In Response to the Consumer Safety Commission Warning about Ring Slings
The warning is valid. It is totally possible for a baby to suffocate in a Ring Sling baby carrier if the baby is improperly placed in the sling. The carry or hold they are referring to is what I call the ‘Cradle Carry’. This hold is perfectly safe if done correctly. What needs to happen is the person using the sling should make sure that originally the baby is placed in the sling correctly. The next step would be to simply pay attention. It’s easy for baby to shift as the person using the sling moves around. If the ring sling wearer is aware of baby and their position, then this hold is safe, and there should be no worry for suffocation. For the slings I make, I have placed a warning within my Ring Sling Instructions about the caution that should be taken for this specific hold. Basically, anyone using a Ring Sling should learn as much as they can about their baby carrier and all of its uses.
All this being said, I don’t like the scare that’s being thrown out about this specific carrier. You could have some other type of carrier that was poorly made and have an equally tragic accident with it. Any number of things could happen within your household that result in death from something that was originally safe, but was misused. Think about the catastrophe that could happen if a negligent parent or caregiver wasn’t careful to make sure baby doesn’t smack their head on the sharp corner of the faucet in the bathtub. Or, even worse, the tragedy that could come from the baby left unattended in the bath water. We aren’t seeing huge warnings about bathtubs. What we do see is advice recommending care when bathing a child. The same concept should go for Ring Slings. The Ring Sling is not the problem, it’s the lack of vigilance on the sling wearer’s part. It should go without saying that anything you use for, around, with, under, or by your baby should be used with care and an understanding of how to keep the entire situation safe.
So, the conclusion I’ve come up with? This warning is well meaning, but really, it’s not the sling at fault; the misuse of the sling is to blame. Anyone selling these baby carriers should be aware of the risk, and should also make this risk apparent to anyone using their slings. But, such a negative regard for this useful product is really unnecessary. The good things about a Ring Sling by far out weigh the bad. For one, using a baby carrier keeps your child close to you. Closer, hopefully and usually, means that baby is being well cared for. In a sling your baby can be comforted far more than any swing, chair, or crib can offer. Instead of being across the house to hear your baby crying, you can be aware of the baby just beginning to awaken and offer comfort, food, or whatever it is they need before the baby gets to the point where they need to cry. The main reason for using such a baby carrier is to be closer to baby and to be more available to attend to any need the child may have. I feel strongly that the bad name does not belong on the shoulders of the Ring Sling, but the person who is using it incorrectly.
A sling is as safe as you want it to be.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Great post. Hope the people who need to read this will!
March 9th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
While I mostly agree, I do think that Infantino Slingrider bag type slings *are* inherently dangerous. I’m just so saddened that all slings are being lumped together in the headlines, since most can be used safely with proper education… *sigh*
March 11th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
We weren’t able to use that hold in a sling…Alexa hated being tucked inside a pouch. That said, when we did try, I was ALWAYS checking her position. We’ve had a lot of success with wraps, but I’m thinking of trying a sling again this summer so I can carry her on my hip when we’re out and about (which will happen MUCH more now that the weather is getting nicer!!).
March 12th, 2010 at 10:57 am
JPMA’s goal is to get safe products in the hands of parents and caregivers, and we thank you for sharing this message about juvenile product safety!
- JPMA Public Relations
March 16th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Too bad JPMA can’t do anything about the safe products that are in the hands of complete and utter morons. Is there an Association for that?
March 24th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Well said! I like the way Babywearing International likened improper use of a carrier to improper use of a car seat. Taking it a step further, this reminds me of all the bad press that airbags get when children get injured by them – children that shouldn’t BE in the front seat to get injured by an airbag.
I would have liked to see one of two things – either specifically call out pouches like the Infantino Slingrider by name and brand to actually inform consumers not to use these carriers with newborns or recommend specific warnings or instructions that should be included with slings. Most slings come with warnings much like the ones in the report, so how was it helpful?!
March 24th, 2010 at 10:48 am
You are so right, Steph. Anyone selling these slings is aware of the proper way to use the sling and conveys that to their customers. This big scare was really unnecessary and gives a horrible name to something that is extremely beneficial. And yes, they really should be pointing the finger at the awful design of the Infantino Slingrider. Other slings can be dangerous if not used properly, but the Slingrider’s danger was unavoidable.
April 15th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
very well put. just the other day i was wearing my YEAR OLD daughter sitting up in my Hotsling @ the grocery store. a couple of old ladies behind me in line started chattering about how THOSE are the slings they saw on the news, the ones that babies can suffocate in and blah, blah, blah. i was too busy/irritated/hands full of heavy baby & groceries to turn around and start in on them, but good lord it was annoying…
you know, just about anything can be dangerous if you’re dumb/careless enough. i could severely hurt myself with my curling iron, silverware, scissors, etc. wearing a baby is no different – if you’re stupid about it (sorry to say, but it’s true!) of course the baby could be hurt! just like a baby can be hurt in a stroller if a mom isn’t watching where she’s going and takes a corner with the child sticking his arm or leg out, or lets it roll down a hill. i guess this is my very non-eloquent way of saying we need to take personal responsibility for our children and make careful, EDUCATED choices about how we choose to travel with them, feed them, let them sleep and the like.
great post! this weekend i’m working on making a mini sling for my friend’s 15 month old daughter who is obsessed with dolls at the moment. i’ll make sure her mom has her wear her dollies safely! ;D
cheers!
April 16th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Your grocery store escapade sounds just like a story of a mom that made it into our local paper’s news article about the sling recall. She and I got a chance to “set people straight” about the whole deal in the article. I’m really happy they did the story. Hopefully the public will not throw away the idea of using such a beneficial thing.
The idea of making a little baby slings has crossed my mind. I’m glad you mentioned it, I might venture into making those soon! Thanks!