CSPC Issues Final Rule for Nursing Pillows

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing a final rule that sets a consumer product safety standard for nursing pillows. The new standard takes effect April 23, the comission said in a Federal Register notice.

The rule establishes mandatory performance and labeling requirements for nursing pillows, as discussed in the agency's notice of proposed rulemaking released in September 2023 (see 2309260062).

CPSC defines nursing pillows as "infant products intended to position and support an infant during breastfeeding -- also referred to as nursing -- or bottle feeding. These products generally rest upon or are 'worn' by the caregiver while seated or partially reclined. Nursing pillows are most commonly C-, U-, or crescent- (or horseshoe-) shaped to fit closely around the caregiver’s torso. However, other designs exist, including a V- or boomerang-shaped product, a round pod with a recessed center to support the infant, a stack of multiple petal-shaped pillows attached to a central tubular pillow, and E-shaped products for twins."

Removable covers or slipcovers for the nursing pillow also fall into the scope of the final rule, CPSC said.

The agency said it set a more stringent standard than the ASTM voluntary standard to safeguard against potential injuries or deaths resulting from the use of the nursing pillow. Slipcovers are not included in the ASTM voluntary standard. The voluntary standard also doesn't require an additional warning statement instructing the consumer to move the baby to an infant sleep product if the baby falls asleep or if the caregiver feels drowsy, CPSC said.

"[W]hile a number of provisions of ASTM’s voluntary standard [published Sept. 10, 2024] are substantially similar to provisions of the NPR and the final rule, the Commission determines that more stringent standards set forth in the final rule would further reduce the risk of injury associated with these products," CPSC said.

CPSC also said it's amending regulations regarding third-party conformity assessment bodies to include the safety standard for nursing pillows in the regulation's list of notices of requirements, along with identifying nursing pillows as a durable infant or toddler product subject to consumer registration requirements.