Chicago Manufacturer Kolcraft Recalls Inclined Sleeper Accessory Due to Hazard of Infant Suffocation

Local children’s product manufacturer Kolcraft has reannounced its February 2020 recall of almost 51,000 inclined sleeper accessories sold with two of their bassinets, the Cuddle ‘n Care 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleepers and the Preferred Position 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleeper.  The product designed and marketed nationwide for babies to sleep on an incline poses a heightened risk of suffocation to infants.

The Chicago company made their second announcement earlier this month to further warn customers about the deadly risks associated with its defective and unsafe design.  Although there have been no reported incidents or injuries identified with the Kolcraft brands, infants have died in similar inclined products made by other manufacturers.

Inclined Sleepers’ History of Recalls

Kolcraft’s recall comes as the ninth of infant inclined sleepers announced since a Consumer Report in-depth study began in April 2019 uncovering dozens of deaths linked to the design of the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleeper.  Early on in the investigation, it was found that at least 32 infant deaths occurring between 2011 and 2018 were linked to the product. But after further review, the organization revealed more horrifying statistics. It was concluded that the inclined sleeper was to blame for at least 73 deaths and more than 1,000 incidents.

The investigation prompted the mass recalled of over 4.7 million Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play Sleepers with a series of other reputable products to follow, including:

• 694,000 Kids II Rocking Sleepers, such as the Ingenuity Moonlight Rocking Sleeper and the Bright Starts Playtime to Bedtime Rocking Sleeper
• 165,000 Baby Matters Nap Nanny and Chill Infant Recliners
• 111,000 Graco Little Lounger Rocking Seats
• 71,000 Fisher-Price inclined sleeper accessory sold with Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards
• 51,000 Kolcraft Cuddle ‘n Care 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleepers and the Preferred Position 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleepers
• 51,000 Graco inclined sleeper accessories included with four playard models
• 46,300 Sumr Brands SwaddleMe By Your Bed Sleepers
• 24,000 Dorel Juvenile Group’s Disney Baby Doze and Dream Bassinet and Eddie Bauer Slumber and Soothe Rock Bassinet
• 5,900 Delta Inclined Sleepers With Adjustable Feeding Position for Newborns
• 3,100 Evenflo Pillo Portable Napper

Despite the collective 5.6 million inclined sleepers that have been recalled and accompanied pleas from pediatricians to ban sleeper accessories, several variations of these products remain on shelves and in use putting countless infants at risk.  The magnitude of the hazard has provoked the government to intervene in hopes of banning all such sleepers from the market and out of families’ homes.  While the Senate continues to consider the legislation, big businesses like Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Buy Buy Baby have taken matters into their own hands – pulling all infant inclined sleepers from their marketplaces.

The Risks of Inclined Sleepers

Once advertised as a new parent’s must-have for its ability to quickly swaddle babies to sleep, the public is still coming to terms with its the deadly consequences.  Since Fisher-Price launched their “revolutionary invention” in 2009, inclined sleeper products have been marketed as a safe option to soothe and calm babies by swaddling and rocking them to sleep. 

However, the inclined and constricted position puts babies at increased risk of suffocation.  That is because the sleepers, which position babies at an angle between 10 to 30 degrees, can allow an infant’s head to fall forward on to their chests restricting airflow.  Furthermore, the inclined position makes it easier for babies to turn on to their sides and stomachs preventing them from rolling back over.  And without sufficient head control or neck strength, an infant is not able to lift their head up to breathe causing asphyxia or suffocation.

What to do if You Have an Inclined Sleeper

Regardless of design differences between products, all inclined sleepers pose a risk of death, but only some have been recalled.  For this reason, experts and doctors are advising parents to avoid all inclined sleep products - even those that have not yet been recalled.

If you believe you have purchased a recalled Kolcraft inclined sleeper accessory or another defective incline sleeper, immediately stop using the product and contact our team of experienced product liability attorneys to explore your legal options.  As a firm with more than two decades working with the families of victims of defective devices, we know what it takes to go up against major corporations who put profits above the safety of their users.

We are focused on protecting a client’s rights through exhaustive case development and trial preparations as we determine full and just compensation for clients and their families.  Contact our team today at (630) 232-6333, [email protected] or request a free case evaluation.