Here's What You Need to Know About the Warnings on Fisher-Price's Rock n' Play Sleeper

For many parents, nap time and bedtime are a lot easier with the help of the Rock 'n Play. The popular baby item started making headlines when manufacturer Fisher-Price issued a warning about potential dangers when using this popular baby product, and addressed reports that it has been linked to 10 infant deaths. However, The Consumer Product Report just released information from their own investigations, detailing how the Rock n’ Play has actually been tied to at least 32 infant deaths since 2010. Now, the consumer magazine is calling on the company to recall the product.

While this news can be alarming, it is important to have all of the facts. Here’s what parents need to know about the Rock ‘n Play, the warnings and how to keep your baby safe while sleeping.

What This Product Does

The Fisher-Price Rock ’n Play Sleeper is designed for babies to sleep on an incline. The product originally launched in 2009 and, since then, there have been many updated versions with different design options.

Parents have long loved the Rock ’n Play Sleeper and used it to comfort their babies with colic or reflux, or to simply calm their little one with gentle vibrations. According to Fisher-Price, this product has thousands of five-star reviews from parents and caregivers.

What Doctors Say

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends that babies be placed flat on their backs when sleeping, and to do so alone — meaning no toys, pillows or soft bedding – and not at on incline. Consumer Reports points out that the Fisher-Price Rock ’n Play Sleeper “does not align with these recommendations.”

The New Product Warning

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Fisher-Price’s warning to parents says that the Rock 'n Play Sleeper should not be used after a baby turns 3 months old or, “as soon as an infant exhibits rollover capabilities.” Their joint statement cites reports of “10 infant deaths in the Rock ’n Play that have occurred since 2015, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side, while unrestrained.”

According to the statement “the reported deaths show that some consumers are still using the product when infants are capable of rolling and without using the three-point harness restraint.”

Consumer Reports Recommendations

While the joint statement cited 10 infant deaths, Consumer Reports released their own findings, showing that the number of infant deaths is much higher and that some babies were younger than 3 months old.

According to their ongoing investigation, at least 32 babies have died, and the company is now calling on Fisher-Price to recall the product instead of just issuing a warning.

What Parents Can Do

We all want our babies to sleep but, more importantly, we want them to stay safe. So, remember the American Academy of Pediatrics' ABCs of baby sleep: Place the baby Alone, on their Back and in a bare Crib.

Update: The Rock n’ Play sleeper was recalled by Fisher-Price on April 12. The recall includes all models of the sleeper since its launch in 2009, including about 4.7 million units. Consumers can reach out to the company for a refund or voucher.