Parents warned about danger of 'baby sleep pillows' after infant deaths

Parents are being urged not to use "baby sleep pillows" for babies under 12 months old because of their links to deaths in the UK and overseas.

The safety alert, from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), highlights the risk of potentially fatal suffocation and overheating when using a range of similar products. "The main harms are suffocation and overheating which can lead to serious injury or death in babies," the watchdog said.

"These harms can occur when a baby is placed on the 'baby sleep pillow' unattended or for sleep including when the pillow is put into a cot or crib." What are 'baby sleep pillows' and why are they dangerous? 'Baby Sleep Pillows' are products which are marketed or intended to be used as pillows or cushions for babies to sleep or be placed on or with unsupervised. The OPSS said the soft, squishy materials can cover a baby's mouth and nose if they are pressed against it and could cause the baby to suffocate.

Overheating is another potentially fatal risk. If a baby is sleeping on a soft surface that their head can sink into, heat is prevented from escaping and they can get too hot.

There is a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome if a baby overheats. The agency is warning parents and carers to be aware of signs of overheating, including a baby feeling hot on their tummy, sweating, especially from the face and head, being irritable or breathing faster than usual.

Other common names for these products include, but are not limited to: Baby Anti-stress CushionBaby Comfort CushionBaby Cuddle CushionBaby Hug PillowBaby PillowSleeping PillowStuffed PillowBaby Sleep CushionExhaust Pillow Read more from Sky News:Hundreds of artefacts stolen from museum in Bristol First civilians killed in Thailand as conflict with Cambodia erupts Businesses will now have to make sure that any pillow or cushion product they manufacture, import or sell is not marketed as a sleep pillow for babies under 12 months old. They must also ensure that clear warnings are included with any cushion or pillow product where there is a reasonable expectation that it may be misused for baby sleep.

The OPSS said parents and carers should contact businesses directly to discuss redress if such a product was marketed for baby sleep or to be used unattended. It says they may be "entitled to redress under the Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024".

The product safety alert does not apply to nursing pillows or other pillows designed and marketed to be used only for breastfeeding. It also does not apply to baby or cot mattresses which comply with British Standard or for pillows for children over 12 months old..