Baby Sling Recall Fallout: What’s the Best Way to Tote an Infant?

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Ring slings and pouches are NOT bad or unsafe. The products that were recalled were "BAG SLINGS"!! They look like a duffle bag to carry your baby in. They have the baby way too low and in an unsafe position. THEY are what is unsafe.

A baby, worn in any carrier, should be held the way you would naturally hold them in your arms. Who carries their baby by their waist?? No one! The baby should always be high enough in a carrier to kiss their head... it they're not, they're too low.

Most experienced babywearers recommend an upright position opposed to a cradle position when wearing anyway. It keeps baby close, kissable and safe!

If a carrier is safe and properly worn, there should be no worries.

Bag slings are bad... ring slings, pouches, wraps, soft structured carriers and mei tais are safe when used properly!

Lose the bag, not the sling! of CO 10:38AM December 19, 2010

The slings that were recalled always looked unsafe to me. I cringed seeing a baby pretty much folded up in them and hanging down at mom or dad's waist. That is NOT how you baby wear and it's a shame they are tarnishing all slings. Baby should be up on your chest and always visible. I learned all about various slings at http://www.ababycarrier.com. When practiced safely, babywearing is an invaluable tool and amazing experience.

Aubrey of FL 1:01PM December 09, 2010

I carried my son home from hospital and until he was 2 yrs old in a huggababy sling and I could not have done without it. It was the best baby essential item I ever bought. I think it would be a tragedy if slings and babywearing were discouraged as a Mom who's baby is now a huge 13.5 yrs old I am so grateful to have found the huggababy as those first 2 years of his life were so precious and as we know our children's lives fly by in an instant and to have the 2 years holding him close in the baby sling were the best for him and me. Whenever we are out and we see babies being carried by their Moms or Dads in a sling we both go all gooie, yes even him at 13.5!

It goes without saying that if a baby's airways are restricated it will not be able to breath whether they are in a car seat, a pram, a cot or a baby sling and therefore I sincerely hope common sense will prevail here and parents will continue to wear thier babies in baby slings safely. Make sure their faces are not covered and you can get your finger between their chin and chest.

Don't be put off by the scare mongering along with breast feeding, and it is done safely and with common sense it is the best start you can give your baby. You never get a moment back with your baby so make the most of every one of them.

Fiona Swann of LA 3:04AM October 03, 2010

my 1-month old just fell out of a sling & injured her leg, but fortunately not her head & i am a very careful, cautious mom. while i suspect all slings are not inherently dangerous, this was very frightening & my family is still suffering from the incident. at least i must emphasize the need for EXTRA caution at all times.

renee of OR 11:51PM August 09, 2010

The moby is the way to go. My daughter was never placed in the sling hold as the moby doesn't hold that way, so she was never in harms way. The moby is so functional and much safer!! It looks overwhelming, but watch YouTube video and practice a few times. Really simple!

Chicago of IL 6:12PM July 20, 2010

I cant speak for other mothers out there but I used the moby wrap from day one with my son and absoultly love it. I was able to breastfeed and get around. When we were out and about my son would sleep in the wrap and it was a lot easier on my back then having to care his car seat so he could stay asleep. Another great thing about this wrap is that my son was born with bilateral club feet and i was able to carry him up right without having to to worry about pressure on his cast. I would 100% recommend this wrap to any mother and have so in the past, but also know that there are proper ways to tie the wrap and if you are doing so incorrectly then its not going to do the job.

m.k of WA 5:49PM July 13, 2010

This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is really good one and gives indepth information. many thanks for this nice post.

Trendy Strollers of AL 9:11AM June 22, 2010

I have a baby who is 5 weeks old and since she was 3 days, we have used a sling that I made out of a sarong. The bag style carriers that were recalled definitely look scary, particularly for a newborn, but a sling or a wrap that is tied properly (a lot of developed and not-so developed countries seem to have gotten it right) is comfortable for the parent and the child, and makes life easier, if nothing else. Setting aside the suffocation concern, the bag style ones look like they place too much weight on the shoulder and do not support the baby at all. I look at products like that and think, "whoever came up with that design clearly has never carried a child in his life."

Marissa of TN 2:49PM May 13, 2010

Because it was so convenient to get around, i loved having each of my babies in slings or other baby carriers. I definitely got the most use out of the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder adjustable ring sling-it could be used for infant right through to hip slinging my toddlers when they needed to be in arms. Also can be used while breastfeeding, but my other upright carrier could not.

Really whatever type of carrier that is safe and works for the family is best--it is great to keep baby close and be hands-free!

Eileen of NJ 10:26PM May 10, 2010

We started with the sling: I could not stand it as I had to adjust it all the time, the baby seemed to be uncomfortable and I always had the feeling my son will fall out. My husband and I gave up after trying for a while. It is just not easy, you really have to LEARN how to use it.

We purchased the baby bjorn and we loved it. It is easy to use, easy to adjust and easy to bring along. When the baby got fussy in the stroller he enjoyed the view from the baby bjorn. We used it till our son was to heavy approx. 14 pounds.

We just bought an ergo carrier as our son (9 months and 20 pounds) is to heavy for the baby bjorn. The ergo carrier is easy to use, easy to adjust and to bring along and the baby actually sits in it (ergo). The weight is on the hips so shoulders are fine.

sandra of FL 11:59PM April 24, 2010

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