You probably would never think that carrying your baby around your neck in a baby sling could put the kiddo at risk for serious personal injuries and even suffocating. Well, maybe you should. At least that is what the folks at the Consumer Product Safety Commission seem prepared to say.
Here is the lowdown – it appears that the danger for junior rests in the design of the sling. And the design that is giving safety advocates reason to cringe is the “C-like” position. This position causes the baby to flop his or her head forward in a chin-to-chest way that can cause little miss sunshine to suffocate – not good, not good at all. And we know from reports by consumers to the CPSC at least a few babies have suffocated in this manner.
Father Holding His Daughter In A Baby Sling
There have been other concerns about the various popular slings as well. In 2008, there were serious personal injuries reported when babies fell out of slings due to an extremely soft fabric design. And Consumer Reports warned about suffocation risk and linked the baby slings to the deaths of at least seven infants.
In 2007, “SlingRider” a popular brand of slings was recalled when problems with the plastic strap on the sling begin to surface.
But despite the danger of these products their popularity appears to be growing. Many parents see the slings as a good alternative to strollers and allow for the baby and parent to remain closer while strolling about or running errands.
According to the head of the CPSC, Inez Tenenbaum, the agency is preparing to make a general warning later this week regarding the slings and their risk of personal injuries to infants.
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