Product Recall: Boppy Loungers

Unfortunately, it's time to talk about another popular baby product that has been recalled due to dangerous conditions. It is never fun to share bad news, but it is necessary for us to alert our readers to these recalls. 

This time, we’re looking at “loungers” by the popular Boppy brand. Sadly, these products have caused several fatalities in recent years.

What Products are Being Recalled?

This time, we're talking about an extremely popular baby registry item. The Bobby Lounger is a cushioned and contoured pillow designed specifically for babies. The portable pillow allowed parents to play with the baby hands-free. There are several varieties, and they come in a variety of colors and prints.

Last week, The Boppy Company announced that it is recalling all three types of loungers: the Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers. Overall, that’s a whopping 3.3 million products! This recall also applies to Canada, where about 35,000 items were distributed. 

The Boppy Loungers were sold at major stores nationwide and online, including Target, Amazon and Pottery Barn Kids between January 2004 and September 2021. The products cost anywhere between $30 and $44. The Boppy Loungers measured about 23 inches long by 22 inches wide, and 7 inches high. 

Why are the Boppy Loungers Being Recalled?

Unfortunately, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, eight infant deaths have been associated with the Boppy Company Newborn Lounger. Clearly, this is every parent’s worst nightmare. Reportedly, these infants suffocated when they ended up on their side or stomach.

Though the product is recommended only until a baby reaches 16 pounds or can roll over on their own, it is always possible that a baby can manage to roll over and end up with a blocked airway. This can spell trouble, as the infant will likely not have the strength to correct its own position. Sadly, this can result in suffocation.

About Safe Sleep Environments

We’ve covered safe sleeping environments before, but the best practices are always worth repeating. To begin, it is highly recommended that a baby sleep alone. Preferably, they should rest on a flat surface. By this, we mean that nothing else should be in the sleep environment with the baby. This includes pillows, blankets and stuffed animals. Though this may seem uncomfortable, this is to ensure that there is nothing that can obstruct the baby’s mouth or nose. As mentioned earlier, suffocation is a serious problem for little ones.

According to a spokesperson for The Boppy Company, “the lounger was not marketed as an infant sleep product and includes warnings against unsupervised use.”

What to Do If You Have a Boppy Lounger

If you have one of these products, you should stop using the lounger and contact The Boppy Company for a full refund. You can call the toll-free number at 800-416-1355, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.boppy.com and click “Recall & Safety Alert” for more information. 

Recall Info from the Consumer Products Safety Commission:

Remedy:

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled loungers and contact The Boppy Company for a refund.

Incidents/Injuries:

There have been eight reports of infant deaths associated with the Boppy Company Newborn Lounger and this hazard.

Sold At:

Boppy sold about 3.3 million of the recalled loungers at juvenile product stores and mass merchandisers nationwide and online, including Pottery Barn Kids, Target, and Walmart and online at Amazon.com. The loungers were sold from January 2004 through September 2021 for between $30 and $44. 

Recall number:

21-198