Parents warned about 'baby sleep pillow' posing risk of death being sold online
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) issued a warning regarding baby sleep pillows
Parents are being warned about a new “online phenomenon” that is posing a risk of death.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is warning parents that baby sleep pillows, often coming in the shape of an animal, are posing risks of suffocation and overheating.
They are being sold under a number of names, including ‘soothing pillows,’ ‘baby sleep positioners,’ and ‘sleep companions.’
When placed beside an unattended baby, they can cause death.
Over 1,000 of these products have been removed from online marketplaces like Amazon and AliExpress after takedown notices were issued by the CCPC.
“This is very much a product trend linked to online marketplaces... This safety message is aimed at people shopping online who may have had these products suggested to them as they scroll,” a spokesperson from the CCPC told RTÉ.
The pillows can cause overheating, which can lead to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Some of the places selling these baby sleep pillows are marketing them as a tool that will help a baby suffering from reflux or flat head syndrome.
This has been described as “worrying” by Dr Fiona Cianci, a Consultant in Public Health Medicine.
“It is hard for parents, especially when they're desperate to do the best for their babies, to discern what's safe and what's okay, and what's not safe to give to their babies," she told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
Consumers are urged to contat the CCPC if they have any concerns regarding a product.