Are slings safe?

In the last couple days there have been a few articles in the New York Times and The Huffington Post regarding the safety and pervasive popularity of slings and other soft baby carriers.  From what I understand, there is some concern about the possibility of very young infants suffocating in the "Cradle Carry" position if their head bends too far forward, obstructing airflow when they breathe and also there is risk of fabric falling over the baby's face, but not so much in an Upright Tummy to Tummy position. We have had this warning on our website for the last few years.

I personally prefer the Upright Tummy to Tummy position anyway. I find it much easier to do and the babies seem more comfortable. The baby's head is right on your chest where you can monitor their breathing very easily and it is less likely for anything to obstruct the baby's face. If you're a really nervous parent, then wait until your baby is holding his or head up, and then start using the sling, probably around 3 -4 months of age. Certainly the risk of suffocation would seem to be minimal for an older baby that can sit up on her own in a Hip Carry position or a Forward Facing Kangaroo Carry position.

It seems to me a bit extreme to claim that all babies now need to be pushed exclusively in strollers for their safety. That would be like saying all babies ought to be born by C-section because it is safer and we can control the risk scenario better. (Not a statement I agree with, by the way, having safely home-birthed two children.)

Obviously, for 99.9% of  modern history (50,000 years and counting), strollers didn't even exist and mothers had to carry their babies somehow. And I bet plenty of rural and poor mothers around the world don't have money for strollers nor would a stroller make sense in those environments, so let's not start demonizing all babywearing!

My advice? As always, use common sense, be aware and watchful, and avoid the "cradle carry" position just to be safe. You can still breastfeed the baby in the sling, but when you're done, put the baby in the upright inward-facing position, re-tighten the sling, and make sure the baby's head isn't bent forward. No reason to throw the baby out with the babycarrier, so to speak.

If you're too nervous to buy a sling, you can always check out our fabulous sun hats! I never heard of a hat accident or recall!