What was recalled
In June of 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a significant recall involving children’s clothing from the brand Lila + Hayes. This action was taken to address safety concerns regarding two specific styles of playwear designed for infants and toddlers: the Benton style for boys and the Eloise style for girls. These garments were marketed as comfortable, pima cotton bubble suits, featuring sleeveless designs intended for warm weather or indoor play. While the brand is known for its stylish and soft fabrics, this particular batch of inventory required immediate attention due to a structural flaw in the garment’s closure system.
The recall specifically targets items manufactured during December 2016 (marked with the code DEC16) and February 2016 (marked with the code FEB16). It is crucial for consumers to check the interior garment tags located inside the seam to verify these manufacture dates. Additionally, the label will clearly display "Lila + Hayes" along with the specific size of the garment. The Benton style was available in several colorways, including navy, white, light blue, and a distinctive blue and green ticking stripe pattern. It was sold in sizes ranging from Newborn (NB) up to 3T, catering to young boys. Similarly, the Eloise style came in navy, white, pink, and a blue and green floral print. The Eloise was also available in sizes NB through 3T, targeting young girls. Both styles feature a snap closure at the bottom for diaper access and distinctive crisscross straps that button over the shoulders on the front of the garment.
While the provided recall notice does not specify the exact total number of units sold or the specific retail locations where these items were distributed, it is important to note that this was a broad consumer product recall. The lack of specific sales volume data in the official record suggests that parents should inspect any Lila + Hayes bubble playwear purchased around late 2016 and early 2017, regardless of where it was bought, if it matches the described styles and has the identified manufacture dates. The absence of a unit count in the public filing does not diminish the seriousness of the hazard; rather, it underscores the importance of individual verification based on the physical tags and labels present on the garment itself.
If you have any Lila + Hayes bubble suits that fit this description—specifically those with shoulder buttons and the DEC16 or FEB16 date codes—you should treat them as part of this recall. The product line is distinct enough that confusion with other items is unlikely, but verifying the tag information is the only way to be certain. These garments were popular for their aesthetic appeal and soft material, which may have led many families to purchase them without realizing they were part of a safety alert until the official announcement was made.
The hazard, explained
When we talk about choking hazards in children’s clothing, we are often looking at a simple but dangerous mechanical failure: the separation of small components from the main garment. In this specific recall involving Lila + Hayes playwear, the issue centers on the buttons used to secure the crisscross straps over the shoulders. These garments feature a design where the front closure relies entirely on these buttons snapping into place. The physical mechanism that goes wrong here is straightforward—the button detaches from its attachment point on the fabric strap. While it might seem like a minor manufacturing defect, in the context of infant and toddler wear, it transforms a piece of clothing into a potential danger.
The reason this specific failure mode is so concerning lies in the developmental stage of the target demographic. Children in the sizes affected by this recall—Newborn through 3T—are naturally exploratory. They put their hands in their mouths, they chew on seams and straps during teething, and they lack the fine motor skills to carefully remove small objects once they have them. When a button detaches from the strap, it becomes a loose object within reach of a child who is lying down, crawling, or being held close by a caregiver. Because these buttons are small enough to pass through a toilet paper tube (a standard test for choking hazards), they pose a significant risk if inhaled.
A choking event occurs when an object blocks the airway, preventing air from reaching the lungs. For infants and young toddlers, whose airways are incredibly narrow, even a small button can cause a complete obstruction. This can lead to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) within minutes. The danger is compounded by the fact that these garments are often worn during play or sleep, times when a child might be alone or less directly supervised than during active feeding or interaction. If a button detaches while the child is moving around, it can easily fall into their mouth or near their face before an adult notices.
It is important to understand that this is not just about the button falling off; it is about the accessibility and size of the resulting piece. The recall notes that eight reports of buttons detaching have been received. While no injuries have been reported in this specific case, the potential for harm is severe and immediate. General safety data shows that small parts on clothing, particularly those near a child's face or mouth like collars, hoods, and shoulder straps, are common sources of accidental choking. The risk is not theoretical; it is a well-documented category of consumer product injury. By understanding that the button is no longer securely attached to the garment you are holding, you can recognize that the item has become unsafe for its intended use.
