The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is warning parents and caregivers not to buy or use pillows marketed as baby sleep accessories – saying the products can cause death through suffocation or overheating.
It says that takedown notices have been issued to online marketplaces prompting the removal of 1,115 listings of such products which CCPC say can cause suffocation, overheating and cot death
“The CCPC has identified that these products are being made available for sale, primarily via online marketplaces, and CCPC takedown notices have so far prompted the removal of 1,115 listings of these products from AliExpress, Amazon, Fruugo and Joom,” the commission said today.
“CCPC product safety officers continue to engage with online marketplaces to ensure that any of these products marketed for sleep and use in cots with babies are removed from relevant platforms.”
“Baby sleep pillows – sometimes called soothing pillows, baby sleep positioners, baby patters or sleep companions – are soft, cushioned products, often animal-shaped, which are marketed as sleep aids for babies. The products pose a risk when placed with sleeping and/or unattended babies.”
“Babies can suffocate if something covers their nose and mouth, such as pillows, cushions or other soft items. These items should never be placed in a baby’s cot or left with an unattended baby.” the CCPC says.
It described baby sleep pillows as soft cushioned products, often animal shaped, sold to be placed on or with a baby during sleep when they are left unattended. The products are sold under a variety of names, including: Soothing pillow, Anti-startle pillow, Sleep companion, Baby lounger, Baby patting pillow, Baby comfort cushion, Baby cuddle cushion. Baby hug pillow, Sleeping pillow, and Baby sleep cushion, the CCPC noted.
“Some variations have a ‘patter’ function, where a hand or arm attached to the product is intended to pat the baby’s bottom. Safety concerns relate to all variations,” it said.
HSE ADVICE
To help prevent cot death, the HSE recommends always placing babies on their backs to sleep with their feet to the end of the cot and keeping their heads uncovered. Parents should use cellular blankets (the tiny holes allow air to circulate) or a sleeveless sleeping bag. Make sure the cellular blanket is tucked loosely but securely below the baby’s shoulders.
Grainne Griffin, CCPC Director of Communications said “parents and caregivers buy these baby sleep pillows just hoping to help their babies sleep, but these products are potentially fatal.”
“Pillows and cushions should not be marketed or sold for use in cots or cribs with sleeping babies. CCPC officers have secured the removal of a number of listings offering these unsafe products for sale and acted quickly to get them off the market. The CCPC will continue market surveillance activities for these products and ensure that sales to Irish consumers are stopped.”
“Businesses must ensure that the items they sell are safe. We encourage consumers to contact us where they have concerns about potentially unsafe products.”
Addressing those concerns Dr Fiona Cianci, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE Child Health Public Health said that “research has shown that there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of cot death or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This includes putting your baby on their back to sleep in a cot with a well-fitting, firm mattress and clear of all items, including soft objects or anything loose or fluffy.”
“Pillows, cushions and similar products should not be in the cot as they could suffocate your baby. There is also a risk of a baby overheating if they are sleeping on a soft surface that their head can sink into. There is a higher risk of SIDS if a baby overheats,” she said.
“Some of these products are described to parents as helping babies with issues such as reflux or flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly). Our advice is to never use any pillow, cushion or similar product in your baby’s cot. Parents can find more advice on safe sleep on the HSE’s mychild.ie website.
In addition to enforcing and promoting compliance with competition and consumer protection laws, the CCPC is responsible for making sure that a wide range of products sold in Ireland meet specific regulations.
This includes toys, domestic gas and electrical appliances, consumer PPE and general consumer products like furniture and children’s clothing. CCPC product safety experts investigate consumer complaints about unsafe products, inspect products for compliance with safety regulations, and work with manufacturers, importers, retailers, Customs and other EU product safety bodies to keep consumers safe.