safely using the baby sling

In the past year, 3 infant death with a sling as possible cause of death have been reported.  It is in several recent news source including CNN and medical news today. I can't even imagine how horrible it must be to lose a baby, and my thoughts go out to the parents.  But, I have a mixed feelings on all this panic that is starting to spread.

SPCS (U.S. Consumer Product  Safety Commission) has released an official warning and recall on Infantino slings. This, I believe, is the right thing to do as a government agency whose role is to protect us consumers.  I also think, it is important for us to be a responsible consumer and a learnt user of the product we purchase, especially when it concerns the well-being of our children.  Babies drown in bathtubs, but we don't stop bating them. We bathe them carefully.

As for the benefit of baby-wearing, a non-profit organization Babywearing International, along with thousands of years of human history would tell us how great and important it is. This is not a fashion or a fad.  They released their response to the SPCS warning, and it is sound and informative. A quote from the response:

"Slings are wonderful parenting tools when used properly and safely," said Lois Balster, MD, FAAP, IBCLC, a San Mateo, California pediatrician and a member of Babywearing International's board of directors. "Using a sling incorrectly is like using an infant car seat without proper installation, infant positioning, and restraints," Dr. Balster explained. "It is always important to position your baby safely in any carrier or infant-carrying device."

So why pick sling over the vertical carrier that isn't part of this warming?  I chose a sling, because I was told by my physical therapist that the baby's spine is supported in the more natural position in the sling, where the vertical carrier compresses and stresses it.  There are many articles on this, and here is one on nursing baby.com by  Rochelle L. Casses, D.C. (which is Doctor of Chiropractic.)

I am a huge fan of our slings from kangarookorner.  It is stretchy and snug against the wearer's body and the baby, so it is easy to adjust and keep the desired position.  We also have always been careful when we put our baby in it.  We always made sure to have her face out, or position her inside so her airway was straight and breathing. We still hip-carry her 24lb body when she's tired and cranky.  I do believe it has contributed to Kharin's easy-going, friendly, fearlessness - because we are attached.

It is really hard to figure out what the best thing to do is for our babies, and all we can do is our best.