Berwyn-Based Nap Nanny Co Fires Back at Feds
The Nap Nanny is designed to help babies sleep but it's been linked to five infant deaths. Now the inventor is firing back.
Don't blame her product, blame the people who fail to read the directions and use her product properly.
That's the upshot of a statement issued Thursday by Leslie Gudel, inventor and owner of the Nap Nanny. The device is a contoured baby-holding device designed to make infants more comfortable and more able to sleep.
It has now been linked to five deaths and the Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a stop-selling order against the company.
Gudel, the local mom and Comcast sports reporter who invented the device issued a statement on the company's website saying that she has been working closely with CPSC and this stop-selling order caught her by surprise. In the statement, which can be found in full on the nap nanny website, Gudel says the problem is with consumers who don't read the instructions which are clearly marked on the baby recliner. The device is supposed to be placed on a hard floor only and not supposed to be put in a crib. According to the directions and warning on the Nap Nanny the baby must be clicked into the harness.
In her company statement Gudel responds to the government order:
Today the CPSC filed an administrative complaint against our company seeking legal authority to stop the sale of all Nap Nanny recliners on the theory that the Nap Nanny is a hazardous product. We do not believe the complaint has merit and stand behind the safety of our product when used as instructed.
The CPSC’s complaint notes that five infants have died “while using” the Nap Nanny. The loss of an infant is an unthinkable tragedy, and I am truly heartbroken for the families who have lost a child. But the fact that infants have died “while using” the Nap Nanny improperly, such as when used in a crib where the child could suffocate on a crib bumper or a blanket, does not mean our product caused the child’s death or is hazardous.
We at Nap Nanny went to great lengths to make the safest product possible. Nap Nanny has helped thousands of babies and their tired parents the last four years. No infant using the Nap Nanny properly has ever suffered an injury requiring medical attention. The Nap Nanny was designed and constructed for use only on the floor with the harness secured.
Nap nanny has reportedly been forced to shut down operations and lay off 13 people as a result of the order.
Julia
7:11 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
If someone is killed in a car accident as a result of not using their seatbelt, the car manufacturer isn't asked to take the car off the market! People need to ensure they know how to use products correctly.
Linda G
8:35 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Yes, I agree with the founder of "Nap Nanny", I lost a brother in a car accident in the 70's. Do I sue the telephone company for the pole he hit??? We need to stop the law suits and realize that this was a horrible tragic loss for the families involve.
Melanie
11:11 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Man I wish we had this for our son 10 years ago!! What a BRILLIANT invention!! I can't imagine losing a baby like that but I also don't see how the manufacturer is responsible? THis is a great sleeping device for babies who have Reflux and can't sleep flat. People need to read the instructions and act accordingly and stop laying blame!
jonathan yeagley
1:35 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
Our government is out of control
Jennifer
10:09 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
If your baby was one of the five that died using this product you would be screaming that the government force napnanny to take it off the market. Not one baby should die because of an unecessary product. Don't blame the parents for a dangerous product. People should be allowed to get their money back. Closing your business to prevent that isn't right.
James
7:14 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Jennifer you are an idiot for even trying to blame the product it's mainly the parents fault for not following instructions when there is a big warning label and instructions to be followed. That's bad parenting skills and not watching out for the child. It's like suing McDonalds because you got fat for eating their food everyday without excercise.