The design of this particular playwear, with its crisscross straps and shoulder buttons, places these components directly in the zone where a child’s hands and mouth frequently interact. As a child raises their arms to play or reach for toys, the straps move, and if a button is loose, it can easily dislodge. Once detached, it becomes an independent object with no tether to remind a caregiver that it belongs to the clothing. This loss of connection is what turns a safe garment into a hazardous one. Therefore, the primary goal of this section is to help you visualize exactly how a simple button failure can lead to a critical safety emergency, emphasizing why immediate action is necessary even if no injury has occurred yet.
Who is most at risk
The primary group at risk in this recall consists of infants and toddlers who are currently wearing or have recently worn the recalled Lila + Hayes Benton and Eloise playwear. Because these garments were specifically designed for newborns through 3T (approximately two to three years old), the children most vulnerable to harm are those in the developmental stages where oral exploration is a natural and critical part of learning. Babies and young toddlers frequently put objects, including parts of their clothing, into their mouths. This behavior is not a sign of misbehavior but rather a fundamental way they explore texture, shape, and material. When a button detaches from the crisscross straps or the body of the garment, it presents an immediate and severe choking hazard to this specific demographic.
The age range targeted by this recall—Newborn through 3T—covers a period of rapid physical development where airways are exceptionally small. A button that might be a minor nuisance to an older child or an adult could easily obstruct the windpipe of a baby under six months old. The hazard is particularly acute because the buttons on these garments are located on the straps that go over the shoulders. As infants move, wiggle, and grow, they may tug at these straps, potentially loosening the button attachment points. If a button detaches while the child is lying down or sleeping, it can remain in close proximity to their face, increasing the likelihood of ingestion or airway obstruction.
It is also important to consider the caregivers and parents who purchase this clothing. While they are not at direct physical risk from the button itself, they face the emotional and logistical stress of discovering a safety defect in an item they believed was safe for their child. The recall affects garments manufactured in December 2016 (DEC16) and February 2016 (FEB16). Parents who have stored these items for hand-me-downs, or who purchased them second-hand, may not realize the item is part of a safety recall until they inspect the tag. These caregivers are at risk of inadvertently exposing their children to danger if they do not actively check the manufacturing codes and size labels. The Benton style, sold in navy, white, light blue, and blue and green ticking stripes, and the Eloise style, available in navy, white, pink, and blue and green floral, may appear perfectly new and safe to the eye, masking the underlying mechanical failure of the button attachment.
Furthermore, the fact that eight reports of buttons detaching have been received indicates that this is not a rare occurrence but a recurring defect. This means that any child wearing these specific styles is part of a larger group potentially exposed to the same risk. The absence of reported injuries so far is fortunate, but it does not eliminate the risk; it simply means no serious harm has occurred yet. Therefore, all children who fit the size and date criteria—NB through 3T with DEC16 or FEB16 codes—are considered at potential risk until the garment is removed from their wardrobe and returned for a full refund.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
If you purchased children’s playwear from Lila + Hayes, it is important to verify whether your specific garment is part of this recall before taking any further action. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified two distinct styles that are affected: the Benton and the Eloise. Both items are made from pima cotton and feature a sleeveless design with a snap closure at the bottom, but they differ significantly in their strap construction and intended demographic. To determine if you own one of these recalled items, you need to look closely at the physical characteristics of the garment and, most critically, the tags sewn into the fabric.
First, identify the style by examining the shoulder straps. The Benton style is characterized by crisscross straps that button over the shoulders on the front of the garment. This style was marketed for boys and came in four color options: navy, white, light blue, and blue and green ticking stripes. If your garment has buttons on the front shoulder straps, it is likely the Benton style. The Eloise style, designed for girls, also features crisscross straps but buttons them over the shoulders on the front as well. The Eloise was available in navy, white, pink, and blue and green floral patterns. While both styles share similar construction elements like the snap closure at the bottom, the color palette and the specific labeling will help you distinguish between them.
Once you have identified the style, check the size range to ensure it falls within the recalled parameters. Both the Benton and Eloise styles were sold in sizes NB (newborn), 0-24 months, 2T, and 3T. If your garment is outside these age ranges, it is not part of this specific recall notice. However, size alone is not enough to confirm the issue; you must inspect the interior tags for manufacturing dates. Look inside the seam of the garment for a tag that displays the manufacture date code. The recalled items were produced in December 2016 (marked as DEC16) or February 2016 (marked as FEB16). If your tag shows either of these codes, your item is included in the recall.
Finally, verify the branding to ensure you have an authentic Lila + Hayes product. The brand name "Lila + Hayes" along with the garment size should be printed on the inside of the back of the garment. If you cannot find these specific details or if the date codes do not match, your item is likely safe and not part of this recall. When in doubt, it is always best to double-check by contacting Lila + Hayes directly using the contact information provided in this notice.
