A massive recall is in the news this morning after the company that makes an infant recliner called Nap Nanny says their product has caused infant deaths.
The Nap Nanny is a soft, reclining surface for babies to sleep on and became enormously popular after its introduction several years ago; however, the company that produced it–Baby Matters–issued a recall in 2010 and made major changes to the design and added new warning labels, saying “these baby recliners contain defects in the design, warnings and instructions, which pose a substantial risk of injury and death to infants.” Despite the changes, parents loved the product and continued to use it; it is now reportedly responsible for five infant deaths and close to 100 infant injuries since 2009. Baby Matters is no longer in business.
A statement released on the Nap Nanny website reads, “In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Baby Matters LLC of Berwyn, Pa., is announcing a voluntary recall of all models of its Nap Nanny and Nap Nanny Chill infant recliners and covers. This recall is announced as part of the settlement of an administrative case filed by CPSC in December 2012, which sought a mandatory recall of the Nap Nanny and Chill products.
From 2009 to the present, the Commission staff has received at least 92 incident reports involving the Nap Nanny and Nap Nanny Chill products, including five infant deaths. CPSC is aware of four infants who died in Nap Nanny Generation Two recliners and a fifth death involved in the Chill model. In the incident reports received by CPSC, there were 92 reports of infants hanging or falling over the side of the products, including some infants who were restrained in the product’s harness.
CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop use of all Nap Nanny and Nap Nanny Chill recliners. Baby Matters LLC is no longer in business and is not accepting returns. In December 2012, four major retailers—Amazon.com, Buy Buy Baby, Diapers.com, and Toys R Us/Babies R Us—announced a voluntary recall of Nap Nanny and Chill models sold in their stores. Consumers who purchased a Nap Nanny from one of these retailers should contact the retailer for instructions on how to obtain a refund for the product.”
If you own the Nap Nanny or Nap Nanny Chill, discontinue use immediately and dispose of the item. You can go here for more info.