Baby Slings/Suffocating Infants

[iHEAVENn]

So I was browsing the news like always, and came across this rather interesting new article that they're just NOW releasing to warn parents...

http://cbs2.com/consumer/baby.sling....2.1551114.html

WASHINGTON (AP) ―
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The head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Inez Tenenbaum, said Tuesday that her agency is getting ready to issue a general warning to the public, likely to go out this week, about the slings. (File Photo)
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Consumer Product Safety Commission
The government is preparing a safety warning about baby slings -- those popular and fashionable infant carriers that parents strap around their chests to give the little ones a cuddle on the move.

The concern: Infants can suffocate, and at least a few have.

The head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Inez Tenenbaum, said Tuesday that her agency is getting ready to issue a general warning to the public, likely to go out this week, about the slings.

"We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazard scenarios for very small babies," said Tenenbaum. "So, the time has come to alert parents and caregivers."

Tenenbaum spoke at a meeting of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, an industry trade group that certifies certain children's products, including soft infant carriers.

Tenenbaum did not single out any specific baby slings or discuss the number of deaths linked to them. But there have been complaints for a couple years now about some baby carriers.

In 2008, Consumer Reports raised concerns about the soft fabric slings and some two dozen serious injuries, mostly when a child fell out of them. A follow-up blog warned about a suffocation risk and linked the slings to at least seven infant deaths.

Consumer Reports, published by Consumers Union, complained about the "SlingRider" by Infantino. The "bag style" sling wraps around the parent's neck and cradles the child in a curved or "C-like" position, nestling the baby below mom's chest or near her belly.

It's the "C-like" position that causes safety advocates to shudder. They say the curved position can cause the baby, which has little head and neck control in the early months, to flop its head forward, chin-to-chest -- restricting the baby's ability to breathe.

Another concern: that the baby can turn its face toward mom's chest or belly and smother in the parent's clothing.

Infantino's "SlingRider" was recalled in 2007 for problems with the plastic sliders on the sling's strap. But there have been no recalls because of a suffocation risk.

A statement from Infantino said the company believes the SlingRider is safe, but added that officials there were working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission "to address the agency's concerns and those of any parents and caregivers."

Baby slings have been billed as an important way for new moms to bond with their babies.

Use of slings, also known as "babywearing," has become increasingly popular in recent years, with colorful and vibrant slings seen on Hollywood moms and sold everywhere from big retailers such as Babies R Us to smaller outfits like BabySoSmart.com in Kansas City, Mo.

Tiffany Speck, a nurse who owns BabySoSmart and sells her own baby carriers, has been warning about slings where the baby falls into a chin-to-chest position in the classes she teaches at hospitals, stores and doctors' offices.

"You wouldn't want to put a baby in there," Speck said during an interview with The Associated Press. "The baby is curling, head toward toe, and what happens is the baby occludes its own airway."

Speck recommends that babies in slings remain in an upright position, with the baby's tummy facing mommy's tummy.
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

[Jocelyn.]

I've always just had a bad feeling about these things, and have refused to wear one. My husband keeps trying to talk me into using the one his mother bought for me and I just won't. Now I don't feel so guilty. Its so sad, and I just couldnt imagine anything like that happening to my son.

Not to mention I like for my son to discover his surroundings, play with his toys, and just be a baby. My arms work just fine for holding, and I think carrying a baby in a sling all day can definitely stunt development.

[J&M's Mommy]

My son would not ride in one of those things for 2 seconds. I am sorry, but they look uncomfortable. My son is definitely too interested in looking around an such.

[topov]

I bought one :/ but I think after reading that I will be pushing it nicely to one side!

[iHEAVENn]

Yeah, the article is scary for sure. I wanted one with my son but never got one. Now I'm glad we never did. I can't imagine losing a child because of something that was made to let you have hands free access to whatever.

[flowerchild32273]

do you think the moby wraps would be ok? i looked it up and it looks pretty safe and secure and the baby isnt in that C position. i dont have a kid now but its still nice to know these things.

[Nicolette]

yikes, I wanted to get a sling (although not one like that) it really makes me wonder about the construction of slings in general now.

[iHEAVENn]

Originally Posted by flowerchild32273

do you think the moby wraps would be ok? i looked it up and it looks pretty safe and secure and the baby isnt in that C position. i dont have a kid now but its still nice to know these things.

Honestly.. I think I'm personally going by "No slings are safe" now.
Yeah lots of people use them, and lots of babies go unharmed but I myself would hate to be included in with the parents who have/do lose children due to slings.
And even the ones where the babies aren't in the 'c' position I see as harmful because again, the babies head can fall forward etc.

But I'm no doctor, so when you have a kid you just have to go by your own instincts and feelings and hope for the best.