Story from a link on Yahoo! http://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-n...by-slings-can-be-dangerous-says-US-government I never used a sling, but know many that do and love it. As far as I know women have been carrying babies like this for centuries. Just thought I'd share the story in case any of you who wear a sling would be interested. I suppose the warning can't hurt. But you've got to take everything the government says with a grain of salt.
As with anything for babies you need to use it correctly. Slings do have a learning curve. I used a sling quite a bit with my boys and I can't count the number of times people asked if my son could breathe. I gave them a look and they saw my son sleeping peacefully with his face away from any fabric. I used a wrap style carrier with my daughter and grew to love it more than the sling. It probably isn't any more dangerous than trying to carry a baby while pushing a stroller though.
Sounds like for the most part they are only claiming that mass manufactured slings are the culprit. The Ring Slings that are made custom by most WAHMs or by mother themselves are considered safe because they are a better fit for mom and baby. Though I would think any baby product can be dangerous if used improperly.
Ditto! And with ANYTHING, you have to use a little common sense! I heard today that New York is considering a bill to ban restaurants from using salt in their cooking :roll:!
I agree with all posts, anything used with an infant should be used with care and caution. I think most parents know that. I have no problems with the warning, just the source. I agree Jackie, whose going to save us from them? Why do they always have to seem like they know better.
I am just waiting for the day to see this one in the news: New government study reveals that unsupervised parents can be dangerous for babies and young children. This timely report gains momentum for the proposed home inspections bill. :roll:
I have heard more problems with snuggli's than slings. I almost lost my son when he fell asleep face out. He couldn't breath the way his head was sitting, but someone noticed his color was off, and we got him out right away. It was only a minute or two after he fell asleep. I also know of someone whose baby actually died that way. But we have never had any problems with our slings.
I used the backpack style(worn on the front) with my two youngest and was constantly paranoid that they would suffocate so I spent more time holding their head up than actually getting anything done (which was the whole point of wearing them) so I eventually gave the stupid thing up and just sat on the couch all day with them. Kinda glad those days are over!
It's the "bag slings" that are the problem. And only because they have more of a learning curve/can easily be the wrong size for a mom. If they are even the slightes bit too big, they are quite dangerous. Ring slings are adjustable, and therefore, if adjusted properly, less dangerous. But again, one must know how to use what they are using before they can use it safely.
That's stupid. Slings are safe if you use them correctly. My goodness...parents should just have warning labels tattooed to their foreheads...May make a decision that is not inline with government. Hey...I'd wear that T-shirt! lol
A baby died recently because of being positioned in a sling incorrectly. It can happen. It's sad, but it's no more the slings fault than it's the fault of a car when someone drives it off a cliff.
Well, I'm not saying something tragic can't happen. A kid just died this winter from being smothered by snow. I still let my kids build snowmen and go sledding. I don't mind a warning...go ahead...put a warning on everything..lol. Now, if only the snowflakes could spell out a warning.... i am not trying to be cold...I just think this often goes too far. If slings can be worn incorrectly that easily then yes a warning label is merited.
