Baby Slings Can Kill, Feds Warn

Baby slings can suffocate infants, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning. The agency is preparing to issue a warning on the popular infant carriers, AP reports. "We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazard scenarios for very small babies," agency chief Inez Tenenbaum said yesterday. "The time has come to alert parents and caregivers."

Tenenbaum said the agency aims to help parents "make a decision that is best for the safety of their baby, while realizing that slings play a role in the bonding of baby and mother in many cultures." No specific brand or design of sling was mentioned. Experts say the slings can be dangerous if the baby falls into a chin-to-chest position, restricting its ability to breathe.
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