Infant pillows are subject to new regulations aimed at preventing baby injuries and deaths.

Regulations on infant support pillows will take effect next year and aim to reduce the risk of choking, entrapment, fall injuries and death, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The regulations require firmness testing, sidewall tilt testing, a maximum tilt angle that cannot exceed 10 degrees, “strongly worded” product warning labels and prohibit the use of devices baby restraint.

“This is an important rule that creates safety standards for a set of products that – until now – were not subject to comprehensive safety standards and created choking hazards for infants,” CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric said.

There were 79 infant deaths and 124 injuries between 2010 and 2022 related to infant support pillows, the CPSC said.

Most deaths and injuries involved infants younger than three months and occurred with pillows in or on a sleep product, such as a mattress, crib, bassinet, play area, or on a couch, futon or a toddler bed.

The CPSC said the regulations cover infant support pillows, including infant head positioner pillows, infant sleep positioners and anti-rollover pillows, cradle pillows, infant wedge pillows, plush toys or cushions and mats marketed for use as support cushions for infants, multi-purpose pillows. marketed for nursing, relaxation and tummy time pillows.

How to Safely Use Baby Support Pillows

The CPSC has stated that babies can turn and roll out of infant support pillows without warning, which is why there are rules parents must follow to keep an infant safe:

• Never use baby support pillows for baby’s sleep or naps.
• If your baby falls asleep, move him or her to a crib, play yard, or bassinet. Stay close and watch your baby.
• Only use a baby support cushion on the floor. Do not use on beds, sofas or other raised surfaces.
• Do not place baby support pillows on soft surfaces or in other baby sleep products, such as cribs or bassinets, or anywhere a baby sleeps.
• Keep blankets and other soft items out and away from the product.

More regulation on infant products

The new regulations on infant support pillows add to recent moves for stricter rules on baby products.

In September, the CPSC approved new regulations on nursing pillows to prevent choking, falls and entrapment of infant head movements.

And weighted infant sleep products, similar to the mini sleeping bags that help put babies to sleep, are also in the crosshairs of politicians and pediatric advocates.

In August, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representatives Tony Cárdenas and Kim Schrier introduced the Protecting Infants from Unsafe Sleep Act, which would ban baby sleepwear.

In 2023, there were approximately 60,400 emergency room visits by children under the age of five associated with child care products, including high chairs, cribs and strollers, the CPSC reported in September.