Why Inclined Sleepers Were Recalled and Then Banned

Inclined sleepers were recalled because infants died in them after rolling over while unrestrained, CPSC’s notices say, and Congress then banned them. Since November 12, 2022, any infant sleeper with a surface steeper than 10 degrees is a banned hazardous product, whatever its age. Babies should sleep flat, on their backs, in a crib, bassinet, play yard or bedside sleeper.

What did the inclined sleeper recalls say?

The best-known recall is Fisher-Price’s Rock ’n Play Sleeper. CPSC announced it on April 12, 2019, covering all models, about 4.7 million units. Its hazard statement reads: “Infant fatalities have occurred in Rock ’n Play Sleepers, after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, or under other circumstances.” Two weeks later, on April 26, 2019, Kids II recalled all of its Rocking Sleepers, about 694,000 units, with a similar hazard statement.

Both recalls were reannounced on January 9, 2023. The Rock ’n Play reannouncement says about 100 deaths had been reported while infants were in the products, and that Fisher-Price could not confirm the circumstances, or that the product was a Rock ’n Play, in some reports.

Other inclined sleeper recalls, in CPSC’s words

Note the Graco case: only the inclined sleeper accessory was recalled. The notice says owners “can continue to use the playard portion of the product and other accessories included with the playard.” Read your notice for which part is affected.

What does the 2022 ban cover?

An inclined sleeper, under the act, is a product “with an inclined sleep surface greater than 10 degrees that is intended, marketed, or designed to provide sleeping accommodations for an infant up to 1 year old.” A separate CPSC rule for infant sleep products, effective for products made after June 23, 2022, also caps the sleep surface angle at 10 degrees.

The ban does not end the problem by itself. In our count of CPSC records, swings marketed for infant sleep were still being recalled in 2025 for breaking it.

What should a baby sleep in instead?

CPSC says to use products intended for sleep, “cribs, bassinets, play yards and bedside sleepers that meet federal requirements,” and to move a baby who falls asleep elsewhere into one of them. NIH’s Safe to Sleep campaign describes the surface as firm, flat “(like a table, not a hammock),” level “(not at an angle or incline)” and covered only by a fitted sheet. It explains that on an incline, “baby’s body can slide down and their head can slump forward, which could block their airway and breathing.”

If you still have an inclined sleeper, stop using it for sleep, check it on cpsc.gov/Recalls and contact the maker named in the notice. Do not sell or give it away. More in safe sleep basics, infant swing recalls and the sleep products overview.