AAP urges recall of Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play following infant deaths

Editor's note: An updated story is available at https://www.aappublications.org/news/2019/04/12/rocknplayrecall041219.

The Academy has called for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play following reports of infant deaths.

The CPSC and Fisher-Price issued a warning April 5 saying there had been 10 infant deaths in the Rock ‘n Play since 2015, after the babies rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained.

However, an article days later from Consumer Reports found there had been 32 deaths since 2011 and called for a recall. Citing that report, the AAP also called for the product to be pulled from shelves and urged parents to stop using it.

“This product is deadly and should be recalled immediately,” AAP President Kyle E. Yasuda, M.D., FAAP, said in a news release. “When parents purchase a product for their baby or child, many assume that if it’s being sold in a store, it must be safe to use. Tragically, that is not the case. There is convincing evidence that the Rock ‘n Play inclined sleeper puts infants’ lives at risk, and CPSC must step up and take immediate action to remove it from stores and prevent further tragedies.”

The AAP does not recommend letting infants sleep in inclined products like the Rock ’n Play that require restraining a baby. The AAP recommends that infants should always sleep on their back, on a separate, flat and firm sleep surface without any bumpers, bedding or stuffed toys.