The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning to parents about problems with baby sling harness-like devices.
Seven infants have suffocated in the prone position in the sack-like bag. It attaches around the neck of the adult and rests around the stomach area in front of the adult where the baby lies prone. The baby sling will be the subject of a warning by the agency. “We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazardous scenarios for very small babies,” said Inez Tenenbaum, chair of the CPSC.
Seven infant deaths due to the defective child product have occurred in connection with baby slings over the last 11 years. Some of the deaths were ruled SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Generally that means there is no explanation for the death. The concern is that infants four months old and younger do not have enough neck strength and when their head bends forward it may cut off their oxygen supply.
Two infants have suffocated in the Infantino baby sling, reports Consumer Reports. Among other products not to buy for your infants, Consumer Reports says avoid the co-sleeping devices, baby bath seats, and crib bumper pads. In addition to the disruption in oxygen, Consumer Reports says at least 22 injuries have been reported when the child falls out of the sling.
