Companies that make weighted sleepwear for babies claim their products are safe and help babies sleep, but a growing number of medical experts, safe sleep advocates and government regulators are warning that the garments could be dangerous.
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A group of federal lawmakers wants to ban weighted sleepwear for infants, citing concerns that the garments could harm young babies. Federal data shows that at least five infant deaths have been linked to the products.
Companies that make weighted sleepwear for newborns and infants claim their products are safe and help exhausted parents by helping young children get restful sleep.
But a growing number of medical experts, safe sleep advocates and government regulators have urged caregivers to avoid the items, arguing that there is no evidence that weighted infant sleepwear is safe and that, in fact, it could prevent young babies from breathing, pumping blood and moving freely.
“The stakes are simply too high to allow weighted infant sleep sacks and swaddles to remain on the market without proof of their safety,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, said in a statement.
The Protecting Infants from Unsafe Sleep Act, which has been introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives, would ban wearable blankets, sleep sacks and swaddles that contain extra weight “for purposes other than insulation or decoration” for children 1 year old and younger.
“In today’s world, many consumers assume that if a product is sold, it must be safe, especially if it is intended for babies. However, that is not always the case,” Michelle Barry, founder and president of the nonprofit Safe Infant Sleep, said in a statement. “This legislation is a critical step toward protecting our youngest and most precious citizens.”
Manasi Gangan, CEO of Nested Bean, which makes and sells weighted sleepwear for babies, criticized the bill as “anti-science” and said she opposed it.
“The bill proposed by Senator Blumenthal and Congressman Cardenas reinforces unreasonable government interference without any data and does not serve the public interest,” Gangan said in an email to NPR. California Democratic Representative Tony Cardenas is one of the sponsors of the legislation.
Gangan has previously called for a product standard on weighted sleepwear for infants and noted that Nested Bean has sold more than 2.5 million units since 2011.
“While our business has suffered due to the reckless statements of government officials, our customers – each a parent, grandparent or loving caregiver – stand with us,” she added.
Dreamland Baby, the other major maker of weighted baby sleepwear, did not immediately respond to NPR’s request for comment.
Patty Davis, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said the agency is aware of five deaths linked to weighted infant sleep products. “Because investigations into these incidents are ongoing, we are unable to provide additional details,” Davis said. Gangan said authorities have not attributed any deaths to a Nested Bean product.
Data released by the CPSC shows five deaths involving weighted sleepwear between 2022 and 2024. The children who died were between one and six months old.
The CPSC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all expressed concerns about the potential dangers of weighted sleepwear for infants.
Additionally, a number of major retailers have recently removed the products from their stores, including Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
A group of safe sleep advocates, industry leaders and CPSC officials are also working on a possible voluntary standard for infant sleep products, which could include weighted clothing.
