© getty
Brilio.net/en - When a baby stroller is not an option, whats more comfortable than using a baby sling to carry infants? From shopping-mall exploration to afternoon walks in the park, thousands of parents rely on baby slings for a lot of great reasons. But while you are enjoying the fussy baby that has calmed in your sling, the snug carrier may actually be causing them harm.
As warned by the Consumer safety groups, baby slings are wonderful for bonding with the baby, and for carrying them easily, but the sling also can be deadly if used too early or the wrong way.
At least 14 deaths in the world associated with baby slings have occurred in the last 17 years, according to Consumer Reports, along with dozens of injuries. Heres what you need to know:
1. Babies under 4-month-old face a significant risk of suffocation
In Salem, Oregon 2010, a 7-day-old baby suffocated in an infant sling as his mother was walking drom a store to her parked car. Lisa Cochran blamed the infant swing for her sons death. She was so deeply grieved and found herself unable to get out of bed, shower or even talk on the phone for weeks. For her, it was too painfulbecause the first thing everyone asks is, How's the baby?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), suffocation is a most significant risk for infants under 4-month old in baby slings. In fact, 12 of the 14 reported deaths from baby slings occurred in babies less than 4 months old.
A warning on the CSPS website says that in the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling's fabric can press against an infant's nose and mouth, blocking the baby's breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two.
While the Consumer Reports put baby slings to a list of dangerous baby products to avoid, CPSC and Mayo Clinic permit baby sling usage for babies over 4-month old with proper precautions.
2. Avoid slings which design forces babys body to form a fetal or curled position
Forced fetal or curled position can put pressure on your babys breathing passages, even if her or his nose and mouth are clear. Even if its regular sling that you have, check your baby regularly to make sure his/her body hasnt sunk down so far. You may know that when you cant kiss your babys forehead. The babys chin shouldnt also be resting on her/his chest. That position will interfere with normal breathing.
3. A beautiful used slings may harm your baby
The beautiful and largely sought slings you see on the online marketplace may have been recalled for suffocation hazards. Or it may have worn fasteners and weakened stitching points. So, before you decide to buy, check the model numbers against the CPSC product recalls of infant slings.
4. Never bend over with a precious bundle in the sling
If you have to reach for something low, its better to bend on your knees rather than bending over. When you lean over, the pressure made by your body may hurt the baby. Other risk, she/he could slip free of the sling and fall to the ground. CPSC has noted dozens of injuries, including skull fractures, head injuries, bruises and scrapes that occurred when infants toppled out of a sling.
5. Check for the hardware before putting your baby inside
Just as the mountain-hikers check for their hardware before climbing or rappelling, give the fasteners a tug to make sure theyre secure.
Source:Safebee
(brl/tis)
