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Baby Slings, Baby Wearing, Nursing Slings and Nestling Wrap Hazards

By Steve Lombardi

BABY ON BOARD - KEEPING THE Little Ones SAFE AND SOUND

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued awarning about baby slings. A baby sling is a piece of cloth fashionably designed for carrying an infant across the front of the parent. In the last 20 years there have been 13 infant deaths associated with the slings; so if you're using one know the limits and how accidents can happen. Most of the deaths, 12 to be exact, were babies younger than 4 months of age.

What is the danger of using a baby sling? Death or injuries from falling have occurred.

How is death caused? The baby can suffocate from the angle of its chin to chest which cuts off the wind pipe and makes the baby unable to cry. Or, injury can occur from an unexpected and unintended release from the sling. Yeah the little guys and gals are heading south without a ticket mate.

BABY SLING WARNING: Caregivers should be aware of the limits of the baby sling and especially how it is made that can cause a sudden release or bend in the baby's neck, placing its chin against the chest cutting off the windpipe and the baby's ability to cry.

Manufacturers and Trade Names

• SlingRider by Infantino – These are the guys getting the most heat.

• Ellaroo Ring Sling Baby Carriers manufactured by Ellaroo LLC, of McKinney, Texas

• ZoloWear Infant Carriers/Slings from ZoloWear Inc., of Austin, Texas

Where is the industry doing to avoid further problems? The JPMA, an industry trade group is working on a certification program with standards to avoid further injuries and deaths.

Places to look for more Information - Try the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.

Where do they sell baby slings?

Baby slings at Target,

Reviews at The Sling Directory shows 200+ slings.

http://www.slingdirectory.com/

The Baby Wearer does a good job of showing moms and pops wearing them.

http://www.thebabywearer.com/

Consumer Search does review them as well.

http://www.consumersearch.com/baby-carriers/review

Kelly Mom

http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sling.html

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has four times issued warnings or recalls have been announced concerning baby slings.

Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Warning About Sling Carriers for Babies – This one is about how to and not to wear the sling. See the images below.

'CPSC recommends that parents and caregivers make sure the infant's face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling's wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, change the baby's position after feeding so the baby's head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother's body. Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about frequently checking their baby in a sling.'

March 11, 2008 Release #08-215 had to do with the Ellaroo Ring Sling Baby Carriers manufactured by Ellaroo LLC, of McKinney, Texas.

Hazard: The aluminum rings on the sling carriers can bend or break. This can cause the fabric to slip through the rings and infants to fall out of the carrier.

March 22, 2007 – Release #07-137 was a recall by Infantino due to a fall hazard being created with the SlingRider Infant Carrier by Infantino LLC of San Diego, California.

Manufacturer: Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: The plastic slider on the fabric strap can break. This can cause the strap supporting the carrier to release and infants to fall out of the carrier.

Incidents/Injuries: Infantino has received 10 reports of plastic sliders breaking, including eight reports of babies falling out of the carriers. There were four reports of impact injuries where the child was taken to the emergency room. One of these children fractured her skull.

August 23, 2005 – Release #05-250 had to do with ZoloWear and this one was a recall because of webbing letting go creating a fall hazard.

Name of Product: ZoloWear Infant Carriers/Slings

Units: About 165

Manufacturer: ZoloWear Inc., of Austin, Texas

Hazard: The stitching that attaches the webbing to the carrier/sling can break, posing a fall hazard to young children.

September 5, 2001 – Release #01-225 involved the Maya Wrap recalled because the welds of the metal rings that support the carriers/slings can break, posing a fall hazard to young children.

If you experience a problem with a baby sling what can you do?

CPSC is interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are directly related to infant slings. You can do this by visiting www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.

So keep the little ones close to you but also know how to keep them smiling.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Steve Lombardi

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on March 22, 2010 (boomark / email).