Has anyone seen the story in the news about the deaths of babies due to baby slings? It was in the Mail over the weekend & on here today...
Well it has really got me annoyed!!!! The story basically states that in America there have been 14 deaths in 20 years of babies in slings! To me this could have been sudden infant death syndrome & not the sling.. It mentions baby not being able to move their head if material covers it and air being restricted cos the head is down on the chest. Surely mums check their babies can breathe in the sling!?
I would have thought that the World (!) would be promoting baby slings for loads of reasons, bonding, cheap, just 1 nice piece of material & better to use than a dirty great big puschair which wears out the pavements & gets in peoples ways!
Anyway - rant over! But to me 14 deaths in 20 years is not enough to get people turned off from baby slings! I love them & will continue to use mine!

I used a baby sling when Jack was newborn, and for a while afterwards, until he got too heavy and my back couldn't take any more. I always checked he was not squashed and could breathe - why would anyone let their baby get into a position where they were unable to breathe properly?

We have the 'story' on the site too as we received a press release about it.

Are Baby Slings Dangerous?

I saw the story on site[never get time to read newspaper] and must admit I thought the same. It also doesnt say what type of slings they are saying are dangerous. There are numerous different types. I have used slings for all of mine and still use one for charlotte half the time we are out. I love the closeness we have and she is always happy and smiley when she is in it.

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From what I gather it's bag type slings. These slings are worn around the parents' neck and body much like a messenger bag is worn. Baby is placed into a deep pocket in these slings and so is at risk for suffocation because their bodies are positioned in a C position where the child's neck often touches their chest and restricts airways. All the while, the poor mom or dad wearing baby could be oblivious to any danger because baby is all the way down by mom or dad's belly button.

Baby-wearing safety points to remember are:

Baby should be close enough to kiss.
Baby should never have his chin resting on his chest.
Baby's head should be above the rest of her body.
Baby's knees should be higher than his butt.
Baby's face shouldn't be covered by fabric.
Baby's head should be supported.

I was actually given one of these types of slings to use when DD was weeks old. I'd read about some slings not being safe, but had no idea which ones at the time. Something just didn't feel right when I put her in it though and I only ever tried her in it twice and that was literally put her in and take her out.

I also had a Babasling my SIL gave me, but most of the time I struggled to get DD in a position I was happy with in that too. And she outgrew it lengthways before I could put her in a position she could support herself in. That despite the fact I asked my SIL to get me a ring sling

My heart goes out to those parents who have lost LO's when all they've been trying to do is the best thing for them. I hope it makes for people becoming better educated about baby wearing and looking to things like sling-meets for advice and to try before they buy.

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Davina + Kacie xxxxxx

It's another case being completely blown out of proportion. 14 deaths in 20 years is hardly cause enough to stop using slings completely. As with many things, how to use the slings is just common sense.

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I think as usual the Media has completley blown this out of proportion. 14 deaths is awful but spread over a 20 year timeframe seems a bit long before the product has been recalled.

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