Baby slings and carriers have received some negative press recently as a result of a number of tragic incidents. Since 2010 there have been three infant deaths in Australia as a result of suffocation in a baby sling. As a mother that currently spends much of my time carrying a young baby in a sling such stories are alarming. Rather than causing me to abandon sling use though – these worst nightmare scenarios encourage me to be cautious and make every effort to ensure that I am using the sling correctly and safely.
Baby slings and carriers have been an integral part of my daily baby care with all three children. There are the obvious practical benefits, such as being able to feed oneself while carrying an unsettled infant. Beyond that though are the comfort they have given my babies, who obviously feel safe and nurtured in the sling meaning they are more likely to settle in them. The use of a sling is a major contributor in getting me out of the house with my own young baby at the moment as she almost always becomes unsettled in the stroller. For traveling parents a baby sling or carrier is arguably a must-have to carry baby once strollers are checked in, and on public transport.
Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology have recently suggested the following steps to maximize infant safety when using a carrier:
- Keep the child’s face and especially nose and mouth uncovered at all times;
- Avoid the child being curled into the ‘C’ position where the child’s chin touches the chest and blocks the airways;
- Show caution and seek medical advice for using baby sling carriers for premature infants, if they have a cold or a low birth weight
- Regularly checking the child to ensure the child has not slipped into the pouch (if the sling is a pouch type) covering the child’s nose and mouth;
- Reposition the child after breast feeding to keep the nose and mouth clear
I would also add the following
- Be wary of overheating infants in warm weather and purchase light weight slings for summer use or if traveling to the tropics.
- Never fall asleep with your infant in a sling.
As well as infant safety it is also important that the wearer of the sling listens to their body and limits or discontinues sling use if they begin to develop pain, for example of the carrying shoulder. As babies become heavier it may be useful to change to an alternative form of carrier such as a vertical carrier.
Have you used a baby sling or carrier? What have been your experiences?
About the author: Danielle Esler is a medical doctor trained in both general practice and public health medicine.
Disclaimer: This blog does not provide personalized medical advice. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy or the health of your own infant you should see your doctor.
This blog provides tips and advice for parents traveling with small children including travel health and destination advice. You can join us on Facebook to receive updates to your news feed.
I never found I could use a sling hands-free with a newborn and after hearing about those deaths I’m very glad I was cautious! I was always propping my newborn up with one arm because otherwise it “didn’t look right”. The sling was still my choice for that period, though – easy to use, breastfeed with and much more comfortable than carrying in arms.
At three months when they got head control everything was easier.
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