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CPSC Gives Caution For You Parents Concerning Sling Baby Carriers
As many of you have almost certainly heard, the CPSC has issued a caution to caregivers and how they manage their newborns in their baby sling. |A little over a week ago, the CPSC published a notice for parents to use caution while handling their newborns in baby slings.
The firm warned parents to "be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months of age." They also urged parents of lightweight infants, twins, and babies in poor health to consult their pediatrician before using a sling with their infant. "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.
The CPSC is looking into around 14 fatalities over the past 20 years associated with sling-style newborn carriers, including three fatalities from 2009. 12 of the fatalities involved infants younger than four months of age. The vast majority of these deaths involved a low birth weight twin, breathing issues, or were born prematurely.
Slings can pose 2 different types of suffocation hazards to infants. In the first several months of life, babies cannot control their heads because their neck muscles are not yet fully developed. The baby sling carrier fabric can obstruct the infant's nose and mouth, interfering with the baby's breathing and resulting in hurried suffocation. Also, keeping your child in a curled position is asking for trouble. This blocks the airway by bending the chin onto their chest and can impede the oxygen supply. Your baby will not be able to cry and could possibly 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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