Government to warn on baby slings because of deaths
Posted : Mar 9, 2010 12:51 PM
Updated: Mar 9, 2010 12:52 PM
The U.S. government is preparing a safety warning about baby slings - those popular and fashionable infant carriers that parents can sling around their chests to carry their baby.
The concern is that infants can suffocate, and a few have.
Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum says her agency is getting ready to issue a general warning to the public, likely to go out this week, about the baby carriers.
She did not single out any specific slings or discuss at least seven reported deaths linked to them.
Safety advocates have cautioned that some slings, where the baby falls into a curved or "C-like" position inside the sling, can lead to suffocation by restricting the baby's breathing.
nleeguitar at Mar 9th 2010 4:09 PM
Women have worn babies in slings and carriers since the beginning of time because women have had to work since the beginning of time.
Babies can die anywhere: in cribs, in car seats, in hospitals and homes. Newborns are fragile and need special care.....and even with that, some of them die.
What is most reliable in keeping babies alive in well is to keep tobacco away, have conscious parents, and to breastfeed. Those give the best chances at survival.
Ellie at Mar 10th 2010 1:59 AM
You are right on with your assessment! I'm an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), have worked with new mothers for over 30 years, and have raised six kids of my own.
The "Medical Establishment"- and that includes the AAP, the FDA, and most pediatricians are quick to jump on any issue that they think there might possibly be a liability issue with - co-sleeping, vaccines, circumcision, delaying solids, nursing toddlers, and now baby slings?
Women have been having babies and keeping them close during the most vulnerable times of their lives for millions of years. The sling has been used for as long as mothers have had babies, and co-sleeping was, and still is, the norm in the majority of the world. Women had babies before the invention of breast pumps, cribs, Childbirth Educators, ultrasounds, Lactation Consultants, and did just fine. The human race wouldn't have survived if that hadn't been the case.
Keeping your baby close, by co-sleeping, breastfeeding, and using a sling are all positive things. Putting babies in plastic seats and fancy swings and cribs with monitors - not so good.
momrnlc at Mar 9th 2010 10:57 PM
Moms need to pay attention to their babies. If the chin is tucked to the chest that is going to put the baby more at risk. A small baby may need a folded baby blanket in the sling first to bring baby up to a higher level. My daughter has been slinging her baby since birth at 6pounds 8 oz and she is 17 pounds...still in a sling.
mysticwill at Mar 10th 2010 10:36 AM
The problem is they are painting ALL slings with the same brush - there is ONE sling that HAS caused infant deaths - The Infantino Sling Rider. It has had DOCUMENTED problems that that company refuses to address. The pouch that they use in the picture has NOTING to do with it. Also there are MANY other (and better, more comfortable) brands that are PERFECTLY safe.