‘BABY NESTS’ AND ‘BABY SLEEP BAGS’ - POTENTIAL SAFETY RISKS

The potential dangers of both baby nest and baby sleep bag products has been issued by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), who have issued guidance following a combined total of over 4,500 dangerous baby nests and baby sleep bags being recalled in Ireland between 2021-2022.

The CCPC is responsible for making sure that a range of consumer products sold in Ireland meet required safety standards. Between 2020-2021, the CCPC participated in ‘The Coordinated Activities for the Safety of Products (CASP) project’, alongside a number of market surveillance authorities across the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). The focus of the co-ordinated action was to establish standardised testing and sampling methods of specific infant products, including baby nests and baby sleep bags.

A baby sleep bag is a wearable blanket, designed to keep a baby at a comfortable and safe temperature, without the need for any additional bedding. It is secured at the shoulders, ensuring a baby’s head remains uncovered. As a result of the CASP project findings and subsequent product recalls, the CCPC is highlighting a number of potentially serious risks associated with some baby sleep bag products, including suffocation, strangulation and choking.

A baby nest is a ‘cocoon-like’ mattress consisting of a soft base with padded sides that wrap around the outer rim. They may also be referred to as ‘baby pods’ or ‘sleeping pods’, and are intended for supervised use only. The CCPC is also highlighting a number of potentially serious risks associated with some baby sleep bag products, again including suffocation, strangulation and choking.

The CCPC is encouraging consumers to download its consumer guidance on these products at ccpc.ie for full details of associated safety risks, tips for usage, as well as information of what to do next if they suspect they have purchased an unsafe baby nest.