A number of parents swear by products like infant swaddles and sleep sacks for helping fussy babies get to sleep, but concern is growing over their safety.
A group of federal lawmakers recently moved to ban weighted sleep products like swaddles, sleep sacks, and blankets that can "obstruct movement and make it difficult for babies to breath during unsupervised overnight sleep."
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Reps. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Kim Schrier (D-WA) introduced the Safeguarding Infants from Dangerous Sleep Act in the U.S. Senate and House, noting multiple infant deaths have been linked to the products.
"The stakes are simply too high to allow weighted infant sleep sacks and swaddles to stay on the market without evidence that they are safe," Blumenthal said in a statement. "Experts agree that weighted sleep sacks and swaddles are downright dangerous—restricting babies' movements and putting pressure on their chests that potentially impact their breathing."
The bills define "weighted sleep product for infants" as a wearable blanket, sleep sack, swaddle, or similar product for a child up to one year old that includes materials that add weight to the product for a purpose other than for insulation or decoration.
Proponents say these products can help babies sleep more deeply and longer, but the legislators say there is little evidence supporting their safety and effectiveness.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) first warned against weighted sleep products in their 2022 revised safe sleep guidelines and again in a 2023 letter to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and CPSC all advise parents that weighted sleep products are not safe for infant use. Data published by the CPSC shows five infant deaths were associated with weighted sleep products between 2022 and 2024.
Earlier this year, major American retailers including Target, Walmart, Nordstrom, Amazon and Babylist announced they would stop selling these products in the interest of safety.
"In today's world, many consumers believe that if a product is sold it must be safe, especially those for babies. However, this isn't always the case," Michelle Barry of Safe Infant Sleep said in a statement. "Parents should not have to take on the roles of researchers and investigators just to ensure the safety of their children. This legislation is a crucial step in safeguarding our youngest and most precious citizens."
In a statement to NPR, the CEO of Nested Bean, which sells weighted infant sleepwear, criticized the legislation as "anti-science."
"The bill proposed by Senator Blumenthal and Congressman Cardenas doubles-down on unreasonable government overreach without any data and does not serve the public's best interest," said Manasi Gangan.
"While our business has suffered due to reckless statements from government officials, our customers — each one a loving parent, grandparent, or caregiver — are standing with us," Gangan added, noting that Nested Bean has sold more than 2.5 million units since 2011.
In April, Sen. Blumenthal called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate alleged deceptive advertising practices of Nested Bean and competitor Dreamland Baby, both of which promote the idea that weighted sleepwear naturally reduces stress and increases relaxation.
The AAP maintains "there is no evidence in peer-reviewed scientific literature evaluating the safety of weighted sleep products on typical, healthy infants, and there is also nothing published regarding their use in an unmonitored setting."