Should I have said something?

[InMediasRes]

I'm kicking myself. I saw a mom today wearing her baby in one of those bag slings. The baby was hanging well below her belt. Of course, I could only see part of the sling because she had a thick blanket draped over her shoulder and covering THE ENTIRE OPENING of the sling.

I hate being approached by strangers and criticised, no matter how "well meaning" they are, but I also do my research. Nothing about the way this mama was wearing her baby looked safe.

Would you have said something? I can't think of any nice way to have said something that wouldn't come off as criticism. And I don't want to turn people off to babywearing either.

[ursaminor]

Maybe if someone (a little better at graphic design then myself) could help come up with printer ready cards with info on the recall and safe babywearing positions..? I think maybe some mamas might take offense still. but it could be well worded with helpful links, and if it was still encouraging the benefits of babywearing. I would be grateful for some valuable information about my baby's health and well-being. Just yesterday I saw signs in Marshals about the recall.

[zensven42]

I would absolutely say something. I would not try to sound nasty or judgmental, but rather just inform that the product is dangerous and possibly fatal to the child, state that there are many other types of slings that ARE safe, and give the name of a good website where they can find good info: www.sleepingbaby.net. If they got defensive, I would apologize and state I am not trying to say they are a bad parent or offend them, but that rather that I thought they hadn't heard about the issues with the sling, and I would feel negligent NOT telling them, especially if something bad happened to the baby. Then I would leave it at that.

Edit: I just printed out 2 copies of this to keep in my purse. I think I will just hand them out if I see someone with one of those duffel slings

http://www.sleepingbaby.net/safety_h...818fba96f3826f

Kristin SS

[morgainesmama]

I start with an apology ... "I'm so sorry to bother you but ..." and say something along the lines of having read an article by a NICU nurse who did some research on that style of sling. "I'm not normally one to give parenting advice, but I just wanted to encourage you to do some more research on this particular kind of sling. I'd feel terrible if something were to happen to your baby and I hadn't said anything just because I was shy/embarrassed/whatever."

Even if she's annoyed, she'll probably head home and hit google up for information.

[SallyN]

I would have said something. Probably limited it to the fact that those slings were recalled. That's pretty non-judgemental y'know?

I thought I saw somewhere that there were some business card sized printables... If I find it again I'll come back and post.

[morgainesmama]

The trouble is, there are many brands of bag slings that have not been recalled -- the only one recalled is the Infantino Slingrider.

[zensven42]

The business card printables are on that same sleeping baby website but they are for when someone tries to tell you YOUR safe sling isn't.

[zensven42]

Originally Posted by morgainesmama

The trouble is, there are many brands of bag slings that have not been recalled -- the only one recalled is the Infantino Slingrider.

That's why the 2 page printable is handy. It explains why that type of sling is not safe, not just that the Infantino is not.

[dmcleary17]

I was food shopping today with my 1-month old in a hot sling, and a woman approached me to ask if i knew that there were some deaths associated with slings. i explained that it wasn't all slings, it depended on how you were carrying the baby, etc., and my first instinct was to feel judged. After a minute though, i realized how caring it was of her to approach me, a stranger, and i was grateful for it. so i say yes, definitely say something next time! if they are aware/educated about slings, then they will use it as an opportunity to educate others.