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CPSC reported that 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] No incidents or injuries have been reported. [1]
Piper & Posie Style Numbers
Six Piper & Posie style numbers were recalled: CL00819, CL00923, CL00982, CL01005, CL01006, and CL01007. These style numbers are printed on labels located on the inside side seams behind the care labels.
Part of Larger Multi-Brand Recall
This wasn’t just a Piper & Posie problem. The recall affected sleep bags sold under 10 different brand names, all with the same dangerous sizing flaw in the neck opening.
How to Identify the Sleep Bags
The brand name and size appear on two separate labels at the back of the neck. Look for the Piper & Posie name tag and the 0-6 months size marking.
Zipper Styles and Patterns
These sleep bags came with zippers either up the middle or to the side of the front. They were sold in various designs including animals, florals, clouds, and other patterns parents typically choose for nurseries.
Sold at Popular Discount Stores
Parents purchased these sleep bags at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores across the country, as well as online through tjmaxx.com, marshalls.com, and sierra.com. The bags sold for around $20 between April 2018 and February 2021.
Why the Neck Opening Matters
When a neck opening is too big, an infant can wiggle down into the sleep bag. Their head may then slip inside, causing the fabric to cover their face and block their ability to breathe.
Young Infants at Greatest Risk
Babies under 6 months old are particularly vulnerable because they can’t easily move fabric away from their faces. They lack the motor skills and strength to free themselves if they become covered.
The Danger of Fabric Over the Face
When soft fabric covers an infant’s nose and mouth, it prevents fresh air from reaching them. The baby continues breathing in the same air, which quickly becomes depleted of oxygen.
Carbon Dioxide Buildup
As the baby exhales into the enclosed space created by the fabric, carbon dioxide accumulates. This buildup further reduces the oxygen available and can lead to unconsciousness.
Full Refund or Gift Card Available
TJX is offering consumers their choice of a full refund or a store gift card. The company has different contact information depending on whether you bought the sleep bag online or in a physical store.
Manufacturing Across Two Countries
These sleep bags were manufactured in both China and India. Despite being made in different countries, the products shared the same design defect in the neck opening measurements.
Design Flaw in Sizing
The sleep bags were defectively designed because the neck openings didn’t match the physical proportions of infants in the 0-6 month age range. Safe infant sleepwear must have neck openings sized to prevent babies from slipping inside.
Failure to Test Properly
TJX failed to adequately test whether the neck openings were appropriate for the youngest babies. Proper testing would have revealed that infants could slip through openings that were meant to go around their necks.
Quality Control Breakdown
The fact that this defect appeared across multiple brands, styles, and manufacturing locations points to a systemic quality control failure. Someone should have caught this sizing problem before the products reached store shelves.
Breach of Safety Standards
Infant sleep products must meet basic safety requirements. Selling sleep bags that create suffocation hazards violates the implied promise that products designed for babies will be safe for their intended use.
Putting Profits Before Safety
By failing to ensure proper neck opening sizes before selling these products to parents, TJX prioritized getting merchandise to market over verifying its safety. This represents a failure to protect the most vulnerable consumers.
Contact an Attorney
If your infant experienced breathing difficulties while using a Piper & Posie sleep bag, you may want to speak with a product liability attorney. Keep the sleep bag with all labels intact, along with your receipt and any medical records.
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