“Rocking chairs,” “soothing chairs,” and “cradle recliners” are often considered essential “magic tools” for families with babies, offering a comfortable, calming experience. But are these products truly “baby‑soothing wizards”? Recently, Fisher‑Price, the well‑known infant‑and‑toddler brand under Mattel, announced a global recall of approximately 2.2 million baby rockers due to the risk of infant suffocation. An investigation by a reporter from China Consumer News revealed that many similar products on the market fail to provide adequate safety warnings.

　　Infant rockers must not be used for sleeping.

　　A recent recall notice issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicates that the product involved is Fisher-Price’s Snuga series of infant rockers. Between 2012 and 2022, these products were reported to have caused the suffocation-related deaths of five infants.

　　Fisher-Price and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advise consumers to immediately remove the headrest and body‑support inserts from the rocker seat cushion and cut the tether cords with scissors. The CPSC warns that infant rockers should not be used for sleeping, nor should any bedding be added. If the product is used for sleep or fitted with blankets or other bedding, the headrest and body‑support inserts on the seat can increase the risk of suffocation.

　　Inadequate risk warnings for similar products.

　　A reporter checked the Fisher-Price flagship stores on major e-commerce platforms and found no listings for the specific model of infant rocker that has been recalled.

　　Regarding the product’s sales performance in China, the reporter contacted Mattel, the parent company of the Fisher‑Price brand. In its response, Mattel stated that the product has not been sold in mainland China and clarified that this is a voluntary recall for repair rather than a full‑scale product recall. To ensure safety during use, consumers are advised to remove the headrest and body support from the seat cushion. Mattel also noted that Chinese consumers may contact the company’s consumer services team at any time if they have questions.

　　It is worth noting that a Fisher-Price toy is currently being recalled in China. On September 13, the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation announced that the gray caps at the ends of the dumbbell toys included in the Fisher-Price “Fitness Expert Newborn Gift Set” may detach. If these caps come loose and are swallowed by an infant, they could pose a choking hazard. Accordingly, the manufacturer has issued a recall of 3,094 units of the Fisher-Price “Fitness Expert Newborn Gift Set” produced between April 20, 2020, and December 25, 2020. The recall period runs from September 13, 2024, to March 12, 2025.

　　When searching e‑commerce platforms for keywords such as “rocking chair,” “soothing chair,” and “cradle recliner,” reporters found that many brands offer products featuring designs similar to Fisher‑Price’s inclined infant rockers, which enjoy strong sales. However, customer service representatives fail to provide adequate warnings about proper usage precautions.

　　The reporter observed that a baby rocking chair, advertised as “hands-free and perfect for soothing your baby,” is priced at 2,150 yuan and has been added to carts by over 3,000 shoppers. When asked whether the product comes with usage warnings, a customer service representative explained: “Parents should ensure that the rocking motion remains gentle and gradually reduce the amplitude to prioritize the baby’s safety and comfort. Avoid abruptly releasing the seat from one end, as this can create inertia and cause the baby to bounce toward the opposite fixed position—essentially an abrupt stop—which could be unsafe and uncomfortable.” As for the risk of infant suffocation, the representative simply replied, “It won’t happen,” without providing any further guidance.

　　Another electric baby rocker has already sold over 20,000 units. When asked by a reporter about safety precautions, the customer service representative simply replied, “It’s safe,” without providing any additional guidance. Meanwhile, for yet another electric baby rocker, a customer service agent told the reporter, “Be sure to fasten the safety harness.”

　　Consumer Tip:

　　Ensure adult supervision when in use.

　　Industry experts say that children’s seating products such as “rocking chairs,” “soothing chairs,” and “rocking recliners” are highly popular with parents because they can help calm babies to some extent, thereby easing the burden on caregivers. However, these products also pose certain safety risks, so extra caution is required when using them.

　　Wang Zhixin, chief physician of the Department of Pediatrics at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, told reporters that baby rockers and similar devices are by no means “magic tools” for soothing infants. Their first hazard is shaken‑baby syndrome. Although rocking can help calm a crying child, it may damage the infant’s nervous system: mild cases may manifest as lethargy, fatigue, or excessive sleepiness, while severe cases can lead to seizures, cerebral hemorrhage, or even permanent neurological impairment.

　　Second, rocking chairs can affect a child’s skeletal development, as their shape is not straight. Prolonged lying in a rocking chair may interfere with the normal development of the child’s spine.

　　Third, products such as rocking chairs and infant swings pose a suffocation risk if improperly designed or used. Rocking chairs have a certain degree of tilt; when the baby is reclined, their head may droop, restricting oxygen flow. Additionally, infants often turn over, and certain positions can prevent them from rolling back, leading to suffocation. Therefore, parents are advised not to let infants sleep in inclined cribs, even if these products come with warnings to secure them with safety harnesses.

　　Industry experts advise that when parents use baby rockers or other similar “baby‑soothing devices,” they must ensure the infant is under adult supervision at all times. (Reporter Sun Wei)

　　Source: China Consumer News