Following the death of a 4-month-old baby, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Baby Matters LLC have announced the recall of 30,000 Nap Nanny portable baby recliners.

In the fatal incident, the Nap Nanny had been placed in a crib, contrary to instruction. The baby was found in her Nap Nanny harness, but hanging over the side of the recliner and caught between the Nap Nanny and the crib bumper.

In all, there are 22 known reports of infants hanging or falling out over the side of the Nap Nanny despite most of the infants being placed in the harness.

From the CPSC site:

Infants can partially fall or hang over the side of the Nap Nanny even while the harness is in use. This situation can be worse if the Velcro straps, located inside the Nap Nanny cover are not properly attached to the “D”-rings located on the foam, or if consumers are using the first generation model Nap Nanny that was sold without “D”-rings.

In addition, if the Nap Nanny is placed inside a crib, play yard or other confined area, which is not a recommended use, the infant can fall or hang over of the side of the Nap Nanny and become entrapped between the crib side and the Nap Nanny and suffocate.

Likewise, if the Nap Nanny is placed on a table, countertop, or other elevated surface and a child falls over the side, it poses a risk of serious head injury. Consumers should always use the Nap Nanny on the floor away from any other products.

The Nap Nanny is a portable recliner designed for sleeping, resting and playing. The recliner includes a foam base with an inclined indentation for the infant to sit in and a fitted fabric cover and a three point harness. The first generation model of the Nap Nanny can be identified by the absence of “D”-rings in the foam base. In second generation models, the harness system has “D”-rings in the foam base and Velcro straps inside the fitted fabric cover.

The recalled Nap Nannys were sold at toy and children’s retail stores nationwide from January 2009 through July 2010.

According to the CPSC, consumers with a first generation Nap Nanny models — those without “D”-rings — should stop using the recalled baby recliners immediately and contact the firm to receive an $80 coupon towards the purchase of a new Nap Nanny with free shipping.

Consumers with a second generation Nap Nanny model, with “D”-rings, should immediately stop using the product until they are able to visit the firm’s website to obtain new product instructions and warnings. Consumers will also view an important instructional video to help consumers ensure the harness is properly fastened. Consumers who are unable to view the video or new instructions online, should contact the firm to receive free copies by mail.

For more information, contact Baby Matters toll-free at (888) 240-4282 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at Napnanny.com/recall

Baby Matters Recalls Nap Nanny® Recliners Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards; One Infant Death Reported [CPSC via Consumer Reports]

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