Govn't to Issue Warning on Baby Slings
The head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission said this week that the agency plans to issue a warning about certain baby carriers known as "slings."
A Dallas area business that makes their own carriers is keeping an eye out for the warning.
"It's an ancient practice. There's no reason to not wear your baby just because of this situation with this CPSC warning," said Kristen DeRocha, head of Hotslings. "We really want to encourage people to not stop carrying their babies in slings just because of this. There are so many great products out there."
The head of the CPSC said this week that there were certain safety scenarios being talked about, but didn't give specifics.
In the past, Dr. Amit Patel with Dallas Methodist Health Systems, said the slings have come under scrutiny since the products can place babies in certain positions that can suffocate them if the product isn't used properly.
"The part that basically connects the mouth and nose to the lungs closes off. An infant can't control that, so if an infant's head gets flipped forward, they won't be able to correct that to be able to breathe," Patel said.
Until the specifics of the warning come out, experts are asking parents to ask questions on how to properly use the slings.
"All parents should be doing their own research, speaking to their physicians, specifically their pediatricians," Patel said.
Posted Friday, Mar 12, 2010 - 8:12 AM CST
