There have been more than 100 infant deaths associated with nursing pillows

New safety regulations for nursing pillows are coming into force next year following a string of baby deaths.

The rules require standards to prevent suffocation, falling and entrapping an infant's head movements, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

There have been 154 infant deaths and 64 injuries between 2010 and 2022 linked to nursing pillows, the CPSC said.

The pillows, which rest upon, wrap around or are worn by a caregiver while they are seated or reclined, include any that are for positioning and supporting an infant while breast or bottle feeding.

"Nursing pillows can be very useful for parents and caregivers while feeding babies," CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric said. "This rule will dramatically improve the safety of these products going forward while preserving their utility."

How to safely use nursing pillows

The CPSC said this is how to safely use nursing pillows for your baby:

Only use nursing pillows for nursing or feeding a baby. Never use nursing pillows for infant sleep or lounging.Don't place nursing pillows in other infant sleep products, such as cribs or bassinets, or anywhere a baby sleeps.Don't leave babies unattended in nursing pillows on beds, sofas, or other elevated surfaces.If the baby falls asleep while nursing or feeding, or if you start to feel like you might fall asleep, transfer the baby to a safe sleep space.The best place for an infant to sleep is a flat, bare surface such as a crib, bassinet or play yard.