The CPSC’s unanimous and bipartisan approval of the new federal safety standard for infant support cushions is a critical step in safeguarding our most vulnerable.^[1] This rule, focused on preventing infant support cushion-associated suffocation, entrapment, and fall hazards that have led to at least 17 infant deaths per year, builds on CPSC’s broader mission to protect infants and young children, particularly from the risk of dying in their sleep.^[2]  The work to address these tragic and preventable losses is far from over, but we are making steady progress.

This rule is the latest step in CPSC’s ongoing effort to eliminate infant sleep deaths tied to consumer products.  The past four years have seen critical rules adopted:  

• In 2021, CPSC adopted a general standard for infant sleep products—CPSC’s Infant Sleep Products Rule (ISPR)—to ensure that products marketed for sleeping infants up to 5 months of age would be safe for sleep.^[3] Among other things, ISPR banned the sale of hazardous inclined infant sleepers made after June 2022. This strengthened efforts to clear the market of products similar to the Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play, an inclined infant sleeper linked to over 100 infant deaths.^[4] 

• In 2022, recognizing that some infant products are commonly used for sleep, even if not explicitly marketed for sleep, Congress passed the Safe Sleep for Babies Act (SSBA).^[5]  SSBA directed CPSC to take further action against hazardous inclined infant products. In 2023, CPSC adopted a rule to implement SSBA, which prevents companies from selling products designed like a hazardous inclined infant sleeper, regardless of marketing and regardless of manufacture date.^[6] Through SSBA, the agency also banned crib bumpers^[7] —113 known fatal incidents were associated with crib bumpers between 1990 and March 2019.^[8] 

• Earlier this fall, CPSC approved a rule for nursing pillows to prevent sleep deaths and serious injuries that were occurring in those products.  At least 154 infants died in a nursing pillow between 2010 and 2022.^[9]

These rules, along with rules for bassinets and cradles, cribs, play yards, and bedside sleepers, form a solid foundation for preventing infant sleep deaths.  Yet I am painfully cognizant of the fact that gaps still remain.  It’s our job to fill them.  So, I will continue to work towards a future where every infant product sold in this country is safe for infants.  Together, we can save lives. 

Yours in Safety,

Commissioner Richard L. Trumka Jr. 

*The views expressed in this statement are solely the views of Commissioner Trumka and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission.

[1] CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Infant Support Cushions to Prevent Infant Deaths and Serious Injuries, (10/16/2024), Consumer Product Safety Commission, (available at: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2025/CPSC-Approves-New-Federal-Safety-Standard-for-Infant-Support-Cushions-to-Prevent-Infant-Deaths-and-Serious-Injuries).

[2] Safety Standard for Infant Support Cushions, (1/16/2024), Federal Register, (available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/16/2023-27324/safety-standard-for-infant-support-cushions). 

[3] Safety Standard for Infant Sleep Products, (06/23/2021), Federal Register, (available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/06/23/2021-12723/safety-standard-for-infant-sleep-products). 

[4] Fisher-Price Reannounces Recall of 4.7 Million Rock ‘n Play Sleepers; At Least Eight Deaths Occurred After Recall, (01/09/2023), Consumer Product Safety Commission (available at: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Fisher-Price-Reannounces-Recall-of-4-7-Million-Rock-n-Play-Sleepers-At-Least-Eight-Deaths-Occurred-After-Recall).

[5] H.R.3182 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021, May 16, 2022, Congress.gov, (available at https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3182).

[6] Ban of Inclined Sleepers for Infants, (08/16/2023), Federal Register, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/16/2023-17350/ban-of-inclined-sleepers-for-infants).

[7] Ban of Crib Bumpers, (08/14/2023), Federal Register, (available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/14/2023-17355/ban-of-crib-bumpers).

[8] Safety Standard for Crib Bumpers/Liners, (04/03/2020), Federal Register,  (available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/04/03/2020-06142/safety-standard-for-crib-bumpersliners). 

[9] CPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Nursing Pillows to Prevent Infant Deaths and Serious Injuries (09/18/2024), Consumer Product Safety Commission, (available at: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Approves-New-Federal-Safety-Standard-for-Nursing-Pillows-to-Prevent-Infant-Deaths-and-Serious-Injuries).