Skip This: Inclined Infant Sleepers (And What We'd Buy Instead)

Why inclined sleepers are off the table

Inclined infant sleepers — products that hold a baby at a 10-30 degree angle — have been linked to over 90 infant deaths and are federally prohibited from being manufactured, sold, or resold in the United States under the Safe Sleepsafe sleepAAP guideline: baby sleeps Alone (no blankets, pillows, bumpers, or toys), on their Back, in a Crib or bassinet with a firm flat mattress. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended for the first 6-12 months. for Babies Act of 2022.

The CPSCCPSCThe US federal agency that issues product recalls and enforces safety standards on cribs, strollers, car seats, and other juvenile products.'s own hazard analysis found that the incline can cause a baby's chin to fall toward the chest, restricting airways. The angle also accelerates the transition from back-sleeping to stomach-sleeping as babies begin rolling. Both pathways are associated with suffocation and positional asphyxia.

If you were gifted or inherited one of these — a Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play, a Kids II inclined sleeper, a SwaddleMe By Your Side Sleeper — do not use it. Do not resell it. Destroy and recycle it.

What to use instead

The AAP safe sleep ABCs are unambiguous: Alone, on the Back, in a Crib or bassinet with a firm, flat mattress and nothing else in the sleep space.

Our best cribs and bassinets guide covers every option that meets the current CPSC standard. For newborn close-sleeping, a bedside bassinet like the HALO Bassinest is the safest equivalent to what inclined sleepers tried (and failed) to provide.

What about reflux?

The original marketing pitch for inclined sleepers was reflux relief. The AAP's 2022 policy statement is explicit that positional therapy for gastroesophageal reflux in infants is not effective, and the risk of SIDSSIDSSudden Infant Death Syndrome: unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant under 1, usually during sleep. The AAP's ABCs of safe sleep (Alone, on Back, in a Crib) cut the risk by more than half. or suffocation outweighs any perceived benefit. Talk to your pediatrician about real reflux management — not gear.

FAQ

Are inclined sleepers still legal?

No. As of 2022 the Safe Sleep for Babies Act makes it illegal to manufacture, import, or sell inclined sleep products for infants in the US. The ban covers new and used sales.

What about inclined bouncers for awake time?

Bouncers and swings are fine for supervised awake time. The danger is using them for sleep. Never leave a baby to sleep in a seated or inclined device.