Baby Sling Dangers

Recent tragedy forces another look at the carriers mothers have used for years to conveniently transport their infants during shopping trips and daily errands. These slings wrap around the shoulder and hang on the hip of the carrier. The baby lies snuggly inside of the fabric just as a sling would hold a broken arm snuggly inside. They have been used for so many years because of their convenience, size, and what was deemed as usefulness. They free up the arms of the carrier and keep the infant in close contact to the caregiver. This can provide peace of mind because the child is not out of your line of vision as they are while in a car seat, in a shopping cart.

The problem; the sling holds the infant in a “c” shape which can force the chin into the chest. This position can restrict or even completely block the breathing passageway. Another problem is that the infant can be pushed into the carrier’s chest which can also block oxygen from getting to the infant’s airway.

New information out in late March stated a recall of 1 million Infantino Baby Slings. The two models being recalled are “Slingrider” and “Wendy Bellisimo”. Reports state 3 children died in these slings last year alone. Consumers are instructed to cut off the tags of their slings, contact the Infantino company and a choice of replacement products will be offered in exchange for the voluntary recalled product.

14 deaths have been reported from the use of the baby slings.