The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a safety warning about baby slings, which has created lots of talk in the media about slings being dangerous or even deadly.  Sadly, some slings are dangerous and tragically some babies have died - but only in a certain type of sling.

The head of the CPSC, said "We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazard scenarios for very small babies, so the time has come to alert parents and caregivers." However, there will not be a mention of specific brands or types of carriers, so general panic is ensuing.  All the incidents on which this safety warning are based involved bag style baby carriers.

Bag Style Slings are NOT SAFE.  None of the slings sold or recommended on Baby Bean are bag style slings, we only sell safe slings from companies who provide clear instructions about how to use your carrier safely.

So, what is a bag sling? A bag sling is a type of baby carrier where the baby lays in a C-like position and rides low on the parent - similar to how a typical bag might be worn. A bag sling is dangerous because baby is carried in a C-like position. In this position, a baby's chin is pressed against his chest, which constricts his breathing.  Bag slings are also much deeper than a normal pouch or ring sling, so the fabric can close around the baby's face.  Typically, bag slings make have elastic around the opening, making it even more likely that fabric will scrunch up around baby's face and restrict the flow of air.   More information about bag slings can be found here -     http://www.nurturebabynaturally.com/2010/03/what-is-bag-sling.html

Pouch slings and ring slings are NOT the same as bag slings.  All styles of sling recommended or sold on Baby Bean are safe if used correctly.

What makes a safe sling?

Any baby sling should hold your baby in a way you would hold him in your arms (back carries excepted, and even those can be done in arms if you're flexible enough). For example, a ring sling is typically used with the baby in a vertical position against your chest, just like you'd hold him in your arms, or with the baby at a diagonal angle across your body, as you would hold him while breastfeeding or reclining. The same positions are preferred in a wrap, pouch sling, or mei tai.  You should always be able to see your baby's head and face, without opening the fabric to do so, and he should always be able to breathe freely and easily, with his neck straight and his head in a neutral position (not curled forward onto his chest). Again, these positions, while they may take practice, are possible with every safe baby carrier.

You would never naturally hold your baby down horizontally against your hip, or squished up underneath your breasts, so you should never use a carrier that makes you do that. 

Problems with Bag Style Carriers:

• Bag carriers cut off visual access to the baby: with the elastic sides, the "sling" is little better than a bag, and it's impossible to see baby's face without holding open the sides. Because of the closed top, carbon dioxide can build up inside the carrier, reducing the baby's oxygen intake.
• Some bag carriers have a flat base which prevents the fabric of the carrier conforming to the baby's body, and creates a danger that the baby will roll to the side creating a suffocation risk.
• The curved shape of the bag style carrier forces a newborn into the chin-to-chest position. A newborn's airway is very narrow (about the diameter of a drinking straw) and with the chin pushed down onto the chest the airway can be compressed enough to reduce or even block airflow. This is called "positional asphyxia", and it occurs in any baby device that pushes the baby's head forward, including some infant car seats and upright strollers.
• Most bag style slings claim to be "one size fits all" but often they are too large for most parents even when adjusted tightly, so the baby is carried too low and buried in fabric.

When choosing your carrier, please keep these things in mind:

• You  should always be able to see your baby's face without opening the fabric.
• Your slings should mimic the way you would hold your baby in arms.
• It should be easy to get the baby into a safe position in your sling without having to fuss with a buckle or elastic.
• The carrier should fit your body and keep the baby high and tight against your chest, not low on your hips.

Unfortunately, the big baby companies who sell baby style carriers have not recognized the dangers they are creating, despite concerns being raised for several years.  For more information about the dangers of bag style slings please visit http://babyslingsafety.blogspot.com for M'liss Stelzer's research into the problems outlined above. 

http://babyslingsafety.blogspot.com

http://www.undercovermother.net/2010/03/babywearing-real-deal-on-safety.html

http://www.facebook.com/BabywearingSafety?ref=ts

http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/HowTo/Positioning.pdf

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2009/10/baby-deaths-raise-concerns-about-infantino-slings.html

http://www.hotslings.com/sling_safety_release

Your baby's safety is your utmost concern when choosing and using a sling.  If you'd like any further advice about the safety of particular slings stocked at Baby Bean, please don't hesitate to get in touch.  All our slings are manufactured by companies who are 100% committed to the safety of their products and have engaged in research and testing to ensure their products do not endanger babies.

Bag Style Slings are NOT SAFE.  None of the slings sold or recommended on Baby Bean are bag style slings, we only sell safe slings from companies who provide clear instructions about how to use your carrier safely.

With thanks to Sleeping Baby Productions for their article and links: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/safety.php