More than 1 million Infantino slings were recalled this morning after 3 infants have died due to suffocating. This is very sad and potentially harmful to parents in favor of baby wearing, at least in my eyes. I can just see where this could go, especially since there are no federal safety rules for baby slings.
One million of these infant slings are being recalled in the United States and 15,000 are being recalled in Canada. CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using these slings for infants younger than four months of age due to a risk of suffocation and contact Infantino for a free replacement product.
CPSC is aware of three reports of deaths that occurred in these slings in 2009; a 7-week-old infant in Philadelphia, Pa.; a 6-day-old infant in Salem, Ore.; and a 3-month-old infant in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Infantino “SlingRider,†(editor’s note: top photo) is a soft fabric baby carrier with a padded shoulder strap that is worn by parents and caregivers to carry an infant weighing up to 20 lbs. “Infantino†is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap. “Infantino,†“SlingRider†and the item number are printed on the instruction/warning label inside the baby sling carrier. “Wendy Bellissimo†(editor’s note: bottom photo) branded sling carriers were sold exclusively at Babies “R†Us and have a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says in part “Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc.” and lists Item numbers 3937500H7 and 3937501H7.
Contact Infantino toll-free at (866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.infantino.com
Earlier this month when reports were circulating about the safety of baby slings, I have to admit that I did not pay much attention to it. Shame on me, right? But the thing is I have seven children and have used baby wearing in some form or another with each one of them. Just because there have been a couple deaths, remember only three, which all occurred last year – I’m not going to let that change my philosophy of keeping my baby close to me during their first few months. That is not to say that I am not concerned about the parents of these lost children because I sympathize with them and know how much they are hurting. It also makes me more aware of how important baby’s position is while being worn in a baby carrier, like a sling.
On March 12, 2010, CPSC issued a warning about sling carriers for babies. Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. 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. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.
CPSC has determined that a mandatory standard is needed for infant sling carriers. While a mandatory standard is being developed, CPSC staff is working with ASTM International and concerned companies such as Infantino to quickly develop an effective voluntary standard for slings. There currently are no safety standards for infant sling carriers.
Resources:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml10/10177.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100324/ap_on_bi_ge/us_baby_slings_recall
As a retailer of baby carriers, slings and wraps, and a father who
uses many different types at home, I know first hand how important the
safety of these products is. I also know it is a top priority of all
the manufactures in the industry, and an enormous amount of time is
spent ensuring it stays that way.
Most baby carrier products come with precise instructions, as well as
an 800 support number if mothers/fathers have any questions. If worn
correctly, 99% of the baby carriers, slings and wraps on the market
are completely safe to use.
We welcome future regulation of the industry to ensure the slings, carriers and wraps being produced are safe for our family, friends, clients and the public to use.
Kyle K
Founder of http://www.organicbabycarriers
Very sad that 3 infants have already died from this. Wish I knew more about what exactly happened and if the carriers were being used correctly. I feel really bad for the parents.
I feel terrible for these parents! I think however that these babies were incorrectly in the sling. Infantino should probably put out an instructions manual to show how to use them. Also these slings are not the best out there. The ones made with the sling rings are much more sturdy and easily worn so that the babies have a lot of breathing space and they are sturdy enough to hold 300 pounds! i hope this gets resolved.
Thank you, Sharyn. For not only understanding that I feel for the parents, but that the problem was with the slings and not the act of wearing their babies.
I find your comment about “only three” babies have died appalling. I have a 5 month old, and it was a miracle in itself that she made it through the pregnancy due to an issue. You have seven children. Congrats, I pray that none of these “only” were their parents only. I know many who struggle for years to become pregnant…..so there is no “only” for these parents. You seem to have no idea about these issues, or you are so insensitive that it doesn’t matter to you. I hope for your sake all your children don’t have issues conceiving, or you will get to live the hell it is.
I am sorry that you were offended by my statement, but I also made a clarifying statement that it wasn’t due to insensitivity to the parents who lost a baby, but perhaps you missed that.
As a matter of fact I have lost FIVE babies in utero anywhere from 10 weeks to 18 weeks in my pregnancies and still hurt five years after the loss of our son Matthew at 18 weeks. So the reason I have so many children is in part because I know how precious life is, so perhaps you should take what people say at face value when they state that they know the hurt and pain parents go through when they lose a child, which is exactly what I said in my post. Every loss is unique and individual, but still hurts those that go through it.
Our feelings must be with those families who have lost their child, regardless of the reason.
Woaw!!! I hope that not a single kid had problem with such infant slings