Babywearing it Up!: Bag sling Info

Sling Safety, Bag Slings, and the CPSC

Maybe you've seen some of the headlines or news stories recently...

"CPSC Issues Warning After Baby Sling Death"

Baby Sling Deaths: 'Chic' Baby Slings Linked To At Least 13 Infant Deaths, Government Says"

So what does that all mean? Is your carrier safe?

Infantino Sling Rider Baby Carrier in Black Toile

First, if you own the type of sling pictured, please DO NOT use it! If you have one of these slings, please either return it to the manufacturer (if a SlingRider) or throw it away - don't even donate it to a thrift store!

"The popular "SlingRider" by Infantino has been singled out for criticism because of the curved position that the baby can fall into while inside the sling."

You can read more about these "bag slings" and their risks to babies here. I don't know what type of sling was being used in each of the 13 tragedies, but in at least two of them it was a "bag sling" like the one on the left. These are dangerous because they put the baby in a curved position, with chin to chest, and make it harder for the baby to breathe. Also, the elasticized sides can be a suffocation hazard, and make it harder to check on baby. In one of the deaths, the mother was unaware that anything was wrong until she opened the bag sling. Your baby's face should NEVER be covered by fabric!

Jan Andrea's page on sling safety notes, "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)."

To the left is a photo of a baby being worn safely in a Moby Wrap. Note that the baby is close to the wearer's face ("close enough to kiss") and has no fabric on her face.

Bottom line? Slings, used safely, are safe. Here are some safety guidelines from Babywearing International:

"A correctly-used baby carrier's positioning should mimic how you would hold a baby in your arms. A normal in-arms holding position is fairly snug to your chest and somewhat close to your face ("Close Enough to Kiss"). Babywearing advocates have been teaching about the importance of correct newborn positioning for years and warning against the use of slings that do not allow for safe wearing positions.

Here are some important guidelines to remember when wearing an infant:

Check to ensure that your baby is not curled up tightly in a chin-to-chest position; this compresses your baby's airway. Making sure there is a fingers' width or two between their chin and chest is a good guide.

Make sure your baby's back is straight and supported.

Monitor your child at all times. Make sure nothing is obstructing their face.

Be aware of how your movements affect the baby: avoid any bumping or jarring motions."

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And here are some sling alternatives to bag slings, if you need to buy a safe replacement: