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CPSC Gives Caution For Parents About Sling Baby Carriers As many of you have probably already heard, the CPSC has issued a warning to parents and how they handle their newborns in their baby sling. |A little over a week ago, the CPSC broadcast a notice for parents to use prudence while handling their newborns in baby slings. The agency warned parents to "be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months of age." They also urged parents of petite infants, twins, and babies in poor health to consult their pediatrician before using a sling with their baby. "We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazard scenarios for very small babies," said CPSC chair Inez Tenenbaum. Several fatalities involving baby slings are being inspected from the past 20 years by the CPSC, including three in 2009. Children younger than four months are the highest risk factor as 12 deaths involving baby slings over the past 20 years involve babies in this age group. Many of the babies who died in slings were either a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues. Two specific hazards to your newborn are innate with baby slings. In the first few months of life, infants cannot control their heads because their neck muscles are not yet sufficiently developed. The baby sling carrier cloth can obstruct the infant's nose and mouth, interfering with the baby's breathing and resulting in accelerated suffocation. Additionally, when a sling keeps an infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate. The CPSC always recommends that parents wearing the baby sling make certain that they can see the infant's exposed face and be sure the baby's face is always visible. In short, please be careful before using your baby sling and read the directions! |
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