Hi moms,
I mentioned to my husband last night that I wanted to get a baby carrier for our 2 week old daughter. He said that he heard something on the radio awhile back about suffocation risks with infants and carriers. Does anyone know anything about this? Is it a specific brand that's a risk? Or based on age?
Thanks in advance!
There are safety rules you have to follow with any carrier but the ones that were recalled in particular were the Infantino brand and pouch carrier slings in general.
I think it's more about slings/wraps than carriers....
The positional suffication can happen in things other than carriers, it happens when the chin is down on the the chest and they can't breathe. I LOVED my ring sling-- the one that's just a length of fabric and 2 sturdy rings. You figure out how your baby likes to be held and tighten it up around them.
The problem was with positional suffocation in ring slings/pouches. If the fabric wraps up and around the infant it can "pocket" carbon monoxide. Also, because infants have no neck control, the ring slings/pouches can cause them to sit neck to chest and suffocate.
There were some specific concerns about slings - however, a properly-used sling can be safe and wonderful, especially for newborns. You just have to make sure that you don't cover the baby's face.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10165.html
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/03/prweb###-###-####.htm
I used an Ultimate Baby Wrap with both my boys while I was walking around at home.
http://www.ebabycarriers.com/Ultimate-Baby-Wrap-p/330.htm
I wore them as shown in the main photo, making sure to turn their heads to the side.
I also used a soft baby carrier
http://www.evenflo.com/product.aspx?id=282&pfid=2478
when I was out and about.
Like any product, as long as used according to the directions, it is safe. Just do some research and find the carrier that makes you the most comfortable, and that you feel you understand how to use it. If you're interested in one of the wrap/slings, ask a mom you know who uses one to show you how she uses it, and to try it out yourself with your baby to see how it feels.
They basically determined that certain sling ones can lead to suffocation. You know the ones that basically have the baby laying down as if it was being rocked in your arms but it's laying in a sling. Does that make sense? supposedly they can basically wedge themselves down in it and suffocate on the slings material.
Not the ones where the baby is strapped to your chest with its face laying right on your chest or you can turn them around and they face out when they are larger.
Anyways, those are the ones. As far as I heard most stores weren't even carrying them anymore. I did the whole baby wearing thing for the first year of my babies life and I found the moby wrap to be wonderful and very safe. I could still carry him in it if it wasn't for the fact that he now only wishes to walk by himself! lol
It wasn't that long ago that several brands of slings were recalled due to suffocation risk. Now not many infants actually died, but it doesn't take much when it comes to children for products to be recalled and for good reason. With any type of carrier, babies should be full term and you HAVE to follow the directions. If possible find a baby wearing class and learn how to properly use your carrier and wear your baby. And obviously you still have to pay attention to your baby. I have worn all my kids with various carriers without an issue, and I love the various styles of carriers and the fact that I can do things and still hold my son.
