CPSC Warns Parents To Stop Using Podster Infant Loungers After 2 Babies Die

Podster Infant Lounger Suffocation Recall Overview:

• Who: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning parents to immediately stop using Leachco Podster infant loungers.
• Why: The CPSC says it is aware of two infants who were placed on the loungers and suffocated. However the company is refusing to recall the product.
• Where: The products were sold nationwide.

The United States product safety watchdog is warning parents to “immediately stop” using a range of infant loungers made by Leachco, Inc., after two babies reportedly suffocated in them.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued the warning on its website Jan. 20 for the Podster, Podster Plush, Bummzie and Podster Playtime infant loungers manufactured by Leachco, Inc. of Ada, Oklahoma. 

“The Commission has found that the public health and safety requires this notice to warn the public quickly of the hazard,” the CPSC said. 

According to the notice, Leachco refuses to conduct a voluntary recall of the product. It is not currently facing legal action over the situation, but Top Class Actions follows product safety notices closely as they sometimes end in class action lawsuits.

CPSC Issued Warning Following Infant Suffocation Deaths

The CPSC said it was issuing the warning after becoming aware of two infants who were placed on a Podster and suffocated when, due to a change in position, their noses and mouths were obstructed. Approximately 180,000 Podsters have been sold nationwide.

“The infants, 17 days old and 4 months old, died in January 2018 and December 2015 in the U.S.,” the CPSC said. 

It emphasized that the best place for a baby to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet or play yard. 

It said the consumer warning comes several months after a different brand of infant loungers was recalled. 

“Infant loungers like Podsters are not safe for sleep,” the CPSC said. “Babies should always be placed to sleep on their back. Babies who fall asleep in an inclined or upright position should be moved to a safe sleep environment.”

It said it was continuing to investigate the Podsters and intended to promptly consider other actions as Leachco was refusing to issue a recall.

Those actions include a potential filing of an administrative complaint. 

“Consumers are encouraged to report incidents from Podsters or other similar products to saferproducts.gov,” CPSC said. 

In September, 2021, the Boppy Company recalled all of its Boppy Pillow Loungers. The company said the pillows advertised for use with babies pose a suffocation hazard and reports that between 2015 and 2020 eight infants died after being placed in a Boppy pillow.  

What do you think about Leachco’s refusal to recall its loungers? Let us know in the comments! 

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Recall Check: Baking Institute Carrot Cake May Contain Undeclared Nuts, Milk
• Recall Alert: Textron Recalls 6,600 Golf Carts Due to Crash Hazard
• Recall Check: Bagged Kale Sold at Winn-Dixie, Kroger Recalled for Listeria Contamination
• Recall Alert: Portable Heaters Recalled After Multiple Gas Leaks, Fire