Re: more on babywearing/slings

[Guest guest]

Great blog post....just another note for your awareness. It is important to

explain to parents the many hazards of bag slings instead of relying on the

company to explain the recall.

Infantino has issued their own statement to consumers saying the it was the

plastic link that holds both straps together that sometimes breaks causing the

babies to fall out. Of course that an awful design flaw but they fail to mention

any of the other, and often more serious reasons why the carrier is not

dangerous such as the obstructed airway and suffocation hazards.

The blogwriter said it best when she said that safety is something parents needs

to be aware of. Check several things of any baby carrier before buying it and

practice safe babywearing. Usually the Babywearing equipment that can be

purchased at Babies R Us, Target and such are usually models that either pose

safety hazards or put the babes body/legs in uncomfortable and unhealthy

positions (baby bjorn for example). These companies should stick to making

things they understand in my opinion.

The best place to find out about Baby rs that are *easier* to practice

safe babywearing while using are the private companies who sell them with no

corporate assistance. Ergo, Beco, Moby, Ellaroo to name a few are the most well

known but there are thousands of other " safer " baby carriers out there.

The Babywearer has some great pages on the website helping moms choose a safe

and comfortable carrier:

http://www.thebabywearer.com/cgi-bin/reviews/review.pl?product

http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.php?page=comparisonofcarriers

>

> I have received this press release from the company whose slings I carry in my

private practice. This press release has been jointly issued by numerous

manufacturers of baby carriers.  As you can see, they had several years ago

asked for safety standards to be developed.

>     Dee Kassing

>  

>

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

> Baby Sling & r Manufacturers Speak Out

> On Baby Sling Safety Warning

> March 11, 2010

> With the publication of an Associated Press article regarding the CPSC

government warning on baby slings and the Consumers Union’s concerns about

“bag-style†slings, the companies co-sponsoring this release are taking a

stand to help educate the public on the differences between safe vs. unsafe baby

slings and carriers as detailed below.

> The ancient practice of babywearing made its way into western culture in the

1960s and its popularity with American consumers has grown because of its vast

benefits.  Unfortunately, this has led to the creation of several potentially

unsafe baby slings and carriers. Slings and carriers of concern are popularly

categorized under the token term “bag-style†slings.  In “bag-styleâ€

slings, the deep pouch where baby sits puts the baby in a potentially

suffocating curved or “C†like position. Also, excessive fabric with an

elasticized edge may cover baby’s face inhibiting breathing.  Furthermore,

the design may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward a caregiver’s body,

potentially smothering the baby.

> In contrast, shallow pouch-style slings, ring slings, mei tais and wraps hold

baby in proper alignment and they fit snuggly by design and instruction.  They

have been engineered, developed and tested by parents, often the manufacturers

themselves with their own children.  These carriers are often simple and

without gimmicks.  Dedicated and concerned manufacturers of these types of safe

slings and carriers have sponsored this release.

> Because of the popularity and gaining market share of small baby carrier

companies, a few years ago the Juvenile Products Manufactures Association (JPMA)

was approached by a handful of these companies asking for a standard to be

created. These companies were initially alarmed by the creation of some

carriers, mostly by home crafters , fashioned from materials unsuitable for baby

products. Soon after, M’liss Stelzer, a pediatric nurse , did an oxygenation

study discovering a potential link between infant deaths and “bag-styleâ€

style slings therefore creating even more need for the standard as well as

further study.

> Upon this need the ASTM, an internationally recognized creator of standards

for consumer products and test procedures, created a subcommittee for Sling

r Standards.  The ASTM Subcommittee is made up of manufacturers, consumer

advocates and government officials from the US and Canada including members of

the CPSC. The subcommittee started writing the standard two years ago. In this

time more deaths have occurred, all linked to the “bag-style†sling being

reported by Kerr, a writer for the Associated Press in the article

referenced in the first line of this release.  This has alerted the CPSC to

take necessary action and issue this warning.

> In well-designed products, babywearing is not only safe, but is actually very

beneficial when done properly. Studies have shown that quality baby slings and

carriers have been shown to save lives, improve health, decrease crying,

increase IQ, and facilitate breastfeeding and bonding. For examples of these

cases and further reading see “Increased Carrying Reduces Infant Crying: A

Randomized Controlled Trial†an article written by Urs A. Hunziker MD and

G. Barr MDCM, FRCP©, “Saving My Baby†a blog post written on Fierce

Mama’s Blog by Kaganovsky and Dr. Blois’s book Babywearing.

> Studies have also shown that worn babies are happier and spend more time in

the quiet alert phase.  In this phase they benefit more than their non-worn

peers in language development and knowledge acquisition. Babywearing also helps

babies sleep better, and physical needs, including breastfeeding, are met more

quickly by a close, responsive parent.  Millions of babies over time have been

worn to their benefit making baby slings and carriers more of a necessity than

the often-publicized fashion accessory. (Source La Leche League International)

> The vast benefits of babywearing should not be disregarded with the report of

incidents from “bag-style†slings. The sponsors of this release make safer

baby slings and carriers and have been active in the standard writing process

and are dedicated to safety through engineering. “We see this as an

opportunity to reach out and educate American consumers. We hope to provide

valuable information allowing parents and caregivers to not only make informed

buying decisions, but also to increase the awareness of how to properly wear

children, especially babies, in baby slings and carriers,†says

DeRocha, ASTM Subcommittee Chair. The Associated Press article regarding the

CPSC warning gives proof to the growing popularity of baby slings and carriers

and validates the need for education.

> Several trusted websites exist to aide in the education of babywearing for

caregivers and new parents. To name a few: TheBabywearer. com, the Facebook fan

page for Babywearing Safety, Mothering.com and LaLecheLeague. org.

>  

> This press release was sponsored by:

> Hotslings, Maya Wrap, Moby Wrap, Wrapsody, Gypsymama, Together Be, Kangaroo

Korner, made Slings, Scootababy, Bellala Baby, Catbird Baby, SlingEZee,

ZoloWear, HAVA, SlingRings and Sakura Bloom

> For comments or questions regarding this release please contact Kacy ,

Director of Marketing for Hotslings, Inc.

> Phone: x108

> Email: kacyhotslings (DOT) com

>