Edmonton mom warns about Fisher-Price soothing seat after baby gets stuck

Stacey Staron remembers waking to the sound of her infant son's muffled cries.

She found Lukas face-down in his Fisher-Price soothing seat.

He was less than three months old.

"It never occurred to me that a baby at that age would flip over and get stuck like that," the Edmonton mother said.

She jumped out of bed and picked up her son, who was uninjured.

That night, July 27, 2018, wasthe last time she used the infant seat.

Recall of sleeper seat

On April 12, 2019, the Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeperwas recalled in the United States by Fisher-Price after more than 30 infants died over a 10-year period.

• Fisher-Price recalls Rock 'n Play sleepers in U.S. after more than 30 babies die

The U.S. recall noticesaid the infants died after they "rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, or under other circumstances."

Health Canada issued a recall on May 15, 2019, telling parents to stop usingthe Rock 'n Play sleeperproduct for overnight or naptime use.

"At present, Health Canada is not aware of any danger associated with the produce when used for supervised playtime or soothing," the recall notice said.

Approximately 2,000 Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper seats were sold by Mattel Canada, Inc. between2009 and February 2011 before they were removed from Canadian shelves,Health Canada said.

"After February 2011, an unknown number of Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleepers have been sold in Canada through unauthorized third-party sellers (not Mattel or Fisher-Price), including online," Health Canada added.

Health Canada issued asecondrecall on May 15 for Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play sleeper seats sold on Amazon.ca, advising consumers to stop using the recalled product and to contact Amazon for a refund.

A Walmart Canada spokesperson confirmed the recalled product was never sold in the company's Canadian storesbut said the Fisher-Price Sweet Snugapuppy Dreams Deluxe Rock 'n Play Soothing Seat is currently available online through Walmart Canada.

The spokesperson said "the current Canadian version called Rock 'n Play Soothing Seatmeets all Canadian guidelines."

CBC was unable to confirm if the soothing seat is sold elsewhere in Canada.

When shown the soothing seat Walmart Canadaoffers online and Mattel's listing for the Snugapuppy Dreams Deluxe Rock 'nPlay sleeper, Staron said the products look identical.

"I thought it was the same ad," she said. "One is called 'the soother' and the other is called 'the sleeper.' The sleeper is recalled from what I can see but the soother is not. But it's the exact same product."

The mother, who also runs a mom and baby social group called The Baby Bunch,said the difference in theproduct names isn't enough for parents to notice.

"Who's looking at if it's a sleeper or soother? You're still using it for the same purpose. It looks like the exact same product to me."

Walmart Canada's online description of the Snugapuppy Dreams Deluxe Rock 'nPlay Soothing Seat said its"soft, cozy fabrics, calming vibrations, and gentle rocking help soothe your baby and become part of the nap routine, giving your little one a sense of security."

The online description on the retailer's websitealso said "rock around the clock with an inclined baby seat that helps little ones rest and play!"

The federal body is "continuing to monitor the soothing seat," a Health Canada spokesperson saidafter seeing the Walmart Canada online description mentioning the words "dreams" and "nap routine."

The spokesperson said in an email that since the soothing seat "is not intended for sleep, it is not subject to the cribs, cradles and bassinets regulations."

"While these products are not subject to the regulations, Health Canada recommends that these types of products have clear labelling and instructions advising that they are not to be used for sleep," the spokesperson said.

'Completely destroy it'

Staron acknowledged she used the soothing seat as a place for her son to sleep overnight, knowing the product was not intended for that purpose.

She didn't fasten the harness the night he fell out, because she "didn't want to be fumbling with the harness to get him out" if there was an emergency.

The Rock 'n Play soothing seat was her last option forher baby, who refused to sleep in his bassinet or his playpen, she said.

"If you have a baby that will not fall asleep and all of a sudden they do, you're not about to stop them."

No incidents were reported to Health Canada regarding the Fisher-Price soothing seat between June 2011 and April 15, 2019, the department said.

Staronsaid she plans to keep the soothing seat until the product is recalled in Canada.

"I am going to make sure I completely destroy it, because I don't want anyone to get their hands on it," she said.