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“Weighted sleep sacks unsafe for babies,” warn Pediatricians

By on June 29, 2023

The golden hours of sleep is important for families. Babies sleeping safely means a good night rest for moms and dads too.

Sleep-deprived parents will try anything that can get their babies to sleep from the most comfy bed to the latest toys and gadgets – and even the wildly popular sleep sacks.
But in a latest tweet by the American Academy of Pediatrics, it warned parents of a potential risk weighted sleep sacks pose to babies.  
“The use of weighted sleep sacks/swaddles poses a potentially fatal risk for infants by raising the SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) risk. AAP urges parents not to use them and @USCPSC to increase oversight on all weighted sleep products marketed to children to prevent tragedy.”
As a recommendation to safe sleep, the world’s largest association of pediatricians, the AAP, further warns “Weighted swaddles, weighted clothing or weighted objects on or near the baby are not safe and not recommended.”

Companies that make these weighted sleep sacks and swaddles liken them to ‘a parent’s hand’ resting gently on an infant’s chest or to the sensation of “being held and hugged,” mentions NBC News.

The AAP wrote the Consumer Product Safety Commission on June 15.

“There is no evidence in the peer-reviewed scientific literature evaluating the safety of weighted sleep products on typical, healthy infants, and there is also nothing published regarding their use in an unmonitored setting. Even preliminary, non-peer-reviewed data under discussion in ASTM International proceedings suggest these products are associated with concerning reductions in oxygen saturation levels in infants. This means there is evidence that the use of weight sleep products on infants can lead to lower oxygen levels, which if sustained, may be harmful to the developing infant’s brain. A lack of substantial evidence about the possible harms of weighted sleep products should not serve as evidence that they do not cause harm.”

AAP President Dr. Sandy L. Chung  pointed out, “The AAP is concerned that ongoing efforts to develop a voluntary safety standard for these weighted infant products through ASTM International will send parents and caregivers the incorrect message that these unnecessary products are safe.”

“While voluntary standards are appropriate for certain products, given the AAP’s clear policy regarding the danger of weighted sleep infant products, we oppose the development of any voluntary standard for these products.”

Alex Hoehn-Saric, Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman aware of the AAP’s concerns, said the agency “is taking a close look at these weighted products as part of a larger examination of wearable blankets.”

He urged parents “to shop carefully and consult with their pediatrician before buying any product that claims to improve baby health or help with sleep.”

 

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