Atlanta, Georgia – Major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target have recently taken action by removing a controversial weighted sleepwear product from their shelves. This decision comes after multiple warnings about the potential dangers of these products, particularly in relation to infant safety.
Medical experts have raised concerns about the use of weighted products on infants, citing risks of reduced oxygen saturation levels and potential harm to the developing brain or even death. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has linked multiple infant deaths to weighted infant blankets, swaddles, and sleep sacks.
In response to these alarming findings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all voiced their support for discontinuing these products. Dr. Ben Hoffman, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, commended the retailers for their proactive measure in removing the items from their inventory.
Senator Richard Blumenthal has also called for an investigation into deceptive marketing practices by top weighted-sleepwear manufacturers like Dreamland Baby and Nested Bean. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that these products are not falsely advertised as safe when there is no agreed-upon standard for determining their safety.
Despite the claims from the companies defending the safety of their products, skeptics argue that the lack of regulation and safety standards for infant products is concerning. Michelle Barry, founder of the nonprofit Safe Infant Sleep, emphasized the need for rigorous safety testing before such products are made available in the market.
As retailers like Nordstrom and Babylist join in discontinuing the products, there is growing awareness and concern about the potential risks associated with weighted infant sleepwear. The collaboration between government agencies, medical experts, and concerned stakeholders highlights the importance of prioritizing infant safety and well-being in consumer products.