Safety concerns about using Baby Slings have been making the rounds on the morning talk shows and news outlets across the country this week, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) formally issued a new warning to parents of young infants using the sling style baby carriers.
This illustration issued by the CPSC shows do’s and don’ts suggestions for how to position young infants in a soft baby carrier.
View the full size illustration
The CPSC is advising parents to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months. In a study covering 20 years, the CPSC has found that baby slings can cause injury or death by pressing against a baby’s nose and mouth, or by allowing the baby to lay in a position that could compromise their airway.
If you are a sling user, use the guidelines of keeping your baby’s face uncovered, and consider a using a tummy to tummy hold, instead of the cradle hold for babies under 4 months of age to reduce the the risk of airway compromise.
The CPSC has found that slings can pose two different kinds of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies are not able to control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling’s fabric can press against an infant’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. When a sling keeps the infant in a curled position, with the chin bent towards the chest, the airways can be constricted, limiting oxygen suppy. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.
In researching reports from the past 20 years, the CPSC has found and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including 3 in 2009. Twelves of the deaths involved babies younger than 4 months.
The CPSC has noted that many of the babies who died in slings were either a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues, such as a cold. The CPSC warning urges parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low birth weight to consult their pediatrician about using an infant sling.
To read the full CPSC release, click here
Related:
Read the NY Times article covering Inez Tenenbaum” target=blank”, head of the CPSC, speaking at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association meeting, the industry trade group that certifies certain children’s products, including baby slings.
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