After a long fight with the AAP and Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fisher Price announced it has recalled 4.7 million Rock ‘N Play Sleepers.
What We Know
The recall comes after 32 infant deaths were reported between 2011 and 2018. The deaths were a result of unrestrained babies rolling over to their stomachs or sides, or “other circumstances” – an important (but vague) designation. The AAP points out that in a number of these cases, the babies were less than 3 months of age and died due to asphyxia, “the inability to breathe caused by the babies’ position,” reinforcing their argument that even when used as designed, the Rock ‘N Play isn’t safe.
If you have a Rock ‘N Play, you are instructed to stop using it immediately, and contact Fisher Price for a refund or a voucher.
What The Recall Includes:
All makes and models of the Fisher Price Rock ‘N Play Sleeper.
How To Get Your Refund or Voucher:
The amount you get back, in either refund or voucher format, depends on when you purchased the unit and if you still have the receipt. Full details can be found here, but the basics from Fisher Price state:
- If you have owned the Fisher-Price Rock ‘N Play Sleeper 6 months or less, you will receive a full cash refund for the suggested retail price. If you include your receipt you will be reimbursed for the receipt amount including sales taxes paid.
- For products you have owned longer than 6 months, you will receive a voucher to redeem for a new Fisher-Price product commensurate with the amount of time you have owned the Fisher-Price Rock ‘N Play Sleeper.
In order to be eligible for a refund or a voucher, you will have to send the two hub assemblies (pictured below) back to Fisher Price in a pre-paid envelope with either your receipt or the month and year of purchase written on one of the hubs. Once they’ve received them, you can expect your refund or voucher in 12-16 weeks.
What About Canada?
The Rock ‘N Play is marketed as a “soother seat” rather than a sleeper so there is no official recall in Canada (yet). It looks like many of the large retailers have already pulled it, however, because there is no official recall you don’t qualify for a refund or voucher (gee, thanks). You may have some luck going back to the retailer (Walmart, BabiesRUs, etc.) and see what their policy is.
More information can be found on the Fisher-Price site under “Recalls & Safety Alerts” or by calling 866-812-6518 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Our next recos:
Safe Sleep: The AAP Wants Me To Do WHAT??!!
Why Newborns Won’t Sleep Through The Night
Baby Sleep Guidelines: Newborn to 12 Months
Has anyone heard how long it takes to receive the prepaid envelope?
Does anyone know how to recycle this product? We have two and I don’t care about a refund and don’t want the hassle, just want them GONE! Seems like such a waste to just throw them away.
That’s a great question. I have a feeling the only recyclable element would be the metal stand but I could be wrong.
Sad, because this product worked really well for my baby
I agree with anonymous… This was hands-down, my most recommended baby product, and my understanding is that as unfortunate as all of the incidents were, the caregivers didn’t follow instructions for use (buckling babies in). Despite the recall, I have no intention of going through with it, and will plan to use it responsibly and with direct supervision, as it has been my most helpful baby gear with multiple kids. I would not, though, pass it along, as I wouldn’t want the responsibility of knowing whether others can use it safely.
I hear you, although, I think I would agree more if there weren’t instances of asphyxia with babies that were buckled in safely. Hey, and I get it, statistically speaking, this is a low number considering there are almost 5 million floating around out there, but it’s still enough that you want to make parents aware of the dangers of it.