PERSONAL INJURY: Experts Warn Parents on Using Baby Slings

March 19, 2010

WASHINGTON - Safety regulators and experts warn parents on the use of baby slings which can cause suffocation particularly if the babies are in a curled position.

In a statement, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) officials said they received three reported deaths linked to baby slings last year due to suffocation.

“If the babies’ face is pushed against the sling, they will not be able to cry and can slowly suffocate”, safety regulators said, adding that “parents should make sure that their babies’ face is always visible at all times.”

While the CPSC has not yet announced a recall on baby slings, CPSC chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum said the agency has recognized that this product creates “a dangerous scenario for small babies.”

According to an initial investigation, most deaths related to slings involved premature babies or those suffering from breathing problems such as cold and asthma.

Over the past several years, baby slings, which are commonly used in some cultures, have become popular among US parents as several studies suggested that this can help them bond with their babies.