What to do — step by step
If you own the recalled Lila + Hayes children’s playwear, the most important thing you can do right now is prioritize safety over convenience. The recall notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is clear: you must immediately stop using these garments. This means taking them out of your child’s wardrobe and keeping them away from reach until you have resolved the issue. Do not donate, sell, or give the item to anyone else, as the choking hazard remains for any young child who might encounter it. The goal here is simple prevention; by removing the product from circulation in your home, you eliminate the risk of a button detaching and causing harm during play or sleep. Once you have secured the garment safely out of reach, your next step is to initiate the return process with Lila + Hayes. The company has set up a straightforward remedy for this recall, which involves providing a pre-paid mailer envelope for you to return the item. To get started, you need to contact them directly. You can do this by calling their dedicated recall hotline at 855-850-1308. Their customer service team is available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. When you call, be prepared to provide specific details about your item to verify that it falls under this recall. Specifically, mention the style name (Benton for boys or Eloise for girls), the size, and the manufacture date code found on the inside tag. If you prefer not to call, you can visit their website at www.lilaandhayes.com. Navigate to the bottom of the homepage and click on the "Recall" link to access the necessary information and instructions online. After you have contacted Lila + Hayes through either phone or the online portal, they will send you a pre-paid mailer envelope. This is designed to make the return process as frictionless as possible for you. You do not need to pay for shipping costs yourself. Once the envelope arrives, place the recalled playwear inside it and seal it securely. Drop it off at your local postal service or designated pickup point. It is helpful to keep a record of your return tracking number in case you need to follow up on the status of your refund. Finally, understand that the remedy for this recall is a full refund. You are not being asked to repair the garment or accept store credit; you will receive your money back for the purchase price. This financial restitution acknowledges the inconvenience and, more importantly, the safety risk posed by the defective buttons. By completing these steps promptly, you ensure your child’s safety while securing your refund. If you have any questions during this process, do not hesitate to use the contact methods provided by Lila + Hayes, as they are there to assist you through the resolution.Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you have determined that one of the recalled Lila + Hayes children’s playwear items is in your possession, the primary remedy offered by the manufacturer is a full refund. It is important to understand that there is no option for repair or replacement with a corrected version of the product. Because the hazard involves buttons detaching from the garment straps—a defect rooted in the construction and attachment method—the company has chosen to remove the entire inventory from circulation rather than attempting to fix individual units. This decision makes sense when you consider the nature of the risk: if a button fails once, it is difficult to guarantee that a repaired button will not fail again under the stress of a toddler’s movement or chewing. Therefore, the only safe and official course of action is to return the item entirely.
The process for receiving your refund is designed to be as frictionless and cost-free as possible for you. Lila + Hayes has arranged for a pre-paid mailer envelope to be sent to consumers who contact them. This means you do not need to pay for postage or shipping to return the garment. The company absorbs this cost as part of their responsibility to correct the safety issue. To initiate this process, you must reach out to the company directly. You can do this by calling their dedicated recall hotline at 855-850-1308. Their customer service team is available to assist you from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. If you prefer to handle the logistics online, you can visit their website at www.lilaandhayes.com. Once on the site, please scroll to the very bottom of the page and click on the link labeled "Recall." This section will provide further specific instructions for your return.
When you contact Lila + Hayes, be prepared to provide details that help them identify your specific item. While you do not need to send the item before calling, having the garment tag information ready will speed up the process. Recall this that the manufacture dates codes for December 2016 (DEC16) and February 2016 (FEB16) are printed on the inside garment tag located inside the seam. Additionally, "Lila + Hayes" and the garment size are printed on the inside of the back of the garment. Providing these details confirms that your item falls within the scope of this recall.
It is worth noting why a refund is the chosen remedy rather than a replacement. The recall involves eight reports of buttons detaching from the straps, with no injuries reported to date. However, the potential for choking remains serious. By issuing a full refund and requiring the return of the garment, Lila + Hayes ensures that these unsafe items are removed from homes completely. This prevents any future risk from the recalled product while compensating you for the inconvenience. Once you have returned the item using the pre-paid envelope, your refund will be processed according to the instructions given by their customer service team. Please do not dispose of the garment yourself before contacting them, as they may need to verify the return or provide specific disposal guidance in some cases, though the primary focus is on obtaining the item back safely.
