Local pediatric sleep consultant offers recommendations after Rock 'n Play recall

Fisher-Price's Rock 'n Play Sleepers were popular among parents who called it a "miracle sleeper," but pediatric sleep consultant Amanda Webb calls them dangerous.

Webb, who owns Sleepy Apple, a pediatric sleep consulting website, said Friday, the non-flat surface of the Rock 'n Play has never been safe because it causes the baby's head to tilt forward chin to chest and obstruct the airway.

Webb recommends infants to sleep in a crib that doesn't restrict movement during sleep. She said sleeping in the Rock ‘n Play on an incline and with wraparound padded sides suppresses babies’ involuntary movements, leading to increased ability to self-soothe and longer periods of unbroken sleep compared to an infant sleeping unswaddled on a flat surface.

"You can achieve that same movement suppression and unbroken sleep in a much safer way with a simple swaddle in a crib," said Webb.

You can visit the

for more sleeping guidelines for children or email Webb directly at, Amanda@sleepyapple.com.