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TJX Companies Inc. announced on May 5, 2021 that it is recalling approximately 3,600 infant sleep bags sold at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Sierra because the size of the neck opening is too large for infants 0 to 6 months, which can allow an infant’s head to slip into and be covered by the sleep bag, posing a risk of suffocation. [1] The recall includes sleep bags in size 0-6 months sold under ten brand names between April 2018 and February 2021, with no incidents or injuries reported. [1]
Oversized Neck Opening Defect
The recalled infant sleep bags contain neck openings that exceed safe dimensions for infants 0-6 months old. These oversized neck openings allow babies’ heads to slip downward inside the sleep bags, causing the fabric to cover their faces and block airways.
When an infant’s head slips into the sleep bag body, the fabric surrounds the face and restricts breathing. Infants lack the motor skills and strength to reposition themselves or remove fabric covering their airways, leading to asphyxiation and death.
Ten Brand Names Recalled
The recall affects infant sleep bags sold under ten brand names with 38 style numbers:
- Dylan & Abby – Style CL01073
- First Wish – Styles CL00824, CL00889, CL00911
- First Wish Organic – Styles CL00981, CL00985, CL01099
- Harry & Me – Style CL01102
- Little Red Caboose – Styles CL00756, CL00882, CL00899, CL00904, CL00905, CL00921, CL00924, CL00986, CL00987
- Piper & Posie – Styles CL00819, CL00923, CL00982, CL01005, CL01006, CL01007
- Sam & Jo – Styles CL00871, CL00890, CL00903, CL00906, CL00983, CL00984
- Sam & Jo Organic – Style CL01066
- Shabby Chic – Style CL00980
- Willow Blossom – Styles CL00909, CL00913
Product Identification
The brand name and size are printed on two separate labels at the back of the neck, while style numbers are printed on labels located on the inside side seam behind care labels. The sleep bags zip up the middle or to the side of the front and were sold in various colors and designs including animals, dinosaur bones, splatter paint, circus designs, construction, cars, florals, clouds, robots, stars, dino dudes, monsters, and firetrucks.
Distribution and Sales
TJX sold the recalled infant sleep bags at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores nationwide and online at tjmaxx.com, marshalls.com, and sierra.com between April 2018 and February 2021 for approximately $20. TJX Companies Inc. of Framingham, Massachusetts imported the sleep bags manufactured in China and India.
No Injuries Reported
TJX stated no incidents or injuries have been reported as of the recall date. However, the absence of reported injuries does not eliminate liability for manufacturing and selling infant sleep products with design defects that create life-threatening suffocation hazards.
Remedy Provisions
Consumers should immediately stop using recalled infant sleep bags and contact TJX for instructions to receive either a full refund or store gift card. Customers who purchased online should contact TJX at ecommercecustomerservice@tjx.com or 833-888-0776, while in-store purchasers should contact customerservice@tjx.com or 800-926-6299.
Design Defect
The oversized neck openings represent fundamental design defects that render the sleep bags unsafe for their intended use with infants 0-6 months old. TJX failed to design neck openings appropriately sized to prevent infants’ heads from slipping into the sleep bag bodies and being covered by fabric.
Manufacturing and Quality Control Failures
The recall affecting ten brand names and 38 style numbers demonstrates systemic manufacturing and quality control failures across TJX’s entire infant sleep bag product line. The company failed to implement adequate testing and inspection protocols to identify oversized neck openings before distributing dangerous sleep bags to retailers nationwide.
Infant Suffocation Risks
Suffocation is a leading cause of injury-related death among infants under one year old. When fabric covers an infant’s face, reduced oxygen intake causes asphyxiation, brain damage, and death within minutes.
Infants sleeping in bags with oversized neck openings face heightened suffocation risks during normal sleep movements. As babies shift positions or attempt to roll, their heads can slip downward into the sleep bag body, causing fabric to cover airways without parents’ knowledge.
Safe Infant Sleep Standards
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants sleep on firm, flat surfaces without loose bedding, pillows, or soft objects that can obstruct breathing. Properly designed infant sleep bags should feature snug-fitting neck openings that prevent babies’ heads from slipping inside while allowing adequate room for comfort.
Legal Claims
Strict products liability claims allege TJX manufactured and sold defective infant sleep bags with oversized neck openings that create unreasonable suffocation dangers. Design defect claims assert the neck opening dimensions are inherently flawed and incapable of safely containing infants 0-6 months old.
Negligence claims allege TJX breached its duty to design safe infant sleep products and implement adequate quality control testing to identify dangerous neck openings before distribution. Failure to warn claims assert TJX failed to warn consumers that sleep bags pose suffocation risks for infants whose heads can slip inside.
Wrongful Death Claims
Families of infants who died from suffocation in recalled Dylan & Abby or other TJX brand sleep bags may pursue wrongful death claims for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, emotional devastation, and punitive damages. Infant deaths from defective sleep products constitute tragic losses warranting substantial compensation.
Personal Injury Claims
Infants who suffered oxygen deprivation, brain injuries, or other harm from suffocation incidents in recalled sleep bags may recover damages for medical expenses, long-term care costs, permanent disabilities, and pain and suffering. Parents may also seek damages for emotional distress from discovering their children in life-threatening situations.
Economic Loss
Consumers who purchased recalled infant sleep bags suffered economic losses from buying defective products unsafe for intended use. Even without experiencing injuries, families paid for infant sleep products but received dangerous items requiring immediate disposal.
Contact an Attorney
If your infant was injured or died while using a recalled Dylan & Abby or other TJX brand infant sleep bag, contact a product liability attorney immediately. Preserve the sleep bag with brand and style labels, purchase receipts, photographs, medical records, and all communications with TJX regarding the recall.
References
1. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/TJX-Recalls-Infant-Sleep-Bags-Due-to-Suffocation-Risk-Sold-at-T-J-Maxx-Marshalls-and-Sierra