Clearing The Air - Baby Sling Recalls

Perhaps you have heard about the million+ baby sling recalls?  Well I want to clear the air about about them.  The type of sling that was recalled is an Infantino bag sling.  It's no wonder why they were recalled.  The basic design of a bag sling was flawed from the beginning.  The bag is too deep and material would have nowhere else to go but right in babies face.  Another major problem with a bag sling is that babies head could easily become slouched over and their chin would rest on their chest.  We now know that this blocks babies already small airway passages and they could potentially suffocate.   The fact is that no other baby sling should fall into this category.  


It is important to realize that recalls on baby products are common place.  Baby cribs, bassinetts, playpens, strollers, each one seems to have a new category of products that are unsafe conveniently after the consumer finds out for themselves.  Rather than placing a stigma on these products they simply fix the malfunctioning components of it, or discontinue that model or brand and take it off of the shelves.  Many have seemed to misinterpret The Consumer Product Safety Commissions (CPSC) advice which went on to state:

CPSC recommends that parents and caregivers make sure the infant’s face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling’s wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, change the baby’s position after feeding so the baby’s head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother’s body. Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about frequently checking their baby in a sling.

If you continue to read the CPSC warning you will see that in the past 20 years there has been a total of 14 deaths linked to baby slings.  A very unfortunate number indeed but this number hardly seems size able compared to the estimated 43 deaths a year connected to cribs and playpens alone.  Not to mention that the majority of the infant deaths in a sling were babies that were physically predisposed to problems low birth weight, premature, and sick just to name a few.  So if your baby falls into one of these categories it is important to pay that much more attention to them.

Babywearing has been practiced around the world for centuries, so baby slings are hardly a new idea.  It is virtually the same thing as holding a baby in your arms except more comfortable.  Just like you pay attention to a baby that you are holding in your arms the same formalities apply when your baby is being held in a sling.  Be aware at all times of your precious bundle that you are wearing.  Make sure they are comfortable, make sure they can breathe, don't let them become encased in fabric, don't let them hang upside down, etc.  Never put your baby in a sling unless you are sure you are wearing it correctly and that baby is positioned correctly.  When you are testing out your sling for the first time, make sure they are content.  A fussy baby is much harder to position and it is also hard to tell if they are uncomfortable in the sling or just upset.  Below you will the correct way to position baby in a baby sling as well as the wrong ways.

Are Baby Slings Safe For Your Baby?

There are many things to consider when you are a new mom. What to name baby, what will the theme of the nursery be, will (s)he have daddy's eyes or yours? Then there is the never-ending baby supplies available that may leave you wondering what is right for you and baby? Somewhere between wipe warmers and bath toys, you will probably stumble upon baby carriers and more specifically baby slings. If you look them up you will most likely see all of the ample benefits baby wearing brings. But you are also sure to find negative feedback as well. So what's the deal? Are baby slings safe?

Well yes and no. The answer really depends on what slings you are referring to. The types that are not safe are generally the pocket slings or any sling that is deep enough to envelop baby in material. To prevent this make sure any sling that you put baby in allows for baby's face to be completely visible and above all fabric.

In addition you should make sure babies chin is never resting on their chest. This could result in poor oxygen flow. Furthermore baby's face should not be tightly leaned into your chest, blocking their nose and mouth as a result. Even so the sling must be tight enough around you that there is no loose fabric which would not only put strain on your back but also allow baby to slump into an unsafe position. Any time baby is in the sling they should be close enough for you to kiss them.

Always be sure to check the baby sling in general. Over time they will likely experience wear and tear like any other article of clothing you possess. Unfortunately the comfy, strong material that is perfect for baby slings is not everlasting. Be sure all of the seams are strong. Never put more weight in the sling then what is appropriate. 35 pounds is usually the max weight in any baby sling.

It's important to be aware of your baby whenever they are in a sling. In fact you should always be aware of baby no matter where they are, right? Before you ever even put baby in a sling be sure to read all the provided instructions that come along with it. As a result baby slings are safe enough to carry your baby, provided you take in all the necessary precautions.

View a hand picked selection of what I think are the best baby slings for your baby.