What You Need to Know About Rocking Sleeper Recalls
Kids II Sleeper Recall Highlights the Risk of Rocking Sleepers
Kids II is recalling about 700,000 rocking baby sleepers sold since 2012 at Walmart, Target and Toys R Us. Kids II manufactures baby products for brands such as Baby Einstein, Ingenuity, Bright Starts and Disney Baby.
The Kids II Rocking Sleepers recall comes just two weeks after Fisher-Price recalled about 4.7 million Rock ‘N Play sleepers in which over 30 babies died. Under pressure from Consumer Reports and the American Academy of Pediatrics, Fisher-Price initially issued a safety warning for its sleeper. After Consumer Reports uncovered additional deaths by suffocation, Fisher-Price recalled all 4.7 million of its sleepers.
Consumer Reports also investigated the Kids II Rocking Sleepers and found that it shared the same hazard as the Rock ‘n Play Sleeper.
William Wallace, manager of home and products policy for CR, is pleased that the Kids II products are being recalled but says it reveals flaws in the process, too. “As with Fisher-Price, this recall happened only after the public learned of infant deaths, it is being announced on a Friday when it could be missed by consumers, and its terms make it harder for consumers to send the product back and get compensated,” he says. “In light of the Fisher-Price and Kids II recalls, where the companies seem to be setting their own timing and terms, we question whether the CPSC is doing all it can to stand up for consumers’ interests.”
What Do Doctors Recommend?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends “that infants are put to sleep on their back on a flat, firm surface, and [sleepers such as the Kids II sleeper and the Rock ‘N Play] are on an incline,” said Dr. David Fagan, vice chairman of pediatrics at the Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. “We would never recommend any of these products.”
According to Dr. Fagan, research from the 1990s proved that putting babies to sleep on their backs on a flat, firm surface reduced significantly the number of incidents of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.
When Is it Advisable to Return your Recalled Sleeper?
If you own an inclined baby sleeper, discontinue using it immediately. Hopefully, your baby has not been injured or suffocated in a sleeper, in which case, it is proper for you to returned the recalled sleeper for a refund.
Kids II has a recall hotline at 866-869-7954 that consumers can call to request a refund. Or, consumers may fill out a form online. The products affected by the Kids II Rocking Sleeper recall may be viewed on this Affected Product list: https://kids2rockingsleeper.expertinquiry.com/affected-product-list.
The Mattel & Fisher-Price instructions for the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper Recall are here.
When Is it not Advisable to Return your Sleeper?
If your baby was injured or died as a result of suffocating in a baby sleeper, DO NOT RETURN THE SLEEPER! You will need it as evidence should you decide to bring a defective product claim against the manufacturer and/or seller of the sleeper.
The Myth About Baby Sleeper Recalls
Both Fisher-Price and Kids II claim that all of the babies who died in their sleepers were unrestrained. These claims are untrue. The official Kids II recall notice and the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play recall notice state that the hazard prompting the recall are that “infants rolled from their back to their stomach while unrestrained, or under other circumstances.” The reason for the “under other circumstances” language is that the companies know that babies have died in these sleepers even though they were restrained. Some died from positional asphyxia and others died from turning their head into the cloth bedding and suffocating. See our earlier blog on the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Recall and the original Consumer Reports article on the subject.
Phelan Petty: Experienced Product Liability Attorneys
Phelan Petty already represents a Virginia family who lost their baby to a defective sleeper, and we are carefully investigating these cases. Our nationally-recognized product liability lawyers have a track record of successfully handling complex product liability cases. We frequently work with respected experts, including engineers and physicians.
We are aggressive but compassionate, and are the right choice for parents and caregivers who lost a child to a defective sleeper cradle. Please contact Phelan Petty right away for a free consultation by calling 804-980-7100 or completing this brief form.
Michael Phelan is a Virginia trial attorney who practices with a special focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases, pharmaceutical and medical device claims, product liability cases, and truck accidents. Michael’s peers have consistently recognized him for his excellence as a trial lawyer, and his clients have praised him for his commitment to deep research, his outstanding communication skills, and his sincerity and dedication.