Incidents may occur to babies and infants being carried in baby slings. Baby slings are similar to soft carriers but tend to be less structured and do not have integral leg openings.
From incidents abroad reported during the use of these baby slings, suffocation or asphyxia is one of the main known risks associated with these products.
This can happen through a process known as mechanical suffocation brought about when babies are contained entirely within the pouch, with nose and mouth pressed against the wearer’s body or sling.
This position blocks breathing and can rapidly suffocate the baby within a few minutes. Furthermore, suffocation can be brought about by a process known as postural suffocation, whereby these sling-type carriers force the infant into a curled position when the head is inside the sling.
Infants in this position are likely to stay curled and this causes acute neck hyper flexion (chin touching chest), which can interfere with breathing, leading to loss of consciousness and death.
Infants have relatively large heads and weak neck muscles and hence are unlikely to be strong enough to extricate themselves. Moreover, constrictions to airways may hinder any cry for help.
Other risks associated with the use of baby slings include infant falls due to structural failures of baby slings or, for example, when babies are not properly put into slings or the sling is too loose.
Falls are also associated with the user of the baby sling tripping or falling, particularly when the wearer tries to use the product without assistance, uses it incorrectly or is unbalanced.
The MCCAA recommends parents and child carers that medical advice be sought before a sling is used for a premature or low birth weight baby or for a baby with a medical condition.
Safe use requires that the sling wearer be aware of how to position and carry the baby. It must be ensured that the baby’s face is clear of the fabric. The advice is to carry the baby so you can see the face and nose. The child must be constantly monitored when being carried in the sling, with its face never pressed against the sling but uncovered and visible to the wearer.
After nursing, care must be taken so as to reposition the child’s face so as not to remain pressed to the wearer’s body. Moreover, the child’s chin is not in a position to restrict breathing, such as resting on or near the chest.
The child is positioned securely in the sling and its weight must be within the manufacturer’s recommended minimum and maximum weights.
The MCCAA also warns economic operators of the need to ensure that adequate warnings and instructions accompany these products at the point of purchase so that parents and carers are able to use them safely. The authority also advises economic operators to ensure that products placed on the market comply with legal requirements.
This notice does not refer to such soft carriers or baby carriers with frames.
This information has been provided by Marie Antoinette Ellul, scientist, Technical Regulations Division, at the MCCAA.
odette.vella@mccaa.org.mt
Odette Vella is senior information officer, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.