Cosmo Pregnancy Are Baby Slings Safe

news report
Are baby slings
plus a sling can be helpful in maintaining
a constant body temperature of a newborn,” she
explains. A sling can also take the strain out of
carrying a baby in your arms for long periods
of time, and give you hands-free convenience
on public transport and shopping trips.
More importantly, kangaroo care (when
baby is held close to mum, skin-to-skin, for
an extended period of time) can lower the
incidence of postnatal depression and
psychosomatic illness in new mums, says
Professor Young. “A mother’s oxytocin [the
hormone that assists breastfeeding] is increased
with physical contact with her infant and that in
turn increases maternal bonding,” she explains.
safe?
Your guide to the
right and wrong
ways to carry bub
close to your heart
Keeping baby safe
Sling benefits
A paediatric study has shown babies fuss and cry
about 43 per cent less if they’re being carried
and have close body contact. “Babies often cry
loudly when they’re stressed and out of contact
with your body,” explains SIDS and Kids
spokesperson, Adjunct Professor Jeanine Young
(sidsandkids.org). “But when they’re placed in
a sling they can feel their mother’s heartbeat and
smell her scent, which makes them feel secure.”
The fact that you can easily respond to your
baby’s needs is also appealing. “Some mums are
more comfortable breastfeeding in this position,
022 CosmopolitanPregnancy
Kate Hudson
carries baby
Bingham
in a sling.
sling position guide courtesy of australian competition and consumer commission. for more information visit productsafety.gov.au.
T
he popularity of the baby sling
is on the rise. Usually made
from lightweight fabrics such
as cotton, jersey or linen, this
device straps to your front
from the shoulders to the waist to ease the
pressure of carrying bub. But unlike most
child products on the market, such as prams
and cots, slings don’t come with safety
warnings or Standards Australia guidelines.
In March 2010, the Australian Competition
and Consumer Commission raised concerns
about the use of baby slings after the Infantino
SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo ranges were
recalled in the US due to cases of suffocation.
Other questions have been raised about the safe
use of slings for babies less than four months
old, because at this age babies haven’t yet
developed the muscles to turn their head, and
if their nose and mouth become pressed against
the fabric, it can potentially suffocate them.
Concerns were reignited this September
following the recent death of a two-day-old baby
due to the misuse of a sling. While experts warn
not to panic, they are urging parents to educate
themselves on how to use a sling properly.
“It’s not the slings themselves, but the potential
for misuse that’s the problem,” explains Helen
Noblet, CEO of Kidsafe SA, Australia’s leading
non-Government children’s safety organisation
(kidsafe.com.au). Always make sure you can see
their face. “If the baby is in a cradle position they
should never be turned into your body or the
material of the sling itself.” Their face should be
upright and in your line of sight, with the baby’s
mouth and nose completely clear. Noblet also
Dos & don’ts
Correct and incorrect
positions to carry baby in
✔
Right
✗
Wrong
✗
Chin up; face
visible – nose
and mouth free.
Baby’s face
is covered.
Wrong
Baby is too low.
stresses you should never allow your little one
to be in a C position (when their back is curved
and their chin is rested on their chest) as it can
block airways. “If the baby appears unsettled, it
can indicate they’re having difficulty breathing.
If this is the case, remove them from the sling
immediately,” says Noblet. She also warns that
if your baby is unwell or having any sort of
health issues, it’s best not to use a sling.
How to wear a sling
Ask for a demo when buying a sling and take
bub with you so you get the right one for their
developmental stage. Never place your little one
in the foetal position – instead lay them in a flat
position with a straight back. “If you can tip
your head forward and easily kiss bub on their
head, then you’ve positioned them at the right
level,” explains Professor Young. If you’ve opted
for a cradle or ring sling, the baby should be
positioned so their bottom is in the deepest part
of it. This will prevent your baby’s body flexing
too far forward, another position that can block
their airway. “It’s crucial to have one arm
around them at all times,” says Professor Young.
“You need to control the swing of the sling, so
their head and other body parts are protected.”
Never wear a sling under your clothes, or
cover the baby’s head with a muslin cloth or
a blanket. “In fact, it’s not a good idea to put
muslins over prams either, for the same reasons.
You can’t see them well and you’re reducing
their air flow,” explains Professor Young.
Wrong
✗
Wrong
Baby is hunched
with chin
touching chest.
Baby’s face is
pressed tight
against wearer.
Pink carries
Willow in
a forwardfacing position
in a BabyBjörn.
When is a sling safe?
“While most manufacturers work to ensure
their child products are safe, many don’t meet
safety standards,” says Professor Young. “New
products regularly emerge on the market and
problems don’t become apparent until after
they’re available for sale.” As baby slings don’t
come with Standards Australia guidelines,
you should visit the Australian Competition &
Consumer Commission’s website (accc.gov.au)
to keep on top of products that have been
recalled or flagged due to safety concerns.
What about carriers?
✗
Jennifer
Connelly
s
cradles Agne
st
chest-to-che
in a Boba
carrier.
Structured baby carriers and child backpacks
differ to slings as they allow baby to be carried
in an upright position facing you or the world.
While these styles prevent bub from being in the
dangerous C-shaped position, there are still risks
if used incorrectly. “Follow the same rules for
safe baby wearing – TICKS (Tight, In view at all
times, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off chest,
and Supported back),” explains Professor Young.
“Always use restraining straps, and before each
use, check for ripped seams, missing or loose
clips/buckles and frayed seats or straps.”
Baby sling no-nos
l Refrain from cooking or eating hot
food and drinks while carrying baby.
l Don’t squat or bend down. If there
is no other option, make sure that
your baby is supported, their airways
are clear and their back is straight
so they don’t suffocate.
l Use caution around mechanical
equipment so the sling doesn’t get
caught on sharp, protruding objects.
l Avoid wearing in front of open fires
as the sling may not be fire retardant.
l Don’t engage in vigorous activities
like jogging as the baby may move
into a position that’s unsafe or may
even fall out of the sling.
Always consult your paediatrician
before using a sling with a premature
baby. Kristy Bradley
CosmopolitanPregnancy
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