Once used mostly by hippies and crunchies, slings have become an extra trendy way of carrying babies and toddlers.
But as convenient, cool and snuggly as slings are, they may not be the safest choice to carry a baby. According to the Consumer Reports safety blog, standards setting organization ASTM International is starting the process to create standards for sling carriers, at the request of manufacturers.
Improper use or ring failure can result in bruises, fractures or other injuries when a baby falls out of the sling, and the Consumer Products Safety Commission has found a risk of "positional asphyxia" when a baby's head is too far forward in the sling and their airway is cut off. CPSC has recalled slings in the past, including, last year, the Infantino pictured.
According to the blog, "Most of the sling carriers demonstrated at the ASTM meeting seemed complicated to put on and prone to user error. Clear instructions and perhaps video demonstrations might help prevent mistakes."
Hah, I say. The brand of sling I use has video demonstrations right on its website. Do you know what they use to demonstrate? A doll. Which is smaller, lighter, and a hell of a lot less wiggly and floppy than any infant I've ever met.
What worked for me is always putting the baby in the sling over a soft surface like the couch or bed, so if I do slip up their fall will be cushioned. Also, I tend not to use the sling a lot until they are a little older and have more head control. And getting a friend who both uses the same kind of sling you do and has a lick of sense about positioning the baby in it is really helpful, since "complicated to put on" is a bit of an understatement for even the simple pouch sling I use.
