Popular Baby Product Recalled After Infant Dies

After the tragic death of a 10-month-old infant, 4Moms is recalling millions of its MamaRoo and RockaRoo baby swings.

By Kristi Eckert | Published

This article is more than 2 years old

baby swings

An urgent recall has been issued for over 2 million baby swings. The recall was implemented after a 10-month-old infant died. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based company 4moms is voluntarily recalling its MamaRoo and RockaRoo baby swings. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) detailed the reason for the recall. The agency explained that when the baby swings are not in use the straps used to secure an infant hang loosely from the back of the motorized swing. These dangling straps pose entanglement and strangulation risks. 

The 10-month-old infant who died was strangled by the straps dangling from a MamaRoo baby swing. The child was crawling around and the child’s neck became trapped in the baby swing’s dangling straps. The infant suffocated to death as a result. 

The tragic death of the 10-month-old infant was the only fatality reported to date. However, there have numerous instances reported of children being caught up in baby swings’ hanging straps. There was one reported incident of an infant nearly suffocating to death. That infant, also 10 months of age, suffered bruising to his neck. He would have passed away had his caretaker not noticed that he had become caught up in the loose straps. 

The aforementioned close call also involved a MamaRoo swing. No incidents have been reported involving the RockaRoo to date, but as a precautionary measure, they are also being included in the recall.

The recall affects all MamaRoo models with a 3-point harness. The 3-point harness was used in versions 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0. The model numbers associated with these models are 4M-005 (versions 1.0 and 2.0), 1026, and 1037, respectively. All MamaRoo models with a 5-point harness are not affected by the recall. The RockaRoo model number included in the recall is 4M-012. All model numbers can be found on the bottom of the baby swings. 

The MamaRoo and RockaRoo baby swings by 4Moms have risen to become exceedingly popular in recent years. The swings are motorized and can be programmed to operate with different motions, at different speeds, and with different sounds. They help to soothe, calm, entertain, and lull infants to sleep. The affected models were sold nationwide at Target and BuyBuy Baby stores from January 2010 to August 2022. The affected models retailed between $160 to $250. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is advising those who have purchased the baby swings and whose infants are now crawling to immediately put the product away in a safe place out of the baby’s reach. The CPSC is then instructing all owners of the baby swings to immediately contact 4Moms to receive a strap fastener at no cost that will prevent them from dangling. The manufacturer can be reached at 877-870-7390 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST Monday through Friday. They can also be reached via email at [email protected] or via the inquiry section on the website at https://www.4momsrecall.expertinquiry.com/.