Baby sling warning misses the mark

CPSC warning on slings misses the mark

From the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

New Rochelle, NY, March 19, 2010 — The Consumer Products Safety Commission's warning on baby slings provides vague and misleading information for parents.

The popularity of slings has increased tremendously in recent years, as more and more mothers report that slings facilitate parenting and breastfeeding on demand. "All slings are not created equal," says Arthur Eidelman, MD, vice president of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. "Unfortunately, however, the CPSC issued a blanket warning about all types of sling carriers."

Ring slings, which carry infants in an upright position snug with the parent's chest, protect the infant's airway. By contrast, the illustrations of "unsafe" slings in the CPSC warning appear to be bag or duffle slings. In bag slings, the infant is carried near the parent's hips. In this position, the infant may be curled up and the neck may be bent, making breathing more difficult.

The CPSC's advice on safe baby carrying is also misleading. The agency recommends positioning infants so "the baby's head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother's body." "The face out position they say is correct could be risky with a premature infant, because of the baby's unsupported neck," Eidelman says. "A baby whose face is sideways with cheek against the chest, head slightly extended and body and shoulders and yes, face, snug so that the baby can't move, is secured in a safe position."

In the warning, the CPSC reported 14 deaths associated with sling use in the past 20 years, including 3 in 2009. The agency provided no information on the types or brands of sling involved, nor did they account for the rapid increase in sling use among parents in the US. This stands in contrast with the hundreds of recalls of other juvenile products issued by the CPSC that specify the precise brand and model number involved in adverse outcomes.

"Last month, when the CPSC recalled a crib model associated with 3 infant deaths, they did not issue a blanket warning that cribs can be deadly," Eidelman notes. "Parents deserve the same precise, accountable information when it comes to baby-carrying."

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is a worldwide organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and human lactation through education, research, and advocacy. An independent, self-sustaining, international physician organization and the only organization of its kind, ABM's mission is to unite members of various medical specialties through physician education, expansion of knowledge in breastfeeding science and human lactation, facilitation of optimal breastfeeding practices, and encouragement of the exchange of information among organizations.

Tokyo Pregnancy group

I am speaking at TPG tomorrow about my work as a Lactation Consultant, my breastfeeding workshops, and I am taking some baby slings to show/sell.I will have all the different colours there, and the free instructional DVDs.

Slings are currently on sale: 6,300 yen including free regular postage. At TPG I will be selling the slings for 6000 yen.

Next breastfeeding workshop is Feb 15th, followed by either March 1st or March 8th.

Maya Wrap baby slings 20% off AND free shipping!

Every parent needs a baby sling! Wearing your baby has benefits for mother and baby: babies are soothed and comforted in the sling, mothers in close contact with their babies release the feel-good mothering hormones, breastfeeding can be done while wearing the baby, and for Dads, wearing the baby in the sling is a wonderful way to bond with your child.

For more benefits of baby-wearing, see here.

The Maya Wrap baby sling is one of the original baby slings. Many other sling designers have copied the Maya Wrap because of its stylish and functional design. The Maya Wrap is made of 100% cotton, in beautiful colours, and has 2 rings and no bulky padding, making for easier adjustment than many other kinds of slings. Maya Wrap allows for several different carrying positions, so you and your baby can decide what suits you best! The tail of the sling can be used as a cover for discreet breastfeeding too, and it has a pocket for keys/phones.

Usually 8500 yen plus shipping, Blue Sky is now offering the slings at 20% off PLUS free regular shipping! That means the slings are now only 6,300 yen.

Colours can be viewed at www.blueskytokyo.com/mayaindex.html

Payment can be made either through Paypal or the Japanese local Post Office.