(US) Govt to warn on baby slings because of deaths

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Was googling around looking at baby sling stuff and found this..

Hm, I think this relates specifically to bag slings. More specific discussion here.

yes, it is bag slings, they are increedibly dangerous. if you read puddock's link there are test results that show how scarily fast it can go wrong.
They have been saying theya re going to do something about them for ages. The bags are okay for hip carries for toddlers but for newborns are a definate no-no.

THat is quite scary. Are they the same as pouch slings?

No, pouch slings are very shallow and hold the baby's head flat (if used properly)
Bag slings have sides that reach up around the baby's head and can almost close together on top so there is very little air coming in. they also are not as 'tight' as a pouch so the bay can move it's head to the side and be breathing in the side of the bag, kinda like a cot bumper.

eglu - no, pouch slings support the baby better when properly used, bag slings aren't sized and the baby, particularly newborns, will often be quite swamped by it.

This site has good article as well

THank you Chairmum. Not cureently a sling user, both my two are too big, but was interested for future possibilities.

Another interesting article which explains the difference very well here:

www.sleepingbaby.net/safety.php

I noticed recently they are selling the Infantino slings in Mothercare and even Boots now I am tempted to write to their head office but not sure whether they will do anything. Maybe if we could get lots of mumsnetters to write? There are plenty of slings they could stock, I would prefer to see the baby bjorn than this sling. (Though there are countless that would be much better!) I have put bad reviews up on both websites but think they have been taken down because it was fairly obvious that I hadn't actually used the sling personally!

I had one of the slings pictured and I hated it, couldn't use it because it was too hot for me and ds (born in at the end of May so it was warm) - I threw it in the clothes recycling bin!

Bloody daily mail is getting in on the sensationalist action, surprise surprise. Typical they have not once mentioned that it's a specific type of sling. Ridiculous.

those slings on puddocks link are thick like duvets! They can't be a good idea.

They look v uncomfortable to use as well

They are incredibly badly designed, for all the reasons listed in the links, mentioned above, and surely people would bump into you all the time not realising that there was a baby in there? It's not exactly a natural position that you'd expect a baby to be carried in and you can't even see them in there.

I just have no idea what the original designers were thinking, TBH.

And awful that babies have actually died from using this sling as designed

The UK sling retailers appear to have joined forces on this, here's their press release: babyslingsafe.com/

The link from BertieBotts (Tue 16-Mar-10 01:48:12) was really useful, thanks.

Does anyone know if breastfeeding in a sling like the Close baby sling is safe?
When I was reading the article I was thinking that the breastfeeding position of the sling has the baby quite covered up and enclosed, like the article was saying about the bag/duffel style slings. Any ideas?

Breastfeeding in a sling is safe, so long as you are aware of your baby at all times, and adjust their position once they are no longer actively feeding to ensure their airway is not compromised. The TICKS checklist from the UK Sling Consortium is helpful:
Tight In view at all times
Close enough to kiss
Keep chin off the chest
Supported back

oops, thought I was being all clever with my formatting there!

Tight
In view at all times
Close enough to kiss
Keep chin off the chest
Supported back

I have breastfed in a wrap and it is safe to do

Thanks guys, thats really helpful I'll look into that some more to make sure I do it right, was worried when I read those articles.

Message deleted

And another guide to safe sling use (and warning about bag slings!) here

omgi, thanks for the TICKS list - here in your post is where I first saw it I've seen it somewhere since but can't for the life of me think where, so this thread is proving very handy