Safe Kids Blog: Safe Kids Alerts Parents to Baby Sling Dangers

Posted by: at Mar 12, 2010 12:00 AM CST

Keywords: Parents

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Many parents rely on soft fabric baby slings as a convenient way to carry their babies and keep them close. However, the federal government is now warning parents that these slings may be dangerous to small children.

When a sling holds your baby in a curved position (in a C-like position), your baby’s head may fall forward, making it difficult for him or her to breathe. Babies may also roll toward their parents’ bodies, posing a suffocation risk. Sadly, at least fourteen babies have died in baby slings. Safe Kids recommends that these “bag style” slings not be used for small babies, particularly those younger than four months old.

More structured infant carriers, like the Baby Bjorn, are not included in the warning.

Check out Safe Kids’ baby safety basics page to learn more about keeping baby safe and visit our product recalls page for important information on dangerous children’s products.

Tanya Chin Ross
Senior Public Policy Associate and Mother of 2

Comment on this Blog Post:

Posted by cid hadi at: July 4, 2010

thanks for this information, i will have a first baby on next several months. cheers http://safe-kids.us

Posted by anneta palin at: June 15, 2010

Yep, this is really a problem, and not only you have touched upon it here - Children-s-Hospital-Oakland-KTVU-Reports-on-Baby-Sling-Danger :"KTVU's John Sasaki reports on the danger of baby sling carriers. Prompted by 3 infant deaths in the last year, the government issued a warning on the popular baby sling". I'd never use it for my baby, it even looks strange...

Posted by Adrienne Cuellar at: March 14, 2010

I thought this was common sense just looking at these slings. Would YOU be comfortable with YOUR head being pushed toward YOUR chest?