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Baby Slings Can Kill, Feds Warn

Infants can smother if they slip into wrong position

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 10, 2010 4:32 AM CST
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(Newser) – Baby slings can suffocate infants, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning. The agency is preparing to issue a warning on the popular infant carriers, AP reports. "We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazard scenarios for very small babies," agency chief Inez Tenenbaum said yesterday. "The time has come to alert parents and caregivers."

Tenenbaum said the agency aims to help parents "make a decision that is best for the safety of their baby, while realizing that slings play a role in the bonding of baby and mother in many cultures." No specific brand or design of sling was mentioned. Experts say the slings can be dangerous if the baby falls into a chin-to-chest position, restricting its ability to breathe.

The US government is preparing a safety warning about baby slings.
The US government is preparing a safety warning about baby slings.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A baby is carried in a sling in this image provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
A baby is carried in a sling in this image provided by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.   (CPSC)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
ashbash584
Dec 9, 2010 12:30 PM CST
The slings that were recalled always looked unsafe to me. I cringed seeing a baby pretty much folded up in them and hanging down at mom or dad's waist. That is NOT how you baby wear and it's a shame they are tarnishing all slings. Baby should be up on your chest and always visible. I learned loads about various carriers at http://www.ababycarrier.com. When practiced safely, babywearing is an invaluable tool and amazing experience.
Alice K Thibodeau
Mar 11, 2010 11:42 AM CST
The design of this baby sling invites trouble. I used a "Pleat Seat" from Gerry for all four of my now-grown children. The pleat seat was NOT an all encompassing, hands-free baby carrier. It was intended as the name describes- to be a "seat" for a small child up to 18 months or so. The person who used a pleat seat kept an arm under the baby's head, the baby's torso was supported by the seat and the baby's legs dangled outside of the sling. The strap of the sling went over the opposite shoulder from the "seat", and was adjustable for comfort. My babies never became invisible, i.e., out of sight. The seat, holding the baby's t tush, rested on my hip that was opposite from where the "strap" of the pleat seat was slung.It was helpful in that it took most of the baby's weight from my arm and put it on my hip. If I wanted to, I could put one of the baby's legs in front of me and the other behind me. The pleat seat was especially useful before the baby could hold up his head well enough to ride in the Gerry baby backpack. We bought our first pleat seat as well as a framed baby back pack in 1967. Current framed baby back packs can be bought with under-the-seat storage, side pockets, sun and rain shields, etc. I have not seen a pleat seat anywhere. I have seen very complicated "slings" which have so much fabric that both adult and baby can be "lost", if the adult can even figure out how to put these "slings" on. I am in the midst of making a pleat seat for my daughter to use with her baby, and my fifth grandchild

 
baby • child safety • Consumer Product Safety Commission • baby sling • baby sling safety warning

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