Consumer Reports: 32 Babies Die in Fisher-Price Rock ‘N Play, Should Be Recalled

Fisher-Price says Rock 'n Play Sleeper 'meets all applicable safety standards'

A warning was issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission about the Fisher-Price Rock ‘N Play sleeper after reports of infant deaths. (CPSC)CPSC

The magazine Consumer Reports is calling on Fisher-Price to recall its Rock ‘n Play Sleeper after a U.S. agency said that 10 infants have died since 2015.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a statement last week saying that it is aware of 10 deaths since 2015 “after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side, while unrestrained. All 10 infants were 3 months or older.”

Consumer Reports, however, performed an investigation and found that at least 32 babies have died.

The magazine’s researchers also found “deaths of babies even younger than the 3-month threshold cited in the April 5 warning, and go beyond the risk of rollover.”

“Based on the deaths and injuries associated with the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play, the product clearly puts infants’ safety at risk and should be recalled immediately,” said William Wallace, who is a senior policy analyst for Consumer Reports, in a separate press release on April 8. “All other inclined sleepers should be investigated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.”

Wallace said the CPSC’s alert is needed but is overdue.

“To truly protect the public, the CPSC should set strong rules for all infant sleep products, including mandating what medical experts already recommend: a firm, flat surface in a bare crib, bassinet, or play yard,” he said.

Meanwhile, “if products don’t meet the rules, the agency should quickly get them off the market and out of people’s homes, even if they conform to voluntary industry standards,” Wallace added. “It’s totally inappropriate for companies or the CPSC to put the bulk of the responsibility for safety on parents and caregivers—especially when a product indicates it’s safe for routine sleep but really isn’t—or to imply that they’re to blame for tragedies.”

Fisher-Price told USA Today that “the safety of children is our highest priority. The loss of a child is tragic and heart-breaking” after Consumer Reports published its statement.

The firm added that the Rock n’ Play Sleeper “meets all applicable safety standards.”

“We continue to work closely with the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding the safe use of our products, including the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper,” a spokesman said. “We will continue to do all we can to ensure that parents and caregivers have the information necessary to create a safe sleep environment for infants.”

In the statement, Fisher-Price said that it is essential that product warnings and instructions are always followed.

CPSC Warning

The CPSC last week advised consumers to stop using the product by three months of age or as soon as the infant is able to roll over.

“Fisher-Price warns consumers to stop using the product when infants can roll over, but the reported deaths show that some consumers are still using the product when infants are capable of rolling and without using the three-point harness restraint,” according to the agency.

The 10 children who died were over the age of three months, it said.

A different Rock ‘n Play model was recalled in 2013 due to the risk of mold developing between the seat cushion and the hard plastic frame. Fisher-Price received 600 reports of mold on the product, with some customers reporting their infants was treated for respiratory issues, coughs and hives after sleeping in the product, according to the CPSC.