New parents usually get a crash course in just how dangerous the world is for infants while preparing for the birth of their child or after they bring their new infant home. The hospital will probably warn you about letting the kids sleep in your bed, while social workers will be quick to tell you that killer couches are a major concern to.
Parents might go out of their way to search for products that will be safe for their children. It’s only natural to assume that a product marketed as an infant pillow would be safe for young children. Unfortunately, as with many other products, just because something gets marketed a certain way doesn’t mean it is safe to use.
A major national brand known for pregnancy and baby pillows has issued a recall because one of their products poses a substantial risk of suffocation to infants, which only highlights the potential that products have to negatively impact your life, even if you do your research as a consumer.
Pillows in the crib increase the risk of sudden infant death
Many parents find it off-putting when they realize that the recommended way to let a child sleep is in a flat crib with a hard mattress and no blankets, pillows or stuffed animals. Any items in the crib that a child could roll onto or pull over their face could pose a risk of suffocation or increase the potential for sudden unexplained child death, formerly known as sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.
Although Boppy brand pillows may use space-age foam and child-friendly fabrics, that doesn’t mean they are safe to place in a crib or put your baby into. The current recall is for the Infant Head and Neck Support Accessory, an item clearly designed to allow an infant to sleep comfortably.
Unfortunately, some of these wound up overstuffed at the production facility. That could lead to the child’s head tilting forward and forcing their chin toward the chest, thereby restricting their airways and increasing the risk of suffocation. As of the date the company initiated the recall, there were no reports of injuries, and consumers can return the product for a full refund.
Consumers who get hurt by a product they trusted have legal rights
Is there anything more terrifying for a parent than realizing that a product marketed as safe for infants is anything but safe? No matter how carefully you research products and how diligent you are in keeping your child safe, mistakes by companies in design or production could still result in unsafe products.
Anyone who winds up hurt by a poorly manufactured product may have rights under the law to seek compensation. Sitting down with an experienced product liability attorney is a good first step toward evaluating a case involving an injury caused by a product.