Recall: Boppy Infant Loungers – What If You Repurpose for a Stray?

The company behind the infant lounge pillow that has been on every expecting mother's gift registry for nearly two decades has issued a recall for more than three million infant loungers due to a suffocation risk after eight infant deaths have been reported by users of the products.

Three products manufactured and sold by The Boppy Company under the following names are impacted by the recall implemented on September 23, 2021:

Boppy Original Newborn Loungers, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers

3.3 million Newborn Loungers manufactured by The Boppy Company are being recalled after 8 infant deaths reported

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says, suffocation can occur with a Boppy Infant Lounger if an infant rolls, moves or is placed onto one of the loungers in a way that would position that would impair the infant's ability to breathe. There is also risk that the child could roll off of the lounger onto another, nearby surfaces such as bed pillows, blankets, or other soft bedding that again, could obstruct or otherwise impair the infant's ability to breathe.

The products were sold at both brick and mortar retailers and online retailers across the country

According to a press release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,

This recall involves all Boppy Newborn Loungers. The loungers were sold in a variety of colors and fashions and measure about 23 inches long by 22 inches wide and 7 inches high.

There were approximately 3.3 million Boppy Newborn Loungers sold at both retailers across the country and through online retailers as well, "including Pottery Barn Kids, Target, and Walmart and online at Amazon.com." The loungers were sold from January 2004 through September 2021 fat a price of $30 to $44.

Stop using your Boppy Newborn Lounger IMMEDIATELY

If you have one of the Boppy Newborn Loungers included in the recall, you are encouraged to stop using it immediately and then contact The Boppy Company, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm EST at 800-416-1355 for a refund. You can also visit The Boppy Company website and click on the "Recall & Safety Alert" link. According to the website, in order to start a refund, you must follow the following steps:

Share the UPC or Item Number and Date Code on your LoungerThe UPC or Item Number can be found on the front of the Care Label toward the bottom.

The Date Code is stamped on the back of the second label and is formatted XX-XXX.
Provide a copy of your receipt if you have one, via email, text, or mail. This will help up determine the value of your refund.

Provide a photograph via email, text, or mail that shows the destruction of the Lounger by cutting it in half to make it unusable.

Consider this option instead of just throwing the recalled product in the trash

So you've stopped using your Boppy Newborn Lounger, now what? If you're not interested in receiving the refund or adding to the local landfill, we have an idea! Rather than toss it into the trash, why not repurpose it by donating it to your local animal shelter? They often ask for donations of old blankets and towels to add a little softness for the animals in their care and the Boppy Infant Loungers are definitely much softer than a hard, shelter floor. They would be an excellent spot for a kitty or small dog to curl up for a cozy nap! Imagine all of the animals that could benefit from the more than 3 million recalled infant loungers. See some of our local animal rescues here

Baby is safest on his or her back on a firm flat surface

As for human babies, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that infants should always sleep placed on their backs on a flat, firm surface like a crib or bassinet. Blankets, pillows, plushies, padded bumpers, or other items should never be placed in the sleeping area of an infant.

[Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission]