Newborn breathing in sling?

[ihugtrees]

I've read that tiny babies aren't supposed to have their chins touch their chest, as it cuts off air supply. I've also read that breathing their own recycled air *can* be one of the causes of SIDS. I've never heard of any safety issues with wearing a baby in a sling, but I wonder how neither of these things causes problems in small newborns when being worn? I can't wait to wear my LO, but someone asked me this and I wasn't sure what to say...the one small baby I saw being worn in person was in a Peanut Shell, and she was definitely really scrunched up, with her chin on her chest and kind of snuggled against mom, so probably breathing her own air too...

Sorry if this is a silly question :-P

[Juvysen]

I wore my newborn in a slingling in sort of a tummy to tummy carry... he was upright-ish... his head was usually leaning back a little... generally his cheek was on my chest...

[mum21andtwins]

there is a post on the babywearer about bag style slings where someone did a ton of research into a specific type of sling (premaxx? can't remember the make) she goes into a lot of detail on babies and breathing in slings I believe its a sticky.

Can't go and look for it now as I'm nak but I seem to remember the author was called meliss?
hth

[pixiepunk]

this can be a problem, particularly in cradle carries in pouches and ring slings. it's worst in 'bag' type slings that are usually available at big box commercial stores where the only option is a low cradle carry. i know for sure of at least one baby who died in a pouch, i think it was at a LLL meeting - truly awful.

carrying baby upright, tummy-to-tummy is the safest way with baby's head just under your chin. then you can hear baby's breath, and keep baby's head in a safe position. if you want to do a cradle carry, a rolled-up receiving blanket can be useful in maintaining a safe position, and using a see-through high quality mexican rebozo or solarveil, mesh or similar fabric that baby can breathe through is a good idea. or a partial cradle-carry, where the baby is more upright but still partially reclined. i personally only cradle carry to nurse and then put baby back T2T, i don't like having baby's head too far away.

there's a mama over on thebabywearer who actually got hold of some equipment and did tests on oxygen levels with babies in different positions in different types of slings which you might be interested in. don't have time to find the link right now...

oh, and i want to note, too, that babies also can have this problem in carseats that are not at the proper incline angle, and in strollers and bouncy seats and swings. and those situations can be much more dangerous because the mama isn't right there and able to observe changes in breathing patterns. it's something people need to be aware of with newborns on a whole, not just with baby carriers.

[witchypants]

I'd be really interested in those links if anyone is able to get to them! There was a thread in here earlier than mentioned this issue I think it was the 'rude comment at the Farmer's market' that got me thinking about this as well...

[baturay]

Here's a link with an article about correct positioning.
http://www.thebabywearer.com/article...ositioning.pdf