Sleep expert Amanda Jewson recently warned that common nursery items, including crib bumpers and inclined sleepers, can obstruct infant breathing. Speaking to CTV's Your Morning, Jewson highlighted how these products increase the risk of sleep-related death for babies with developing airways.
The 11,779 infant deaths analyzed by the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) conducted a 10-year study examining 11,779 infant sleep-related deaths to identify common risk factors. according to a press release for the study, approximately 3,700 infants die annually from causes including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and strangulation in bed.
The AAP findings revealed that 3% of these deaths occurred in sitting devices, such as bouncers, swings, or car seats, when they were used improperly for routine sleep.. This data underscores a broader trend where convenience-based sleep aids are mistaken for safe overnight environments,despite the physiological vulnerabilities of infants.
Why 90% of car seat fatalities stem from improper use
Amanda Jewson told CTV's Your Morning that car seats are specifically designed to be clipped into a vehicle at an angle that keeps a baby's head in a safe position. However , this critical safety mechanism cannot be replicated when the seat is removed from the car and used as a stationary sleeper.
Jewson noted that 90% of car seat-related deaths happen when the product is used incorrectly. Because infants have heavy heads and developing airways, using a car seat outside its intended environment can cause the head to slump , obstructing the airway and creating a lethal scenario.
The 'big no' of crib bumpers and rebranded loungers
Regarding crib bumpers, Amanda Jewson describes them as a "big no" because they are composed of fabric and padding that can block a baby's airway. while parents often install them to prevent bumps or bruises , Jewson argues that a bruise is harmless compared to the suffocation risk created when a rolling baby becomes trapped against the padding.
The use of "loungers" or "nets" is equally concerning to Amanda Jewson, who compared these products to inflatable rafts that create a nest-like environment. As reported by CTV's Your Morning, these items surround the baby with padding, and the risk increases significantly when parents place these loungers inside a crib, which presses the padding against a hard surface.
The risk of weighted sacks and 'nest' designs
Beyond loungers, Amanda Jewson warned that weighted sleep sacks can be dangerous if they prevent a baby from moving away from a hazard. Because infants are still learning how to navigate their environment, any product that limits their ability to roll or shift away from an obstruction increases the likelihood of accidental suffocation.
In contrast, standard sleep sacks or swaddles are considered safe, provided the baby maintains full movement in their hips. This distinction highlights the thin line between supportive sleepwear and products that inadvertently trap a developing child.
Who is regulating the rebranding of recalled loungers?
A critical gap remains regarding the lifecycle of these dangerous products. Amanda Jewson observed that loungers are frequently recalled and pulled from the market, only to be resold under different names. This cycle suggests that the design flaws—specifically the surrounding fabric and padding—are being ignored by manufacturers in favor of rebranding.
It remains unclear which regulatory bodies are failing to prevent these rebranded, unsafe designs from returning to nursery shelves. Furthermore, the source does not specify if there are pending legislative efforts to ban "nest-style" loungers entirely to prevent this cycle of recall and resale.
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