Baby Slings Linked To 13 Deaths So Far

Washington, DCIt was in 2008 that Consumer Reports first warned about the risks associated with baby slings. Now the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has come out with a product warning after investigating at least 13 deaths linked to baby slings over the last 20 years.

Baby slings are chic accessories designed to couch the baby in such a way that the parent carry the child for several hours in a day. The slings promote bonding, according to AskDrSears.com, the website of the Sears medical family, an internationally known dynasty with dozens of books in print.

AskDrSears.com advocates what it calls "baby wearing," which has been especially popular among new-age mothers. AskDrSears.com in particular promotes the Dr. Sears Original Baby Sling by Balboa Baby.

However, the CPSC now cautions against the use of baby slings with infants younger than four months. According to the 3/13/10 edition of the Boston Globe, 12 of the 13 deaths investigated involved babies younger then four months. Several of the infants who died in slings were low-weight twins, born prematurely or battling respiratory problems.

The primary concern, according to the CPSC, is the potential for suffocation. A sling's fabric can press against a baby's nose and mouth, blocking the infant's breathing and suffocating a baby within minutes, the agency said.

The other scenario involves slings that cradle the baby in a curved or "C-like'' position, nestling the baby below the mother's bosom or near her abdomen. Such a curved position can force an infant without strong neck control to flop its head forward, chin-to-chest, restricting its ability to breathe.

"The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate,'' warns the commission.

Only one infant sling was ever recalled: the SlingRider, manufactured by Infantino, was recalled in 2007 over a problem with the plastic sliders on the sling's strap. There have been no recalls due to risk of suffocation, although in 2008 Consumer Reports cited the risk of injury due to children falling out of baby slings.

However, a week-old infant suffocated in an Infantino SlingRider last year. The parents of Derrik Fowler are suing the manufacturer.

It should be noted that the Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington (BCGW) is of the view that not all baby slings are unsafe. "The safest baby wearing is in a carrier that keeps the newborn baby solidly against his mother's body, in an upright position," BCGW director Pat Shelly told the Associated Press. "Parents should be instructed to allow the infant to keep his chin off his chest optimizing the airway for breathing."

Slings have been promoted by baby experts as a way to calm fussy babies or for nursing moms to breastfeed their babies.