Why Some Baby Bassinets Remain on the Market Despite Serious Suffocation Risks

Parents trust that products made for their newborns meet the highest safety standards, but recent revelations from Consumer Reports (CR) have raised red flags about the Halo BassiNest Flex portable bassinet. This bassinet, marketed for its convenience and ease of use, has come under scrutiny for design flaws that could put infants at serious risk of suffocation or entrapment. CR’s testing and parent-reported complaints have confirmed that the bassinet’s cantilevered structure may tilt under a baby’s weight, failing to provide the flat and firm surface required for safe infant sleep.

The cantilevered design allows the bassinet to be pulled closer to the bedside, but the lack of structural support on one side has led to sloping, especially when a baby is placed inside. This tilted surface contradicts the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) safe sleep guidelines, which emphasize that infants should sleep alone, on their backs, on a firm, flat surface free from any incline, pillows, or soft bedding. A sloped surface increases the risk that an infant could roll into a corner or end up face down, potentially leading to suffocation.

Despite this risk, the Halo BassiNest Flex has not been recalled. Meanwhile, class action lawsuits related to the bassinet have already resulted in settlements, and yet the product remains available for sale. As these lawsuits suggest, there is mounting legal pressure to hold manufacturers accountable when their products violate public safety expectations and industry best practices.

CPSC Staffing Cuts and the Erosion of Consumer Safety Oversight

The situation becomes more troubling in the context of proposed cuts to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the federal agency responsible for regulating infant sleep products. The CPSC has historically played a critical role in removing unsafe baby products from the market, including banning drop-side cribs, crib bumper pads, and inclined sleepers linked to dozens of infant deaths.

However, with recent budget cut proposals and agency downsizing, the CPSC’s ability to monitor, test, and act swiftly against defective products may be compromised. Reduced staffing means slower responses to emerging hazards, fewer investigations, and less pressure on manufacturers to issue voluntary recalls or redesign flawed products. The continued presence of dangerous bassinets like the Halo BassiNest Flex on store shelves reflects the widening gaps in regulatory enforcement.

As public trust in product safety oversight erodes, it falls to individual consumers—and their legal advocates—to demand accountability from negligent companies. When government fails to act, litigation becomes an essential tool to protect families and effect change in the marketplace. 

Understanding the Dangers of a Tilting Bassinet

Consumer Reports’ investigation found that when weight was applied to the Halo BassiNest Flex, the sleep surface tilted significantly toward the unsupported side. Such a tilt may not be visible until a baby is inside. If the infant rolls toward the downward slope, the baby’s head and airway may become restricted, posing a serious risk of positional asphyxiation. This risk becomes even more urgent when one considers that infants do not have the neck

strength to reposition themselves. A slight incline can trap a baby in a face-down or face-pressed position, interfering with breathing and leading to tragic outcomes. Many parents rely on online product reviews and assume a product on the market has passed rigorous safety testing. In this case, parents who bought the Halo BassiNest Flex may not have known that their child was sleeping in a potentially unsafe environment.

Medical professionals and safety organizations have consistently warned about inclined sleep surfaces and soft bedding. The AAP’s guidance is clear: babies should always be placed on a flat, firm sleep surface, such as a safety-certified crib or bassinet. Products that fail to maintain this standard create a hidden hazard that puts lives at risk.

Legal Options for Families Harmed by Dangerous Infant Sleep Products

If your child suffered injury—or worse—while using a bassinet that failed to provide a stable, flat sleeping surface, you may be entitled to pursue legal action. Manufacturers have a duty to design products that meet federal safety standards and do not pose unreasonable risks. When they fail to uphold this duty, they can be held accountable through product liability lawsuits.

These lawsuits often allege one or more of the following:

• Defective product design
• Failure to warn consumers of known risks
• Negligent manufacturing practices
• Violation of federal safety standards

Victims and families can pursue damages for:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral and burial expenses (in wrongful death cases)
• Loss of companionship and emotional trauma

In situations where manufacturers have already settled class actions, individual families may still have viable legal claims. Each case is unique, and it’s important to consult with experienced product liability attorneys who can evaluate the circumstances of your claim and advocate for justice on your behalf. 

The Importance of Acting Quickly and Preserving Evidence

Product liability cases are time-sensitive. Each state has its own statute of limitations that determines how long victims have to file a claim. If your child was harmed or died while using a defective bassinet, taking immediate action can make all the difference in building a successful legal case.

Important steps include:

• Preserving the product and all packaging
• Documenting the incident with photos and medical records
• Retaining proof of purchase or receipts
• Recording your observations and any previous product malfunctions

Even if the product has not been officially recalled, you may still have a case. Courts can and do hold manufacturers accountable for injuries caused by unreasonably dangerous products that remained on the market due to regulatory delays or inaction.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For a Free Case Review

If your infant was injured or killed while using a defective or unsafe bassinet like the Halo BassiNest Flex, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The national product liability attorneys at Parker Waichman LLP are here to fight for families like yours. Our legal team has a proven record of holding negligent manufacturers accountable and securing justice for victims of dangerous consumer products. Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) now for a free, confidential consultation and let us help you protect your family’s rights.