PSA: UPDATE: PRODUCT RECALLED: Fisher-Price says 10 infants have died using Rock 'n Play sleeper

Twinkiedoll · April 2019

https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/05/health/fisher-price-rock-n-play-sleeper-warning/index.html

Just announced today (4/12): https://abcnews.go.com/Business/fisher-price-rock-play-sleepers-recalled-infant-deaths/

Lotus_2008 · April 2019

Has anyone had any problems with their babies using the Rock 'n Play after 3 months? The product listing says it is suitable for up to 7 months/25 lbs.

denma2015 · April 2019

I was thinking about getting one for this baby so I don’t have to haul our UppaBaby bassinet up and down the stairs. After reading about this I’m going to skip it.

sourlemon · April 2019

@Lotus_2008 both my kids slept in one by my bedside until 4-6 months. Even though both were rolling by 3 months they never tried to roll in the rock n play.

olivemomma · April 2019

I have one - if used correctly these are perfectly safe. You have to be vigilant of many products once your baby starts to roll - not just this one. I have zero hesitation in using this again. Sometimes basic common sense goes a long way as a parent and continuing to let your child sleep in this unstrapped once they are rolling is lacking in that. It would be like putting your mobile baby in a baby swing unbuckled and being surprised they fell out...

jmesue1030 · April 2019

@olivemama 💯 we loved this product with DS and I fully intend to use it responsibly again if this baby likes it as much as he did...

suzycupcake · April 2019

Thanks @Twinkiedoll for letting us know about these things.

moon1417 · April 2019

The Rock n Play is not intended for sleep. It is not safe and the baby should be removed from the Rock n Play as soon as they fall asleep. eta.. positional asphyxiation can happen even if you do not take your eyes off of them. Anything labeled a "sleeper" is not approved for sleeping. Use a Bassinet, Crib or Pack n Play for sleep, these are the only approved sleeping surfaces. It is because they are flat surfaces and have gone through testing. Follow the ABCs Alone, on their Back and in their Crib. I cannot say this enough. These deaths were 100% preventable.

mkrel · April 2019

This is a tough one for me. We started using it for sleep around 4 months when my daughter was super congested and propping up the bassinet or crib wasn't working per the recommendation of her pedi. She never rolled back to front though until she started crawling and we probably used this from 4-6/7 months. We also had a snuza monitor on her so I at least knew I'd get the alarm if she wasn't breathing. Aside from rolling, there are also concerns with positional asphyxiation just like there are with sleeping in the car seat. Aside from naps and just hanging out during the day, I had planned to try not to use it this time around if possible just because it was difficult to wean her off of it, but this is another reason I'm going to try to avoid it for night sleep. If I have to, I will use it though and have a monitor on her.

MamaK225 · April 2019

We only used RNP a few times, DD1 enjoyed it, but really preferred a swing (where she was strapped in and - essentially - was laid flat) or the Boppy Lounger if congested: during the day, I would put her in it on a clear, safe surface within arm's reach and at night, I would use it to slightly elevate the mattress in her PNP that she slept in, right next to my side of the bed. I had a lot of friends who used RNP and it was murder trying to wean them off of it.

zamoraspin · April 2019

@moon1417 I couldn't agree more. I am a FTM so sometimes I bite my tongue (because I haven't actually experienced a 24/7 baby who won't sleep) when I hear what moms do but it worries me so much. My understanding is exactly what you said for the ABCs, which is why a RNP and other non-flat surfaces are not safe. I think what happens is they help baby sleep and people get hooked on them, and will even tell you nothing bad happened to THEIR baby. Well ok, but the risk is there, and even if the risk is small it is, as you say preventable. I had a mom trying to push her dock-a-tot on me over the weekend (they used it in their bed and then in a crib) and I kept just saying no without getting into why I they are simply not safe, especially when used in a bed.

Not to derail the RNP convo but curious what others do when moms try to give them advice on sleep surfaces that you don't feel are safe? I'm more outspoken with other expecting moms because I feel like they really might not know about how dangerous it is for a baby to sleep at an incline, in a bed, etc.

moon1417 · April 2019

@Zamora_spin I really appreciate you saying that! I sometimes find my self alone in a sea of survivors-bias! If I am approached by unsafe sleep advice (usually the MIL or other family member) I am just mater of fact about it, I make abrupt eye contact and and use words like, you will absolutely not do that with my child. And try to discuss with them survivors bias, because that is typically what it comes down to.

I have to take necessary risks every single day, I am unwilling to add to my list of risks -- I hate the one where people come back and say, well you could also get into a deadly car crash... ugh. I mean stats are there, in one year 88 infants died of a car crash where in the same year 1,023 died from bed sharing/unsafe sleep practices. I'm trying my best for my kids not be to a stat.

olivemomma · April 2019

@zamora_spin I think as long as other moms are just issuing advice and not being pushy or will actually be responsible for your child while sleeping you simply nod, smile, and absorb. To be honest, I think sleeping is like most things with having a baby - each baby is different and you just don’t know what you will do until you are there. If you have an easy sleeper than that’s great and put them flat on their back in one of the 3 devices mentioned above. The sad truth is it’s just not like that for many moms and babies. They may have reflux. They may simply be stubborn. They may refuse to sleep without being on you. There any many scenarios that make the perfect sleep environment really hard to deal with, especially in the earliest months when letting them cry or self sooth is simply not an option. Sanity and the need for sleep (for both of you!) becomes an issue. Of course, safety is always critical, but sometimes the perfect scenario needs to be tweaked.

