American Academy of Pediatrics Makes Surprising Admission About Weighted Sleep Sacks

If you're a parent with a baby who wakes up all night long, you might be willing to try just about anything to get them to sleep — as long as it's safe. Unfortunately, sometimes popular (and even seemingly effective) methods of helping infants to sleep turn out to be super dangerous, which is why it's so important to stay informed.

Case in point: Lots of moms and dads swear by weighted sleep sacks to help their babies sleep soundly, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPCS) say these products aren't safe. In fact, "multiple fatalities" associated with weighted sleep products are currently being investigated.

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As CBS News reported, AAP president Dr. Ben Hoffman said that "anything that limits a baby's movement or impacts their ability to breathe can put them at risk" for lower oxygen levels and an increased chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

"I cannot imagine a scenario in which [weighted products] are a good thing ," said Hoffman.

Dreamland Baby CEO Tara Williams said she is currently conducting her own clinical trial on the safety of the weighted sleep sacks her company sells, but "acknowledged that no study was conducted before the products hit the market in 2018."

"When asked whether it's the manufacturer's responsibility to ensure a product's safety before it reaches the market, Williams questioned whether any other businesses conduct extensive, peer-reviewed clinical trials, which can take years, prior to a product's release. 'We're a small business. How would we have innovation in America? I mean, this is how America works,' said Williams."

Related: Dad Doesn’t Know the Difference Between a Sleep Sack and a Snowsuit

Commenters on the CBS News video were understandably disappointed with Williams' response to the AAP's statement.

"The Dreamland baby response is absolutely careless," wrote shibuya.

"Oooo I don't like the response from the Dreamland baby owner at all," wrote Mack | Vintage Hand & Home.

"Omg the Dreamland owner's response was so tone deaf," wrote Jessthestylist1.

Safe Sleep Tips for Babies

According to the AAP, "Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), which includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), is the leading cause of injury death in infancy."

To keep infants safe , parents should stick to the following recommendations:

Put babies to sleep on their backs "in their own sleep space with no other people."

Make sure baby is sleeping on "a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Avoid sleep on a couch or armchair or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car)."

Keep soft items like loose blankets , toys, pillows, and bumpers out of the sleep space.

And remember, eventually your baby will learn to sleep through the night — even if it takes a while!

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