerous. If a baby rolls into a dangerous position, they could suffocate or inadvertently strangle themselves. 

This was tragically the case for a two-month-old who was put to sleep in a Rock n Play Sleeper in 2013. As per Consumer Reports, the infant seemed fine when her mom looked in on her at 4 a.m., but by 7 a.m. she was no longer breathing. Her head had drooped to one side, blocking the baby’s airway. She died from suffocation—a condition known as positional asphyxia. The parents have since filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Fisher Price in Texas.

In December 2017, Evan and Keenan Overton faced a similar devastating incident when they found that their five-month-old son was not responsive in his Rock n Play Sleeper. Keenan described the baby as “face down with his nose squished into the back of the seat,” and completely limp when picked up. Unfortunately, the baby had already passed. 

Studies show that infant fatality in sleepers and other baby-carrying products can happen swiftly. The Journal of Pediatrics reviewed 47 such fatalities in 2005, and discovered that the average amount of time between when a baby is placed in a sleeper and found deceased was alarmingly short. The study concluded that infants and toddlers up to two years old should always be properly secured and not left unattended in these devices.

There are safer alternatives to the Rock n Play Sleeper. Any cradle, bassinet, play yard, or crib with a firm, flat mattress is deemed safe. It’s crucial for parents and caregivers to adhere to sleep guidelines for developmental transitions as babies learn to sit up, roll, climb, and crawl.

Fisher Price Rock n Play Deaths: Marketing Controversy 

An investigation conducted by Consumer Reports revealed that at least 32 infant fatalities were linked to the Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper since its debut in 2009. This investigation raised serious questions about how the sleeper was developed and advertised.

Despite warnings from numerous expert organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Rock n Play Sleeper was marketed for nap times and overnight sleeping. These organizations advise against using such products for infant sleep.

Fisher Price denied that the Rock n Play Sleeper directly caused any of the reported deaths. The company suggested that the deaths were instead due to pre-existing medical conditions or improper use of the product.

While Consumer Reports conceded that some of the deaths might have had contributing factors, such as illness or additional bedding, they emphasized the consistent warnings from medical experts that infants should only sleep on flat surfaces. The sheer number of associated deaths should have signaled the potential dangers of using the product.

The American Academy of Pediatrics echoed these concerns. In a statement issued in April 2019, it called upon the Consumer Product Safety Commission to immediately recall the “dangerous” sleepers to prevent further tragedies. Fisher Price responded to these concerns by issuing a voluntary recall of the Rock n Play Sleeper three days later, advising parents to cease its use immediately.

What Should I Do if I Have a Recalled Sleeper? 

If you have a recalled sleeper, such as the Fisher Price Rock n Play or a Kids II inclined sleeper, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges you to stop using it immediately. You should then contact the manufacturer for a refund. In case your infant was harmed while using these sleepers, it’s also essential to file an incident report with the CPSC, the federal agency responsible for monitoring and regulating consumer products for safety.

You can reach out to Fisher Price at 1-866-812-6518 or by visiting their Recall & Safety Alerts website. If you bought a Rock n Play Sleeper after October 12, 2018, you qualify for a full refund. For those who bought the product before this date, Fisher Price will issue a voucher for use on another one of the company’s products.

Additionally, Fisher Price urges customers to discontinue use of the inclined sleeper that comes with the Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yard. If you bought the play yard before December 19, 2018, the company will give you a voucher that can go towards a different Fisher-Price item. You can find more details about this recall on Fisher Price’s website.

For those who own a recalled Kids2 rocking sleeper, you can call Kids II at 1-866-869-7954 or visit kids2.com. Click on the “Important Recall Information” button for more information. Depending on how long you’ve owned the sleeper, the company will give you a voucher or refund. 

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