Not all slings are created equal: Baby Slings are safe and beneficial to mothers and infants
In March 2010, a warning was issued on the use of ‘bag-style’ slings in the USA. This was based on a study that was looking into the safety of these slings due to injuries and deaths of baby’s whist in these slings. Infant safety is no doubt the most important issue to any person working with babies, advising on infants and developing products. For this reason I have taken the time to look at the article by Associated Press.
It is important to note a few facts: firstly slings are enormously beneficial to babies as well as being convenient for parents. Secondly the slings in question are a particular style that at this stage are not available in South Africa. These bag slings are generally connected by a clip that is not safe in my opinion and also position babies in a position that may inhibit breathing. I believe that by using one of a multitude of safe style slings according to the instructions, one should not see any risk to babies.
Benefits:
Baby wearing is one of the most wonderful ways a mother can nurture her baby. Over thousands of years and in most cultures women carried their babies in slings. Sadly this tried and trusted method went out of vogue in the 1900’s when modern prams (made popular by Maclaren in 1965) became a fashion item and were used with ease on smooth surfaces like pavements and in shopping centres. Sadly babies lost out on the benefits of being carried and nurtured close to their mom.
In recent years we have seen a trend back towards natural methods of childcare and sensory based parenting. Research by respected baby care medical experts such as Urs A. Hunziker MD and Ronald G. Barr MDCM, FRCP(C), Dr. Maria Blois amongst others supports the numerous benefits thereof. Babies who are carried in a sling are conclusively calmer than babies who are not[1]. Other benefits include:
· Social benefits – the baby is at the parent’s level, reading signals and seeing the world with the parent.
· Bonding – the parent has a greater opportunity to read the baby’s signals and connect with the baby at close proximity
· Developmental – the vestibular input provided by slings facilitates motor development of tone, balance reactions and later motor milestones
· Breastfeeding[2]
· Language development – the baby and parent communicate more and benefits may be seen in verbal IQ
Due to the rise in popularity of sling carriers over the past few years there are more and more available on the market a few of which are not safe. These slings have elasticised edges or drawstrings that pull the fabric over the baby. They are deep sling bags that position the baby low on the mother’s body.
Using slings safely:
When choosing a sling, a mother must look for a ring sling, mei tais, wrap or pouch sling all of which do not pose the risks that are being highlighted. These slings are simple, without ties and gimmicks. This style of slings are frequently tested and approved by a standards organisation in the USA.
Bear these additional tips in mind: Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S.
Tight ü
In view at all times ü
Close enough to kiss ü
Keep chin off the chest ü
Supported straight back ü
Hi Megan
Thank you for your input on this. I was ofcourse concerned about slings when I saw the article, but it did make it clear that it was the bag style sling that was the one in question and the article did mention that Ring slings were amongst the safest to use. There are so many different slings on the market these days that it is often difficult to decide on which one to choose, with parents often choosing the most stylish looking one rather than taking into account the safety and comfort of the baby.
Having used the Baby Sense Ring extensively with both my children, and having seen most of the other slings and carriers on the market in the UK I feel that the Baby Sense sling is one of the best available. It is 100% cotton so the baby can breath and it is soft against the babies skin. It has the rings which actually pull tighter the more weight you put into it, as opposed to the clips which become less safe the more weight you put in, plus the Baby Sense Sling is fully adjustable to whoever is using it. It is not set up to the parent who uses it most. Whoever uses the ring sling easily adjusts the strap to fit tight and snuggly against them.
I am pleased that the article in the USA came out to highlight the safety issues around certain carriers. It will certainly make parents more careful about the type of carrier they choose to use.
Really love what and how you wrote your article. Seriously, the word on the street for pregnant woman or new mothers is (you aren’t suppose to wear slings now)….ok what a blanket statement. I get really heated that people aren’t even considering using slings now that the recalled happened (I care about sling safety too and about the horrible events that happened with the recalled slings), but all the other brands are being lumped together with this manufacturer. Not all slings are created equal….just like with the Toyota recall, should be all stop driving our cars since one model was recalled….. no nonsensical. Just like any other product you are going to use with your new child, research it and you will find that simple pouch slings and wrap slings have not been recalled and if used correctly are fine and safe to use.
Thank you for writing this article!! Saying that baby slings are dangerous is ridiculous. The problem is with the users not educating their selves correctly on how to use them safely. They’re carrying a precious child, they need to just spend 10 minutes learning how to use them properly!