What can happen if you ignore it
It is entirely understandable why a parent might hesitate to take action regarding a recall. The garment in question is made of soft pima cotton, designed for comfort and ease of use during playtime. When the issue seems minor—just a button that could potentially come loose—it is easy to rationalize continuing to wear the outfit for special occasions or photo shoots. However, ignoring this specific defect transforms a simple clothing item into a significant safety risk that you did not intend to create. The core danger here is not structural failure of the fabric or a chemical hazard, but rather the mechanical detachment of small components. By choosing to keep and use the recalled Benton or Eloise playwear, you are allowing your child to remain in close contact with loose buttons that have already proven unstable under normal conditions.
The primary consequence of ignoring this recall is the real and immediate threat of choking. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented eight separate incidents where these buttons detached from the crisscross straps while the garments were being worn. While it is reassuring to know that no injuries have been reported to date, the absence of injury in past reports does not guarantee safety for your specific child every time they wear the item. Choking on small objects like buttons is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children under the age of three. A detached button can easily slip into a young child’s mouth before an adult has time to react, especially since infants and toddlers explore the world by putting things in their mouths. Once a button is lodged in the airway, it can obstruct breathing within minutes, leading to severe brain damage or death if not treated immediately.
Beyond the acute risk of choking, there is the risk of aspiration. Even if the button does not block the airway completely, it could be swallowed and become lodged in the esophagus or pass further into the digestive tract, potentially causing internal injury or requiring surgical intervention to remove. This turns a manageable inconvenience—a lost shirt—into a medical emergency. Furthermore, relying on the garment’s durability after knowing it is defective creates a false sense of security. The manufacture dates from December 2016 and February 2016 indicate these items have been in circulation for some time, and wear and tear from washing and playing can accelerate the detachment process. Continuing to use these items ignores the manufacturer’s own assessment that the button attachment method is fundamentally unsafe for its intended use. The consequence of inaction is essentially gambling with your child’s safety on a hazard that has already caused eight known failures. There is no benefit to keeping the playwear, as the remedy offers a full refund, but there is a profound cost to ignoring the warning.
- Immediate Choking Risk: Detached buttons can obstruct the airway, a leading cause of accidental death in young children.
- Internal Injury: Swallowed buttons can cause blockages or damage within the digestive system.
- Escalating Hazard: General wear and tear will likely make future detachments more frequent and unpredictable.
Staying safe: broader tips
While this specific recall addresses a manufacturing defect in children’s playwear, the underlying safety principle applies to many items we bring into our homes: small detachable parts can become serious choking hazards for infants and toddlers. Young children explore their world primarily through touch and taste, often putting objects in their mouths before they have the motor skills or cognitive awareness to recognize danger. This behavior makes it essential for caregivers to regularly inspect children’s clothing, especially items with buttons, snaps, sequins, or beads. You should gently tug on any decorations or closures to ensure they are securely attached. If you notice a button is loose, fraying stitching, or a snap that doesn’t click firmly into place, remove the garment from your child’s wardrobe immediately and contact the manufacturer for repair instructions or a replacement. Do not attempt to sew it back on yourself unless you are confident in your ability to make it secure, as improper repairs can create new sharp edges or loose threads that pose additional risks.
Beyond clothing, it is wise to establish a routine of checking for product recalls relevant to the items your family uses daily. Many parents rely on memory or convenience when purchasing goods, but safety standards evolve, and manufacturers occasionally discover issues after products have been shipped. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a robust database of recalls that covers everything from cribs and strollers to electronics and toys. By signing up for email alerts on the CPSC website or following their social media channels, you can stay informed about new safety notices without having to constantly search for them. This proactive approach ensures that you are never caught off guard by a sudden hazard, allowing you to act quickly before an incident occurs.
Additionally, consider creating a safe environment by conducting regular "crawl-level" inspections of your home. Get down on your hands and knees to see what a child might see and touch. Look for small objects that could be swallowed, such as coins, batteries, or broken toy parts, particularly in areas where children play frequently. Keep a dedicated bag for loose items like jewelry or hair accessories when you are actively playing with young children, ensuring they do not end up within reach. Finally, familiarize yourself with the age recommendations on toys and products. These guidelines are based on developmental stages and safety testing; ignoring them can lead to situations where a child interacts with parts that are too small for their developmental stage. By staying vigilant and informed, you create a safer home environment that supports your child’s curiosity while minimizing risk.