Parents warned of dangers of baby sleep pillows

Olivia Kelleher

Parents and caregivers have been warned not to buy or use pillows marketed as baby sleep accessories, as they can cause death through suffocation or overheating.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has identified that these products are being made available for sale, primarily via online marketplaces.

CCPC takedown notices have so far prompted the removal of 1,115 listings of these products from AliExpress, Amazon, Fruugo and Joom.

Baby sleep pillows – sometimes called soothing pillows, baby sleep positioners, baby patters or sleep companions – are soft, cushioned products, often animal-shaped, which are marketed as sleep aids for babies.

The products pose a risk when placed with sleeping and/or unattended babies.

Babies can suffocate if something covers their nose and mouth, such as pillows, cushions or other soft items. These items should never be placed in a baby’s cot or left with an unattended baby.

To help prevent cot death, the HSE recommends always placing babies on their backs to sleep with their feet to the end of the cot and keeping their heads uncovered.

Parents should use cellular blankets (the tiny holes allow air to circulate) or a sleeveless sleeping bag. Make sure the cellular blanket is tucked loosely but securely below the baby’s shoulders.

Grainne Griffin, Director of Communications at the CCPC, says that baby pillows are potentially fatal.

“Parents and caregivers buy these baby sleep pillows just hoping to help their babies sleep, but these products are potentially fatal.

“Pillows and cushions should not be marketed or sold for use in cots or cribs with sleeping babies.

CCPC officers have secured the removal of a number of listings offering these unsafe products for sale and acted quickly to get them off the market.

The CCPC will continue market surveillance activities for these products and ensure that sales to Irish consumers are stopped.

“Businesses must ensure that the items they sell are safe. We encourage consumers to contact us where they have concerns about potentially unsafe products.”

Dr Fiona Cianci, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the HSE said that research has shown that there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of cot death or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

“This includes putting your baby on their back to sleep in a cot with a well-fitting, firm mattress and clear of all items, including soft objects or anything loose or fluffy.

“Pillows, cushions and similar products should not be in the cot as they could suffocate your baby. There is also a risk of a baby overheating if they are sleeping on a soft surface that their head can sink into. There is a higher risk of SIDS if a baby overheats.

“Some of these products are described to parents as helping babies with issues such as reflux or flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly). Our advice is to never use any pillow, cushion or similar product in your baby’s cot. Parents can find more advice on safe sleep on the HSE’s mychild.ie website.”