Baby Wearing And Baby Slings. What’s Safe?
CPSC recently recalled Infantino’s Baby Sling due to 3 infant deaths. But, that is not all. CPSC now warns about the safety of all baby slings. Below we have their statement, but we want to talk a little more on this subject today.
With this warning on all baby slings, it does bring up a concern for parents who know the benefits of wearing their baby close to them. How do we still do that in a safe and protective manner? Is baby wearing safe at all? Have other baby carriers been recalled? Is a stroller now the best option to take baby with us?
We are going to address all of these questions from our personal viewpoint today!
The Benefits Of Baby Wearing
Both of us SAFbaby mama’s LOVE wearing our babies. My daughter is 3.5 (weighs less than 30 pounds) and still goes in our Ergo Baby for day hikes. My daughter loves it too, always has. I have priceless video footage of her on my back when she was around 9 months old just “singing” away as we hiked up a mountain in Oregon. I love those memories. I cherish many memories of wearing her, as an infant, a baby and now a little girl.
Have there been recalls on baby carriers? Yes there has, but NEVER has a recall been done on the 2 baby carriers that we have awarded our Seal of Approvals to: Ergo Baby and Moby Wrap! To see recalls that have been done on other carriers, please visit CPSC (link below).
Here are some reasons we personally prefer wearing our babies:
- Bonding with your Baby
- Baby feels safe and secure
- More convenient and mobile than strollers
- Soothes and comforts a fussy baby
- Frees both hand of parents to do something else
- Extra weight = burn more calories (Say bye-bye to that extra pregnancy weight!)
- Strollers and even some baby carriers are treated with fire retardant chemicals, formaldehyde and other toxic dyes. NOT THE ONES WE APPROVE though!
- With a carrier you can constantly check on baby in front position (to see if he/she gets enough air) – I was a bit nervous with sling, always had to check
- Sandra’s baby boy is so calm and comfortable in his carrier and always falls asleep so peacefully
- Better Back support than a sling
- Easier to get around with carrier than stroller
- Perfect when you have 2 children (push one in stroller and second one in carrier)
- Body heat keeps baby warm
- Toddlers and babies really likes to be on the back and observe what is going on at eye level
- Additionally, we really like the additional safety tips this site shares on the baby wearing too: SafeKids
CPSC Warns About The Risk On Infant Slings
Quoting CPSC’s info on their site: “There’s a risk involved with all sling carriers, particularly for newborns the CPSC says. Babies’ weak neck muscles make it difficult to move to a better position if they are suffocating. But Infantino slings have raised specific concerns.”
Additional Message from CPSC:
“On March 12, 2010, CPSC issued a warning about sling carriers for babies. Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot 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. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.
CPSC has determined that a mandatory standard is needed for infant sling carriers. While a mandatory standard is being developed, CPSC staff is working with ASTM International and concerned companies such as Infantino to quickly develop an effective voluntary standard for slings. There currently are no safety standards for infant sling carriers.”
Contact for Infantino
Looking to replace your Infantino sling? Contact Infantino at 866-860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.infantino.com.
CPSC Links and Contact
A link to recalls on baby carriers can be found here.
To join a CPSC e-mail subscription list, please click here.
Consumers can obtain recall and general safety information by logging on to CPSC’s Web site here.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054.
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Category: 0-1 yr, 1-3 yrs, 3-5 yrs, Baby Wearing, MACT Award Winners, Product Recalls, Uncategorized
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I couldn’t use a sling w/ my little girl due to a special harness for hip dysplasia, but know many people who wouldn’t give up their slings for anything. I think simple is better, and you have to get good advice on proper wearing.
I switched from a Baby Bjorn to an Ergo around 1 year and recommend them to everyone over the BB now. Super comfortable, easy in/out, much better for the proper development of the hip joints (even in babies w/out hip issues)and I LOVED the front-to-back switch without putting her down. I carried my daughter in her Ergo until she was 4 and just got too tall for her 5’1″ Mama to carry easily.
And of course there’s always the danger of dropping your baby out of the sling.
Which I did. Crack. Right on the noggin.
But I didn’t stop carrying him around. Just paid better attention.
Nothing wrong with slings, you just need to pay attention to your child at all times. Make sure they are comfortable and haven’t slipped into a position which might make it difficult to breathe.
I think both baby-carrying methods are okay as long as you pay extra attention when you’re carrying your child. Baby safety and comfort comes first. So as parents, we need to be keen with choosing the best way to carry our children. By the way, very informative blog to read on. Thanks.