Baby Sling Safety: The CPSC warning has been misreported, baby slings can be used safely from birth … but some sling-like carriers should be recalled

The following is the text of our press release that we distributed today:

Babywearing experts say CPSC baby sling warning is good information, but inaccurate reporting and failure to recall unsafe slings are putting babies at risk

BIRMINGHAM, ALA., March 16, 2010 – Local baby sling experts say the warning issued Friday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission concerning baby slings contains the same admonitions they routinely give parents and caregivers: “be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months of age,” and “make sure the infant’s face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling’s wearer.”

This information is true and helpful as far as it goes, say the volunteer leaders of Babywearing International of Birmingham, a nonprofit support and advocacy group that helps parents and caregivers use baby slings and other baby carriers. But they say the CPSC did not go far enough and recall certain unsafe sling-like carriers that, because of their design, make it impossible to follow the CPSC’s advice.

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Baby sling safety: Video about protecting your baby’s airway

Here is a short video from Wrapsody about protecting your baby’s airway in a sling:

You can see more of Wrapsody’s how-to videos, including a general babywearing safety video, here.

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Great newborn wrap video!

This is great not just because it has a cool soundtrack and text directions, but because this wrapper knows what she’s doing. Watch how she positions this newborn in the wrap (in the spread squat position with feet out) and then how she adds a headrest for excellent support:

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“Are your meetings breastfeeding-friendly?”

Often, folks will email us before attending their first meeting, and this question came up recently in one such email. Our meetings are friendly, period. Babies come, and since they require frequent feeding, people feed them. Breast or bottle … we aren’t going to look at you funny either way.

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My favorite pouch tip

Pouches are supposed to be simple: there’s nothing to adjust or tie, you just pop your baby in and go.  But here’s the thing: it’s entirely too easy to pop your baby in a pouch improperly in the cradle position and end up with a squished baby with a restricted airway. That is not good. Babies need to breathe. There are some workarounds if your baby just really loves the cradle position. Go read M’Liss Stelzer’s article on correct newborn positioning. If your baby doesn’t insist on lying down, though, try the tummy to tummy position:

 

Many people don’t even realize that the tummy to tummy position is an option for their newborns. But yes, a pouch can hold a newborn in an upright position, and most babies like it. His feet will just curl up under him in the fetal position … which he’s used to! Pull the fabric on the outside of the pouch high enough to support his back well, but make sure there’s still fabric between the baby and your body. If you need to tighten the fabric, try a shoulder flip (see step six here). 

Older babies like this position as well. There comes a time when he’ll need to change from being “feet in” to “feet out.”  When that happens, remember to make sure his bottom is well below his knees … his weight should be on his bottom, not the backs of his legs. Also, you may need to pull the fabric back from behind his knees so it doesn’t dig in to the backs of his knees. 

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Newborn Back Wrapping Tutorial

Christine, an amazingly talented babywearer in Ontario, posted this awesome newborn back carry tutorial on TheBabyWearer.  (TheBabyWearer forums are free; sign up if you haven’t already!)

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