Baby Slings

[jennybaby]

I don't know if you ladies have heard the fuss about baby slings or not (I'm sure most of you have), but I just thought I'd share!

Here's an article about it:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100324/ap_on_bi_ge/us_baby_slings_recall_6

Baby slings are the #1 search on Yahoo today. There's a lot going on in regards to them!

[SkippyNXC]

I actually read about this on off-beat mama today

http://offbeatmama.com/2010/03/yeah-so-about-scary-slings

they make the point that 20 babies have died since 1999 from this... (compared to 695 adults who have been killed falling off furniture... so don't dare sit on a couch!)

women have been using slings since the dawn of time and if u use them properly it works just fine...

[Heywie]

I heard about the recent controversy over baby slings, but didn't know one brand had been isolated. Thanks for sharing!

[uptowngirl]

I have been following this too, since I plan on wearing baby! The other day in Target I saw a lady picking out one of those pocket slings for a shower and I wanted to say something to her about the safety of them - but didn't want to be too nosy!

The rings slings and other types that hold the baby high and secure are perfectly safe - and I hope that people understand the distinctions! It is just the ones that have the deep pocket where the baby lays way down in a bunch of fabric that are scary!

Bad:
http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/droolicious/2009/04/sling_carrier.jpg
Perfectly safe (and cute that a dad is modeling it!):
https://store-61815.mybigcommerce.com/product_images/uploaded_images/eric-el-cat8.gif

[FFC]

Good info - I'm going to have to read it when I can focus on it hehe.

I actually just added a sling to my registry yesterday.... Not the "purse" kind, but this one:

It's got really good reviews on the Target website - but I plan on doing some more research on it before I settle for sure :)

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/412-9j9GjDL._AA260_.jpg

[KMS]

It just makes sense that anything that might interfere with baby's airway is a suffocation danger to them, even if it looks super comfy cozy! I am so sad for any of the parents who lost their baby in a sling. It is definitely worth a warning to people who would otherwise not consider the safety risk of certain carriers. I just hope that people don't associate it with baby wearing, in general.

[uptowngirl]

Justina I am planning on using a wrap too! They aren't technically slings at all...

This is the one I really like - it just looks so cozy and safe!
http://www.sleepywrap.com/

http://www.sleepywrap.com/uploads/images/colors/4.jpg

And I found this picture for Danielle and Sarah!
http://www.sleepywrap.com/uploads/images/gallery2/448.jpg

[uptowngirl]

I found this video that describes the different kinds of slings, and which ones are okay/safe to use:

http://www.youtube.com/user/sakurabloombabysling#p/u/0/da3DODqV_nM

[ikkin510]

I have been doing a lot of baby wearing with Carter. So much easier to get things done, expecially with a toddler in tow. I use the little back pack things that you wear in the front. Keep one in the van, for while we are out and one in the house.

[sandy03]

I don't know why, but slings have always made me nervous. Even when I babysit, I would just rather hold them and get stuff done a little slower (or listen to them cry for a minute if I had to put them down!) because I'm just not comfortable with the sling. Maybe if I had a chance to play with it and practice with it before I had to put a child in it, I wouldn't be so uneasy.

I like the idea of the wraps (although have no idea if I could get it on or off without help!) I also like the backpack things. I can definitely get on board with those!

One more thing to put on my list of baby considerations...

[DanDanNoodleBowl]

I had that one pictured in the news article. I returned it.
i had a funny feeling using it, Lily was so squished and looked like she couldnt even breathe in it.

[Spatch4Officers]

we used to have a lady that went to our church that had her kids in slings that looked like the dangerous one that was posted - she never had a problem with it, but then again she was a farmer and was all over the place and idk i guess it worked for her and the kids didn't seem to have any troubles. but i really like those wrap things you girls are looking at - especially the pic with the twins OMG CUTE!

[lize566]

We registered for a wrap sling, becuase they are supposed to be very comfortable and ergonomical for the parents, especially overweight parents, which is what I was looking for. They also have different ways you can hold the baby. I'm a little unsure about them b/c they seem kind of complicated to put on, and I'm not sure how secure they hold they hold the baby, but since people are buying them and they get good reviews they must do a good job!

Here is a link to a video that shows how to use them

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3546629

[KMS]

The May/June issue of Mothering is awesome and has a little article on the topic. Apparently, in the last 20 years there have been 14 deaths and most of those were involving babies born prematurely, low-birth weight twins, or babies that were having respiratory difficulties. Also, all of the deaths were using the Infantino Slingrider. Atleast, this are the stats that the article quoted. Out of tragedy, is coming more quality control and safety standards for baby-wearing products - which is a great thing.

Here are a few sites that I've bookmarked and plan to do something with this week. The first is a whole list of instructions on different ways to wear a wrap and the other 2 are directions on how to make a homemade wrap. I'm hoping to buy some material for it today, in fact!

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

http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/make-a-baby-sling.html

http://wearyourbaby.org/Default.aspx?tabid=121

[sandy03]

That is awesome about the no-sew slings! I may have to make one of those for my new god-child! Can't wait to see how yours come out Keely!

[ikkin510]

Thank you so much for posting those links Keely! I just ordered a sling for carrying Carter since my front pack carrier has been making my bad shoulder really sore lately. I was wondering where to find SAFE ways to carry him in it!