Let me get this straight, there’s no evidence that slings in particular are bad for babies, but they’re going to go ahead and declare them as such?

It’s unfortunate that all slings are gonna get a bad rap because of this. I read the AP story and I can see what they mean about the C-shape and such. I found a ring sling or Moby/mei tai kind of wrap worked best for smaller/younger infants and keeping them in a good position. Nothing is going to take the place of mom being smart and diligent and not spacing out about her kid. Unfortunately, also, maybe with the increased popularity of slings and the characteristic carelessness of people today, they’re just not being used correctly…

I didn’t use a sling, so I cannot really comment on this. But I want to respond to Anonimom and the comment that “women have been carrying children in slings for literally thousands of years”. There is a belief that, if something has been around for a long time it must be safe. Nothing could be further than the truth. Our standard for safety has gone up greatly. (To use a more recent example, I never used a seat belt when I was a kid and never got into an accident, but that does not make it a good idea.) Things that would have been acceptable in the past just are not acceptable today.

Again, I’m not saying anything specific about the sling. If it is safe, that knowledge lies in the data, not in the fact that it has been used for a long time.

IIRC, most of the hubbub has been about one or two specific slings sold at big box stores that are considered dangerous.

It really depends on the sling. The one pictured — the Infantino sling — is frankly dangerous and should be removed from the market. The amazon.com reviews provide a detailed explanation of its dangers, but basically it has a hard insert that ends at the top of the baby’s back, forcing its head down onto its chest, which can cut off its air supply — commonly known as “positional asphyxiation” and believed to be a cause of SIDS. In addition, the fabric folds across to close the sling, obstructing one’s view of the baby and creating a dead air pocket — also linked to SIDS. Unlike a traditional wrap or even a well-constructed sling like the Hotsling, which hugs the babe against one’s body, this Infantino item is more like a handbag and swings freely, putting the baby in further danger of getting whacked into something.

Laure68, there has been a goodly amount of research on the use of these traditional slings, and that research states that a well-constructed Maya or Moby wrap, properly used, is in fact very safe for a newborn, and that frequent sling use is linked to a reduction in reflux, colic, and other “problems” new babies often experience. For a good general overview, check out Karp’s Happiest Baby on the Block, which references such studies of indigenous peoples and applies and compares them to modern parenting techniques. For deeper study, a bibliography is included.

My neighbor loaned me her Infantino and I couldn’t return it fast enough! It was horrid. It was completely uncomfortable and I was convinced my daughter was going to fall out. I only tested it at home and never actually used it because it didn’t feel safe. We did get a ton of use out of our Moby wrap and Kangaroo Carrier when our daughter was an infant. When she was older we adored the Ergo and used it multiple times a day. I can’t believe that the POS known as the Infantino is being used to measure the safety of all slings. That’s like saying a Yugo represents all cars!

I’ve written a blog about the insanity of CPSC’s over-reaction:

http://craftycrofts.blogspot.com/2010/03/would-you-put-your-baby-in-duffel-bag.html