Caution Using Baby Slings When Baby Wearing
Yesterday we asked if nannies would be willing to work for parents that follow the attachment parenting method that would require the caregiver to carry the baby with them while working.
There are many benefits of carrying babies which we will discuss over the next few days on this blog.
But, there are also some concerns about using baby slings for infants under four-months old.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning in March 2010 that baby slings -- which cvaregivers put around their necks to carry their babies -- may pose a risk of suffocation.
In researching incident reports from the past 20 years, the CPSC identified and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including three in 2009. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months of age.
Don Mays, of Consumer Reports, explains that the potential hazards of putting small babies -- especially newborns -- into bag-style slings arise because, "A very young infant's head will be folded forward. That cuts off the airway, and they essentially suffocate. Another problem could be if the baby's head could be nestled up against the carrier's body."
The CPSC said 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. Therefore, it urged parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low weight to use extra care and consult their pediatricians about using slings.
But not all slings are dangerous. The safest baby wearing is in a carrier that keeps the newborn baby solidly against the adult's body, in an upright position.
The popular “SlingRider” by Infantino was been singled out for criticism because of the curved position that the baby can fall into while inside the sling.
Click here for the recall information of the "Sling Rider" by Infantino.
Do you use a baby sling at work?
