Ireland’s consumer protection authority has warned parents that pillows marketed as sleeping aids for infants can cause death through suffocation or overheating.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said these so-called ‘baby sleep pillows’ frequently come in animal shapes and are sold under various names such as soothing pillows, baby sleep positioners, baby patters or sleep companions, reports RTE.
The products can pose a serious safety risk when left beside unattended or sleeping babies, with suffocation and overheating identified as the primary dangers.
Around 1,115 of these products have been removed from online marketplaces including Amazon, AliExpress, Fruugo and Joom following takedown notices issued by the CCPC, reports RTE.
A statement from the CCPC said: “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.”
A spokesperson for the commission added that these products are primarily sold by internet retailers rather than in Irish high street shops, describing it as an “online phenomenon,” reports RTE.
“This is very much a product trend linked to online marketplaces (large platforms that often are shipping products to consumers from outside the EU).
“So this safety message is aimed at people shopping online who may have had these products suggested to them as they scroll,” they said, reports RTE.
The spokesperson added: “Ireland, and the European Union, have very robust product safety systems with high levels of compliance.
“We haven’t seen these products appearing in Irish high street stores. This is an online phenomenon.
“Businesses are not allowed to mislead consumers into thinking a product is safe and any consumer who has bought one of these products should get a refund,” reports RTE.
‘Risk of a baby overheating’
Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Fiona Cianci said pillows and cushions should not be placed in a 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 sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if a baby overheats.
“Research has shown that there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of cot death or 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,” she said, reports RTE.
Dr Cianci added: “Some of these products are described to parents as helping babies with issues such as reflux or flat head syndrome.
“Our advice is to never use any pillow, cushion or similar product in your baby’s cot,” reports RTE.
Speaking later on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Dr Cianci said the online sale of such products is a cause for genuine concern.
“It is worrying because 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 to or what’s not safe to give to their babies,” she said, reports RTE.
CCPC Director of Communications Gráinne Griffin said parents buy these products with good intentions, but they could cause serious harm.
“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,” she said, reports RTE.
Ms Griffin urged consumers to contact the commission if they have any concerns about potentially unsafe products.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Ms Griffin described the way these products are being marketed to parents online as “sinister” and “exploitative.”
“It’s really exploiting parents who are trying to do their very best for their child and who are just trying to get a bit of sleep, both for the baby and probably for themselves.
“So parents just need to be aware, if you’re shopping online, particularly on big marketplaces, anything that’s being pushed at you for your baby, you really have to be very cynical, there’s a very strong chance that it’s not safe and it shouldn’t be used.
“While we’re doing everything we can to tackle it, we want parents to be aware that these kind of sleep devices are simply unsafe and should never be bought and never be used,” reports RTE.
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