My mother forwarded me this anti-sling article

[aikigypsy]

Sling "safety warning" article

My mother forwarded this to me, and I can't quite articulate all the ways in which it makes me angry. The trouble is, there is a valid point in there -- that slings are not 100% safe -- but it offers no comparisons against the safety of, say, strollers. Also it promotes the Baby Bjorn, which has problems of its own the article neglects to mention.

I also feel that back carries for older babies and toddlers are actually a bit safer than front carries, at least as I use them. Anyhow, just wanted to share my annoyance.

[Forthwith]

You could try sending her this link:

Is my sling safe? -or- Not all slings are created equal!

[ariatrance]

I am so over Consumer Reports recommendations. These people are trying to do their best but they don't think of common ways people use certain products and maybe what factors should be tested.

For example: car seats. Maybe ease of correct installation should be a factor? Most seats are safe, if correctly installed. But there are some out there that are so flipping difficult to get right, you know?!

The anti-sling stance is just another poorly researched recommendation. It's all because of the horrible bag sling style that will not be taken off the market. I too think that a baby wrapped snuggly onto mama's back is less likely to be injured than a baby on the loose in a stroller rolling away from an unattentive mama.....okay, totally harsh hypothetical but's it what I've got tonight, k?

[claddaghmom]

just off the top of my head...I recommend further sourcing if you want to share:

7 sling deaths in the last 8?? years??
8 strangulation deaths since 2001 (window blind cords)

in 2008:
209 baby boys died from circumcision
720 babies died from contaminated formula/associated illness
37,500 people died in car accidents and 250,000 children were seriously injured


And this is not even including more relevant numbers, such as how many die in cribs and strollers.

[Loving1]

Thank you for this info. After the govt's report, someone called me at midnight and first thing in the morning to ask if I'd seen the report that my plan to carry my child in a sling could be fatal. This person has taken upon herself to give me all kinds of unsolicited advice because I'm a first time mome & it's annoying to have the govt and news putting out bad info. for people to try to beat parents over the head.

[SeekingJoy]

Originally Posted by Loving1

Thank you for this info. After the govt's report, someone called me at midnight and first thing in the morning to ask if I'd seen the report that my plan to carry my child in a sling could be fatal. This person has taken upon herself to give me all kinds of unsolicited advice because I'm a first time mome & it's annoying to have the govt and news putting out bad info. for people to try to beat parents over the head.

That is hard. Maybe she has the best of intentions to let you know that some slings and holds are safe and some sling styles and holds can be dangerous for newborns?

[ursaminor]

I saw an anti-sling article on the front of yahoo.com last night. That's why I jumped on this forum to see what everyone thinks. Personally, those bag style slings never looked like a good idea to me. What I liked about my sling (I used a pouch style and wrap) is that I can feel my baby against me, I can feel him breathing and can adjust him accordingly - It seems to me (but I am not sure because I have never used one), that bag slings encase the baby in more of a pod close to the torso. That seems to be the danger.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by aikigypsy

Sling "safety warning" article

My mother forwarded this to me, and I can't quite articulate all the ways in which it makes me angry. The trouble is, there is a valid point in there -- that slings are not 100% safe -- but it offers no comparisons against the safety of, say, strollers. Also it promotes the Baby Bjorn, which has problems of its own the article neglects to mention.

I also feel that back carries for older babies and toddlers are actually a bit safer than front carries, at least as I use them. Anyhow, just wanted to share my annoyance.

From the link you posted.

People have a tendency to trip and fall,” Mays said. “We see a certain number of those incidents as well. You can’t necessarily see what’s directly below you.”

So? Whats the difference if you have a kid in a sling or holding them?

What a ridiculus article. Nonesense.

[KatWrangler]

Originally Posted by Loving1

Thank you for this info. After the govt's report, someone called me at midnight and first thing in the morning to ask if I'd seen the report that my plan to carry my child in a sling could be fatal. This person has taken upon herself to give me all kinds of unsolicited advice because I'm a first time mome & it's annoying to have the govt and news putting out bad info. for people to try to beat parents over the head.

Don't listen to this person. Slings have been used for centurys in practically all cultures.

You have a question, come here.

[theoldmommers]

Originally Posted by Kelmendi

You could try sending her this link:

Is my sling safe? -or- Not all slings are created equal!

Thank you for posting this link. It was exactly the info I was looking for.

[almadianna]

Just some links from BWI.
http://babywearinginternational.org/...lingSafety.php

http://babywearinginternational.org/pages/safety.php

Babywearing is safe and I wish that articles would be a little more responsible about how they are portraying a tradition that is as old as time itself.