Baby Sling Recall

[Former_Member]

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infant-death-prompts-recall-of-ring-slings-made-by-sprout-st...

Thought this news bit might be useful to someone. I know there are a number of baby slings available here on etsy, and it looks like some serious legislation is coming down the pipes, due to some pretty tragic infant deaths.

The "manufacturer" in this particular recall only sold 40 items, directly to consumers. Can I hazard a guess that this was handmade small business? I don't really know, but do think its important to note that even small small small companies aren't immune to recalls.

I'm by no means a baby sling nor a cpsia expert, just thought I'd pass the article along!

[Former_Member]

The unfortunate thing about slings is that they are prone to user error as well as manufacturer error. Babywearing is a learned skill, and I do wish people would see it as such. There are organizations such as Nine in Nine out (NINO) that exist to help parents learn to wear their babies safely and comfortably.

It is very tragic that this happened. I hope they do come out with safety standards for slings, as some of the padded type carriers can be very dangerous!

[Former_Member]

The baby sling in question in this particular recall was a "ring sling" which I think is super common, and a pretty simple design. I don't know if there was anything specifically dangerous about these particular slings to set them apart from the rest of the "ring slings."

[Former_Member]

It's unfortunate that there have been deaths due to this type of thing. However, if I can be so bold without offending anyone, I believe that it takes a bit of common sense. I mean you should be paying attention to your baby, whether you are wearing them or not. I understand that accidents happen and sometimes it is just a matter of manufacturer defect but what I don't understand is how a baby dies in your arms like that.

[SparxsDesigns]

Ugh, never used those things. I am sorry about the infants being killed though. :(

[Former_Member]

the sad thing I have noticed is most babies in slings are at events and places you probably shouldn't even take your baby in the first place!

[AprilMarieMai]

jaroftea said:
the sad thing I have noticed is most babies in slings are at events and places you probably shouldn't even take your baby in the first place!
__________

thanks for telling everyone how they should raise their offspring.

i am sure you have a doctorate degree on the subject, are a widely published author, and considered one of the great minds in the field.

[improvised]

Wow, April, chill out.

[AprilMarieMai]

often parents aren't using the slings correctly. it is important to be attentive to the child in all situations, including baby wearing. especially as one is learning the techniques. it is also very important to follow instructions on that kind of thing.

i have a fellow team member who makes the slings. i'd prefer if the talk about issues stayed specific to a particular design and behavior rather than incorporating a wide variety of them when it's a specific problem. lots of sellers are getting a bad name when they shouldn't.

[AprilMarieMai]

thanks, i don't need to chill.

i have worked with children my whole life.
saying babies don't belong at some "events and places" is pretty silly, condescending, and unnecessary.

[AprilMarieMai]

and that person also made a sweeping judgement about people who practice baby wearing.

it's a great day to decide what everyone else needs to do i guess?

personally i'll stop someone who is hitting or shaking their kid.

if you want to do babywearing properly or breastfeed what is the issue? it's what humans do with babies.

[improvised]

Oh, and no one else has worked with babies all their lives? There ARE places parents shouldn't take their kids, and if you haven't figured that out after working with children your whole life, you didn't learn a lot lot.

[improvised]

* whole lot.

[improvised]

On the topic, it's sad stuff like this happens. :(

[improvised]

Babywearing is great, but not if you kill your kid doing it.

[AprilMarieMai]

lots of people have worked with kids all their lives

lots of people can decide where to take kids and where to not take kids

to say someone shouldn't take their kid to an 'event' is silly.

you can handle your kids, and i can handle mine. end of story.

[improvised]

Well, I guess that would depend on what the "event" is.

[AprilMarieMai]

i apologize that apparently i came off harshly to some people. it was not my intent.

it was my intent to display through hyperbole how rediculous it is to make vague statements about what is right and wrong when someone else is raising their kid, when that wasn't even part of the topic in this thread.

many people will say things that are quite offensive without understanding what they're actually saying. sometimes i try to shed light on this through hyperbole.

many people are very sensitive about stated opinions about childrearing. it is not a great topic to bring up on this forum, in general. and making a sweeping value judgement about people you don't know over one minute thing that you're assuming is not a good way to interact on these forums in general. it causes lots of problems.

[Former_Member]

omgosh! that's so sad. i could never keep my kids in those slings. hurt my back. now i'm glad. i used a sling wrap when the first was older to keep him in place.

that's so tragic.

it seems like a really easy error. i would have never even thought about it, if i hadn't read this.

[AprilMarieMai]

i don't know why someone would think it would be a good idea to put a baby who can't hold its head up into a sling of any sort.

[AprilMarieMai]

at least not a 10 day old one.

[Former_Member]

i think it's important to note that they are saying it's slings, in general:

________________________________________
On March 12, 2010, CPSC issued a warning about sling carriers for babies. Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling's fabric can press against an infant's nose and mouth, blocking the baby's breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate. CPSC has determined that a mandatory standard is needed for infant sling carriers. While a mandatory standard is being developed, CPSC staff is working with ASTM International and concerned companies such as Infantino to quickly develop an effective voluntary standard for slings. There currently are no safety standards for infant sling carriers.
_____________________________________


it's nice to assume that all people would know these things, but after two kids, the thought never crossed my mind. i was too busy keeping them on their backs, and cutting up their foods into tiny little pieces.

;)


it's a great idea for people who make slings to really enforce and make sure every customer understands the risks and knows proper use. not saying some don't. but they all should.



speaking of which, the youngest is off to get his ear infection checked... again.

[improvised]

Well, I'm sorry for attacking you. It seemed harsh, but even if it was, it's really no excuse for me to react the way I did.

[Former_Member]

when you're a new parent you do all the stuff they sell you. hahah, with my first i had all kinds of gadgets.

the second... i was like... wipe warmer! who needs that!?


i also live in so cal. so the wipes are never frozen.

[AprilMarieMai]

improvised said:
Well, I'm sorry for attacking you. It seemed harsh, but even if it was, it's really no excuse for me to react the way I did.
__________

thanks, apology accepted.