Orlando, FL – In a significant move, major retailers Amazon, Walmart, and Target have decided to remove weighted sleepwear products from their shelves due to safety concerns. These products have been linked to a potential risk of inhibiting infants’ ability to breathe and circulate blood properly.
The decision to pull the weighted sleepwear products comes after repeated warnings from medical experts about the dangers associated with these items. Reports suggest that the use of weighted products may lead to a decrease in oxygen levels in infants, posing a threat to their developing brains and overall well-being. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported multiple infant deaths related to the use of weighted infant blankets, swaddles, sleep sacks, and similar products.
Various reputable organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have raised concerns about the safety of these products. The AAP highlighted the lack of a voluntary safety standard for weighted infant sleep products, urging for more stringent regulations to protect infants.
Dr. Ben Hoffman, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, commended the retailers for their proactive decision to remove the unsafe products from their inventory. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of babies and relieving parents of the burden of navigating potentially hazardous products in the market.
Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has called for an investigation into deceptive marketing practices by leading weighted-sleepwear manufacturers, Dreamland Baby and Nested Bean. The stakes are high, according to Blumenthal, who emphasized the need for clear warnings about the lack of an agreed-upon safety standard for these products.
While the companies behind the weighted sleepwear products have defended their products as safe and effective, critics argue that the lack of regulation and safety standards leaves infants vulnerable to potential harm. The decision by retailers to discontinue these products signals a step in the right direction towards ensuring the well-being of infants across the country.
Nordstrom and Babylist have followed suit in discontinuing the sale of weighted sleepwear products, aligning with the efforts to prioritize infant safety. This coordinated action by major retailers and lawmakers reflects a shared commitment to protecting vulnerable consumers and preventing future tragedies associated with unsafe products.