slings and arrows: safe babywearing

 
Baby slings are getting a lot of press and sadly, the coverage is worrying parents unnecessarily.  Here is an excerpt from an AP article that ran March 13:

Those chic baby slings that many parents are sporting these days can be dangerous, even deadly, the government warned yesterday.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it has investigated at least 13 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers over the last 20 years, including three deaths last year. One other case involving a fatality is still being investigated. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months, the agency said.

The commission is advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months.

It said that several of the babies who died in slings were either born prematurely or as a low-weight twin or had respiratory problems.

Of course, my heart goes out to the families who have lost babies.  I cannot imagine anything worse than burying a child, and I do not want to minimize those parents' grief in any way.  Infant death is always an unimaginably tragedy.  In the reporting, however, one important message is obscured:  

1. There are hundreds of types of safe baby carriers.  

2. Babywearing has been practiced globally for thousands of years.

3. It is a safe and beneficial for babies (and parents!) when practiced properly.

Most babies love to be held or carried.  That isn't feasible around the clock, but a babe needn't spend hour after hour in a bouncer, swing, car seat, stroller, exersaucer, crib, pack 'n play, or play gym.  (Seriously, how many of these gadgets do we need cluttering up our lives?)

Slings let babies rest snugly on mama (or daddy's) chest, hear her heartbeat and feel secure while the wearer has hands free.  Those first three months of a baby's life are likened to a "fourth trimester," and it is an especially good time to wear a baby, despite the CPSC's warnings.  Similar to swaddling, slings replicate a cozy womb feeling, which is comforting to newborns.   

Babywearing can encourage infant sleep and discourage crying, so it is a fantastic practice for new mamas to learn in those harried early weeks.

Of course, we must remain attentive to our babies.  I usually keep one hand on my baby's back or bottom, just in case.  A child could fall if not worn properly, so it is crucial to get comfortable with the carrier first.  Most carriers come with videos or picture instructions and must be followed carefully.  Follow your instincts, ask questions, get help and never use a carrier until it feels safe and right.  Once the wearer gets the hang of the learning curve, wearing a baby safely becomes second nature.

When Dylan was about three months, we started using a ring sling.  I rarely needed a stroller or had to lug around a heavy infant car seat.  I wore James from day one and had two year-old Dylan in it yesterday at the grocery store.  I don't think I could leave the house most days with both kids without my sling.  Wearing a baby in a sling is a fantastic way to simplify, be close to your baby and get practical things done at the same time.

The actual concern, for both the CPSC and babywearing community, is the Infantino brand "Slingrider" that four-week-old Dylan is pictured in here.  [The CPSC issued a recall on March 24.]  Even though it was never a favorite of mine, we did use one when Dylan was little, because it was what we had and we didn't know anything else. 

The concerns raised about the Slingrider are unique to its flawed design: a baby should be worn high enough to kiss, but in a Slingrider a child is much lower.  Too much fabric and awkward body positioning can interfere with infant breathing.

The Infantino Slingrider "bag sling" is completely different from ring slings, pouch slings and myriad other safe carriers.

If you have an Infantino Slingrider, you are eligible for a free replacement Infantino Wrap and Tie.  It can be worn as a frontpack or backpack. 

More babywearing info/love:
The Benefits of Babywearing

Great Things About Babywearing

Linked up with Steph at Adventures in Babywearing and Hyacynth at Undercover Mother.


Do you/have you worn your babies?
Have you encountered comments in the wake of this recall?  What is your favorite kind of baby carrier?  What do you like best about babywearing?