mkrel · April 2019

@zamora_spin I have mentioned to quite a few friends that the dock a tot is not safe for sleep when they have asked if I used one because so and so swore by it in their pack n play. I always preface my comments by letting them know that I am a completely paranoid anxiety ridden person who follows the AAP safe sleep recommendations as best as I can, and also let them know I had to rely on a RNP from time to time despite my anxieties because of illnesses and it was that or falling asleep with her in my arms which I couldn't do. I hope that my sharing of the background of my comments plus I'm obviously not perfect and veered from the recommendations from time to time helps them to know that I'm not judging and understand the struggle.
I have just read so many articles about avoidable suffocation deaths that I barely sleep for the first few months, and I think a lot of people who don't research don't even realize these things can be issues.
I would just casually say, I was reading an AAP article about safe sleep and it mentioned that "insert device that someone is talking about" isn't actually a recommended sleep surface because of "insert issue." Then they can take it or leave it.

wabash15 · April 2019

@zamora_spin @moon1417 I agree that safe sleep surfaces should be tried first and often. I also heartily second @olivemomma in that if you have an easy sleeper that is great, but sometimes you end up with a kid with reflux , colic or other sleep issues and if you and baby don't get some sleep it can get ugly. There are plenty of studies that show that sleep deprivation is just as bad or worse than drinking. There were plenty of things I never thought I would do till I was in the situation and desperate for sleep. Do your research, do as much as you can do to make things as safe as possible but we don't always live in a perfect world.... please don't take this as me pushing sleep alternatives, just more saying I have been there and get why someone might choose/need to stray from the hard and fast AAP recommendations.

@zamora_spin as for getting advice you don't believe in, I smile and nod and do what I'm going to do. Sometimes I might engage in a conversation that what ever is being presented is not the right choice for my family and having researched xyz We are planning on doing abc but thanks.

Twinkiedoll · April 2019

Getting unsolicited advice, whether you believe it or not, is a fact of life from the moment people know you're pregnant (or even when people know you are trying to get pregnant). Nod and smile is the best solution or you'll drive yourself crazy arguing with people.

We have two RnPs. We would use them again. We actually only used them when DD was 4 months and up, and she rarely slept in it. We always strapped her in so she couldn't roll over. As PPs said, it's easy to preach about the AAP sleep guidelines and following them all the time when your kid is an easy sleeper. But if your kid is not, then it's really about survival mode, and you do your research and try to make things as safe as possible while getting yourself and the baby some sleep. We are lucky that DD was also a pretty good sleeper (though she hates being moved while sleeping so we always made sure to move her to a flat surface before she fell asleep) but I know plenty of moms where that was not the case. I don't judge them for letting their kid sleep in the RnP, swing, or Dock-a-Tot if that was the only way the baby would sleep.

WinchesterGirl · April 2019

We have the rock n play, and always used under supervision with the buckles fastened and did not have an issue. Almost any baby device used incorrectly can lead to injury or death! It is important to read instructions on everything, especially anything where you and baby will be asleep while in use.

As for other people giving advice, there are plenty of ways to handle that. If it's someone you feel could be open to education on the matter, by all means share the latest recommendations! Some people though will never listen, and them I just ignore. I have a relative who ignored every single safe sleep recommendation for use of the crib. Blankets, stuffies, a crib bumper, and putting a newborn down on their stomach to sleep from day 1. She did not care what the recommendations were. That stresses me out, but ultimately I can only control the safety measures that are there for my own children.

But you should 100% pay attention if people don't seem receptive to safe recommendations, because those are the people who are never allowed to watch my baby without me or DH present.

goldfishcraker · April 2019

@moon1417 I got into an argument with my mom last week regarding baby sleep safety. She's excited for eventual sleepovers. I have repeatedly discussed the dangers of blankets in crib with baby (my cousin had a baby In July and kept posting pics of baby sleeping with blankets and stuffed animals.)
My mom said that "the experts change their mind all the time. One day babies should sleep on their stomach, the next day it's on their back. All 3 of you kids were fine with blankets. This one will be too!"

NO!! You will NOT be putting my infant to sleep with a blanket! I would never forgive someone if they killed my child. Just because you did something and were one of the lucky ones, doesn't mean it's worth the risk.

Know better, do better.

I told her "yea, you also drove around without seat belts, crawling freely in the car, and played with Mercury. You survived, but lots of kids didnt.

brianalee2984 · April 2019

We have one of these at work, and it is a godsend for the smaller infants who won't sleep or u happy unless they are being held. Of course during their time in it, they under direct supervision of two teachers. My thought was to have the baby in it for the first few weeks home, since it is mobile and doesn't take up much space so I can have it right at my bedside. They work wonderfully, and can be a sanity saver, as long as they are used responsibly.

rpbarkernc · April 2019

@chillycanadian I highly recommend the halo sleepsacks. My son has been in then since we stopped swaddles. He’s warm but no blankets! He’s almost 2 and we are still doing the sleep sacks. Probably will until he’s outgrown them and then transition to a blanket. All of his grandparents know that this is what we do and they just follow our lead. They think they’re cute! 😁

Twinkiedoll · April 2019

Updating the title didn't bump up the post so I am just adding this comment so people can see it.

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/fisher-price-rock-play-sleepers-recalled-infant-deaths/

PSA: UPDATE: PRODUCT RECALLED: Fisher-Price says 10 infants have died using Rock 'n Play sleeper

Re: PSA: UPDATE: PRODUCT RECALLED: Fisher-Price says 10 infants have died using Rock 'n Play sleeper

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