Baby sleep pillows
Why are baby sleep pillows dangerous?
Baby sleep pillows – sometimes called soothing pillows, baby sleep positioners, baby patters or sleep companions – are soft cushioned products, often animal-shaped, which are marketed as sleep aids for babies. The products pose a risk of death when placed with sleeping and/or unattended babies.
What are the main safety risks?
- Suffocation: Babies can suffocate if something covers their nose and mouth, such as pillows, cushions or other soft items. These items should never be placed in a baby’s cot or left with an unattended baby.
- Overheating: There is a risk of a baby overheating if they are sleeping on a soft surface that their head can sink into. There is a higher risk of cot death or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if a baby overheats.
What is the official advice on safe sleep for babies?
To help prevent cot death, the HSE recommends:
- Place the baby on their back with their feet to the end of the cot
- Keeping the baby’s head uncovered
- Use a cellular blanket (the tiny holes allow air to circulate) or a sleeveless sleeping bag
- Make sure the cellular blanket is tucked loosely but securely below the baby’s shoulders
- Do not keep pillows, cushions and similar products in the cot
For more information, see HSE sleep advice.
What should you do if you own one of these products?
Do not buy baby sleep pillows. If you have one in your home, stop using it immediately and dispose of it safely so it cannot be used by anyone else.
Why are baby sleep pillows not safe under Irish law?
Baby sleep pillows are regulated under S.I. No. 199/2004 – European Communities (General Product Safety) Regulations 2004, which requires all products to be safe. Because baby sleep pillows create a risk of suffocation and overheating, they do not meet these safety requirements and must not be sold in Ireland.
What is the role of the CCPC?
The CCPC has identified that these products are being made available for sale, primarily via online marketplaces, and CCPC takedown notices have prompted the removal of over one thousand listings of these products from AliExpress, Amazon, Fruugo and Joom.
CCPC product safety officers continue to engage with online marketplaces to ensure that any of these products marketed for sleep and use in cots with babies are removed from relevant platforms.
If you see a baby sleep pillow for sale, you should report it to the CCPC via our report an issue form.
