Should Moms Still Sling in Light of the Scare?

March 30, 2010

Earlier this month, the government issued a sling recall after infants were injured and/or died in baby slings. The release cited suffocation as a potential hazard. In a recent article, two grieving mothers shared their tragic stories of loss. Women around the world have been babywearers for generations. In light of all this, do you still feel secure putting your child in a sling?

8 Comments

3 years 7 weeks

Women have used slings for thousands of years, these recalled slings were from a specific brand and type. Wasn't one of them plastic too? It's not the same as an all natural one and many are shaped or made for different fits and style depending on needs.

3 years 7 weeks

hausfrau, you make me laugh! I have to agree that it's not always the products fault, more often it's the users, however this particular product is very dangerous. Any slings that are designed like a bag are dangerous! CurleyQ, a couple great ring slings on the market also have great websites you can check out, for example..... rockinbabysling.com upmama.com I also recommend checking out babywearinginternational.org

hausfrau 3 years 7 weeks

I think idiot parents should be recalled. Most of the time it's not the product's fault.

CurleyQ 3 years 7 weeks

I agree not all slings are made equally. I'm wanting to get a ring sling but a lil' worried now. I definitely am educating myself in how to use one though!

Niami 3 years 7 weeks

Not everyone uses that specific type of sling. Those are dangerous. Other types of slings are perfectly safe when used correctly and when the parent pays attention to the child.

meumitsuki 3 years 7 weeks

I think these tragic deaths have to do with the sling. Before purchasing a new native, I actually had this one. I used it once and saw that it was too cushy and could cause problems with a newborn and I promptly returned it. With these slings you can't have the baby's head out, like you can with more traditional ones.

3 years 7 weeks

Babywearing and using a safe sling is still SAFE! It's about education and awareness! It's no different than your carseats, bouncers, highchairs, and cribs, you have to educate yourself on how to use them properly and which ones are best for you and your child, and then actually use them properly! A sling is far safer for your child that leaving them in their infant carseat to tote them around all day! If you saw the numbers for infant mortality in carseats not related to being in a car, you'd likely be surprised! Like with everything, when used properly, a sling is safe. I'm VERY happy to finally see the infantino bag slings recalled and urge anyone who has one to destroy it, and look for a ring sling!

3 years 7 weeks

I certainly don't feel comfortable using the C-type sling that was recalled, but there are plenty of other slings that do not have design flaws that I am still willing to use.

Link Love

8 Comments

You Might Also Like