CPSC Issues Multiple Warnings for Baby Loungers, Cradle Swings and Strollers With Dangerous Designs

Federal safety officials issued a series of warnings this week for a number of different baby loungers, cradle swings and strollers, advising consumers that these products create unsafe sleep environments that increase the risk of suffocation, entrapment and falls for infants.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents and caregivers to immediately stop using and dismantle the following infant products:

• Mamibaby, Yoocaa, DHZJM, Cosy Nation and Hyhuudth baby loungers (manufactured by Ningbo Tree)
• DNYSYSJ and OUKANING cradle swings
• Color Tree baby strollers

According to the warning statements, at least six infants have died after sleeping in these products, whose designs violate federal safety standards by allowing possible entrapment or blockage of airways.

Baby Lounger Warning Letters

In the first of a series of warning letters, the CPSC warned customers to stop using Mamibaby, Yoocaa, DHZJM, Cosy Nation and Hyhuudth Loungers baby loungers, which have been illegally advertised as sleep products.

Officials noted that the baby loungers violate federal safety regulations for infant sleep products due to several design flaws, including low sides that fail to contain infants, overly thick sleeping pads that pose suffocation risks, and enclosed openings that could entrap an infant or allow them to fall out.

Additionally, the lack of a stand for all five brands poses a fall hazard when used on elevated surfaces, collectively creating an unsafe sleeping environment for infants.

Since 2020, at least five infant deaths have been linked to the baby lounger products.

Cradle Swing Warning Letter

In the second warning letter, the CPSC warned consumers to stop using DNYSYSJ and OUKANING cradle swings over suffocation and fall risks that could result in severe injury or death for infants.

The CPSC has identified multiple violations of federal safety standards, including problems with the design of the thick, segmented sleeping pads and low swing sides that fail to adequately secure an infant. Additionally, the internal restraint system restricts infant movement excessively, further violating safety regulations.

According to the notice, the CPSC became aware of an incident in 2021, where a three-month-old infant died in a cradle swing similar to the models currently warned against, due to its thick, segmented sleeping pad and restraint system.

Despite the safety issues outlined by the agency, the responsible sellers, identified as HangBao and Lushui among others, have not agreed to recall the affected products or provide any remedy to consumers.

These cradle swings have been sold on Amazon.com and possibly other platforms from late 2021 through 2024, with prices ranging from $80 to $145.

Stroller Warning Letter

The CPSC also issued a COLOR TREE stroller warning, instructing customers to stop using them immediately and to dispose of the products due to serious safety risks. The strollers present entrapment and strangulation hazards for children.

The agency determined that the design of the baby strollers violates federal safety regulations, because a child’s head can become entrapped between the seat and grab bars, potentially leading to a strangulation hazard.

Notices of violations have been sent to the strollers’ importers, Karmas Far Inc., based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and SmartTech Mobile USA Inc., in Jacksonville, Florida. However, neither company has responded to the notices.

The strollers, which feature a black frame and grab bar along with a gray fabric seat and canopy, were manufactured in China, and were sold through online platforms including Karmasfar.us, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Ebay.com, from November 2021 through November 2023, with prices ranging from $90 to $120.

The CPSC is urging all consumers who own these strollers to stop using them immediately and to follow specific destruction and disposal instructions to prevent further use.

CPSC Warnings Have Resulted in Infant Death Lawsuits

Earlier this month, a $19 million Fisher-Price Rock n’ Play Sleeper settlement was reached to resolve a series of class action lawsuits concerning its Rock n’ Play Sleeper. The lawsuits were filed by families who purchased the recalled sleepers, which were found to have a dangerous inclined design that was linked to more than 100 infant fatalities.

Sleeper safety concerns first emerged in April 2019 after at least 32 infant deaths were connected to the Rock n’ Play sleeper. The CPSC immediately urged consumers to stop placing their infants in the product by three months old, or before they begin to show signs they can roll over independently. Infants who can roll over independently are at risk of being trapped in the fabric of certain incline sleepers and could potentially suffocate.

Following the initial warning, recalls were issued on other inclined sleeper products, including a recall of 71,000 Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards and a recall of 694,000 Kids II inclined rocking sleepers. In 2021, a 4-in-1 Rock ’n Glide Soother recall was issued after four reported infant deaths were associated with its use.

As a result of these product recalls, Congress passed the Safe Sleep for Babies Act in May 2022. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, about 4,000 infants die unexpectedly each year during sleep from accidental suffocation, sudden infant death syndrome or unknown causes. Many of the deaths are a result of suffocation from babies rolling onto their sides or stomach.

The CPSC now urges parents and caregivers to always place infants on their backs in a flat, firm crib, bassinet or play yard, without any items in or around their sleeping environment, except for a fitted sheet. Parents and caregivers are also urged to move an infant who has fallen asleep in an upright or inclined position onto their back and place them in a safe sleeping environment.