Baby Sling Safety
Carrying a baby in a sling, or 'babywearing', has many benefits that can help you keep your baby safe. When a baby is in the sling, you can see them, feel their movements and check on them more easily than if they were in a pram or pushchair, especially a forward facing one. You are likely to notice signs of distress or discomfort more quickly, such as when they are hungry or wet, which is why they are great for breastfeeding and elimination communication (not using nappies). The baby goes where you go, so you never have to leave a baby at the bottom of a step, or depend on a baby monitor, or push them out in front of you on a road.
When used properly, carrying a baby in a sling can be safer than carrying them in your arms. Many people find that carrying their baby is the only way to soothe them, and using a baby sling makes this task easier and safer; baby sings are designed to distribute the baby's weight evenly across your body, so can help prevent potential back problems, and they also help prevent muscle fatigue when carrying a baby.
As with anything concerning babies, good safety practices are vitally important. This article will offer some suggestions of good babywearing practice, but no set of guidelines can anticipate every circumstance. As when using any baby product, you are ultimately responsible for your child’s safety.
1) Always be observant of your baby. Check them frequently. A good rule of thumb is, position baby close enough to kiss the top of their head, and carry your baby with his bottom at or above your belly button height. This ensures the baby is visible at all times.
2) Make sure your baby can breathe. The baby’s face should never be covered by fabric or any other obstruction. Covering a baby’s head and face can cause her to “rebreathe” the same air, which can be dangerous. Also, covering her head and face keeps you from being able to check on her. Be vigilant when breastfeeding in a sling. CPSC recommends changing the baby’s position after feeding so the baby’s head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother’s body.
3) Babies should never be positioned with their chin resting on their chest, as this C- like position restricts the baby's airway and constrict oxygen. This applies not only to baby carriers, but to babies in arms, in baby carriers, in car seats, or in any other kind of seat or situation. Newborns lack the muscle control to open their airways. They need good back support in carriers so that they don’t slump into the chin-to-chest position. Avoid 'bag' type baby carriers in which baby is intended to be placed in this C-like position.
4) Always ensure good positioning. The baby’s head should always be above the rest of his/her body. The baby’s knees should always be higher than his/her bottom. The safest position for a young baby is tummy-to-tummy and upright. This can be accomplished in wraparounds, ring slings, pouches, mei tais and soft structured carriers. For infants, the baby carrier should fully support his bottom, back and neck. For older babies worn with legs out, the baby carrier should support from the back of his knees to his shoulders. Young babies without head control should always be positioned so that their head is supported by the sling.
5) As with any baby product, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use. Only use carriers that are appropriate for your baby’s age and weight, and learn to use the carrier properly. Take safety precautions when learning new carries, such as practising with a doll or teddy first, and practising over a soft surface such as a bed.
6) Never jog, run, jump on a trampoline, or do any other activity that subjects your baby to similar shaking or bouncing motion. “This motion can do damage to the baby’s neck, spine and/or brain,” explains the American Chiropractic Association.
7) Baby slings are not car seats or bicycle seats, and should not be used as such, they do not provide the protection of products designed for this purpose.
8) Check your sling regularly for signs of wear and tear. Check the fabric, seams, and any buckles or other fasteners. Do this every time you use it. Don’t use a carrier unless it is structurally sound.
9) Do not use a baby carrier whilst doing activities that could increase your risk of falls. Such activities include climbing ladders, horse riding, cycling and skating
10) Be aware of where your baby's body is, and take care when walking through doorways or going under overhanging trees, washing lines, etc. Be aware of what your baby can reach. In particular, be aware that a baby on your back can reach things you can’t see. Also, avoid reaching for overhead items while carrying your baby, which could fall and hit them.
11) If you should wear protective gear while doing an activity, you shouldn’t do it while carrying a baby. Baby carriers do not provide hearing protection, eye protection, protection from projectiles such as rocks flung from a lawn mower, protection from fumes or dust such as occur during lawn mowing and some household cleaning tasks, or protection from falls.
12) Protect your baby from the elements. Little limbs and heads may need sun protection. Don’t dress your baby too warmly in the summer, and don’t use a baby carrier under circumstances that could cause the baby to suffer heat stress. Don’t let your baby get too cold in the winter. (There are some excellent coats and ponchos designed especially for use with baby carriers, and you can also improvise or make your own.)
13) Beware risk of Burns. Carrying a baby while cooking or carrying hot food or drinks may increase risk of burns. A baby in arms or in a carrier is at stovetop height, and burns can occur. Reaching into a hot oven while carrying a baby also puts the baby at risk of burns.
14) Boating. While it might seem more secure to use a baby carrier to board a small boat than to carry a baby in arms, the safer practice is to have the baby wear a personal flotation device. Personal flotation devices are generally not compatible with baby carriers. Moreover, if you fell into the water, having your baby securely held to your body by a baby carrier would be a grave danger.
Information from:
- http://babywearinginternational.org/articles.php?article=2
- http://babywearinginternational.org/pages/InfantSlingSafety.php
additional information about the CPSC statement here:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/03/prweb3718984.htm