Millions of Baby Rockers Recalled After Infant Deaths

Key Takeaways

• Two major brands, Fisher-Price and Kids2, are recalling millions of rocking sleepers after infant deaths.

• This is the second recall issued for these products, the first coming back in 2019.
• Babies should never fall asleep in a rocker, but it's OK to set your baby down in one.

Two of the country's biggest baby brands are recalling millions of rocking sleepers urging parents to stop using them immediately. The recall involves all models of Fisher-Price Rock n' Play sleepers and all models of Kids2 Rocking Sleepers. There have been numerous reports of infant deaths associated with the use of these rockers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says the babies died after rolling from their backs to their stomachs or side while unrestrained.

This isn't the first time these products have been recalled. The first recalls came in April 2019. But parents were still using the rockers, and sadly more babies have died since that original recall. The CPSC, Fisher-Price, and Kids2 have now re-announced the recall in order to get these products out of families' homes. Here's what parents need to know and how to find out whether you have one of these recalled rockers.

Fisher-Price Recalls 4.7 Million Rock 'n Play Sleepers

When Fisher-Price first announced the recall of the Rock 'n Play Sleepers on April 12, 2019, the CPSC says there were more than 30 reports of babies dying while using them. After that initial recall was announced, the CPSC says 70 more deaths were reported. That includes at least eight deaths since the 2019 recall. However, Fisher-Price says it has not been able to confirm all of the circumstances surrounding all of the reported incidents.

Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper.

The Rock 'n Play sleepers were sold between September 2009 and April 2019 at stores across the country including Walmart and Target. They were also sold online at Amazon. They cost between $40 and $149 depending on the model. It is important to remember it is illegal to sell or even resell these items due to the recall.

In an undated statement on its website, Fisher-Price says it has made the safety of children its highest priority for 90 years. "We want parents around the world to know that safety will always be a cornerstone of our mission, that we are committed to these values and will continue to prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of the infants and preschoolers who utilize our products," the statement says.

What Should I Do If I Have A Rock 'n Play Sleeper?

If you have a Rock 'n Play Sleeper, you should immediately stop using it. You can contact Fisher-Price for a refund or voucher by calling their hotline at 866-812-6518. Their hotline hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. You can also go online to Fisher-Price's recall page for more information.

Kids2 Recalls 694,000 Rocking Sleepers

It's a similar story with the Kids2 Rocking Sleepers. The CPSC and Kids2 originally recalled them in April 2019. At that time, five deaths had been reported as a result of babies rolling from their backs to stomachs while unrestrained in the rockers. There's been a total of 15 deaths reported, four since the original recall. Like Fisher-Price, Kids2 says it hasn't been able to confirm the circumstances of the deaths in some of the reports.

Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper Cuddle Giraffe.

The Kids2 Rocking Sleepers were sold across the country at Walmart, Target, Toys "R" Us, and online from March 2012 through April 2019. They cost between $40 and $80. The K2 Rocking Sleepers were sold under several brand names including Bright Starts, Ingenuity, and DreamComfort. As with Fisher-Price, it is illegal to sell or even resell these items due to the recall.

What Should I Do If I Have A Kids2 Rocker?

If you believe you have a Kids2 Rocking Sleeper, you can confirm it with the model number. Kids2 is recalling all 36 models. The model number is printed on the smallest sewn-in label, which is attached to the seat pad.

Example of label showing model number of Kids2 Rocking Sleeper.

If you have a Rocking Sleeper, you should stop using it immediately. You can contact Kids2 for a refund. Call 866-869-7954 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. You can also head to the company's recall website for more information.

Should I Throw Out My Infant Rocker?

Rockers keep babies calm because they are so comfortable. Infants enjoy feeling snug and being in a slightly inclined position. But, rockers can be a little too comfortable. If they lull your little one to sleep, they aren't safe. If a baby falls asleep at an incline, their head may lull forward, compressing the windpipe. Then, if the infant does not have the neck strength to reposition and they are unable to arouse themselves to call for help, it can lead to death by positional asphyxiation.

You may be wondering if you should even get a baby rocker. If you have one, you may be questioning whether you should get rid of it entirely. Maybe, but not necessarily.

"Rockers may be used to place the infant in during the day when awake and buckled appropriately," says Nilong Vyas, MD, a pediatrician at Sleepless in NOLA and Medical Review Expert at Sleep Foundation. "However, if the parent will be tempted to use these devices overnight or during a nap if these devices are in the home, then it would be best to remove them."

Nilong Vyas, MD

If the parent will be tempted to use [infant rockers] overnight or during a nap, then it would be best to remove them from the home.

— Nilong Vyas, MD

Are Rockers Safe for Newborns?

It's probably not a good idea to put your newborn in a rocker unless it's just for a moment. "The problem is that there is very little time that the newborn is awake, other than when they're eating," notes Heather Wallace, a certified pediatric sleep consultant, postpartum doula, and the owner of BraveHeart Sleep Training and Postpartum Doula Counseling. "So a few minutes after you set your newborn in the rocker he could very well drift off to sleep. When parents are exhausted and desperate they are more at risk for using an unsafe sleeping arrangement."

As your baby gets older, they will begin to stay awake for longer periods. Their sleep patterns will also become more apparent. A 4-month-old who just woke from a nice, long morning nap and drank 4 ounces of milk will probably be up and alert for a good hour and a half. If you need to use the rocker to cook dinner or attend to another child, choose a time you're pretty sure your baby won't fall asleep. However, always supervise your baby in a rocker.

Heather Wallace, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Postpartum Doula

When parents are exhausted and desperate they are more at risk for using an unsafe sleeping arrangement.

— Heather Wallace, Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Postpartum Doula

Although your baby can spend some awake time in a rocker, also be aware that babies should only spend a limited amount of time in containment devices. This includes rockers, bouncers, car seats, and high chairs. Too much time in containment devices can impede physical development, so they should only be used when needed.

Safe Sleep for Babies

The AAP advises parents to put their babies to sleep on their backs in a crib, bassinet, or play yard. The baby should be the only thing in the sleep space other than a pacifier. There should be no blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals. Babies should sleep in the same room, but never the same bed, as the parents.

In June 2022, the AAP updated its guidelines for the first time since 2016. The update further emphasizes the dangers of any bed-sharing and putting your baby to sleep in any product that does not meet the CPSC standards for safe sleep, especially products that are not flat and firm. This includes inclined baby rockers.

The new guidelines also say weighted swaddles or anything weighted to help baby sleep should not be used. Parents may swaddle their baby in a standard receiving blanket from birth, but this practice should be discontinued as soon as the baby shows signs of rolling or when they reach 8 weeks of age, whichever comes first.

What This Means For You

Falling asleep in an inclined rocker is dangerous for babies. It can lead to death by positional asphyxiation. It's OK to put your infant down in a rocker for short periods of time, but only if you supervise them and make sure that they do not fall asleep. If you don't think your baby can stay awake in a rocker, you should not use it. Newborns sleep most of the time, so it's best not to use rockers at this age unless it's only for a minute or two. Also, make sure to double-check that you don't have one of the recalled Fisher-Price or Kids2 Rockers in your household. If you do, stop using it immediately.