Investigation reveals alarming link between nursing pillows and infant deaths

An investigation by NBC News has found that nursing pillows have been involved in over 160 infant deaths, with the majority of the babies being less than 4 months old. The deaths were caused by suffocation or restricted airways, and in some cases, nursing pillows were mentioned as potential factors even if the cause of death was undetermined. Federal regulators have been aware of the hazard for decades, but it was not until 2020 that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned consumers about the dangers of nursing pillows. The CPSC is now preparing to propose new rules to make nursing pillows safer, but leading manufacturers are pushing back against regulation. A lobbying and PR campaign funded by nursing pillow manufacturers is framing the issue as a feminist cause and advocating for voluntary safety standards and consumer education instead.