And breathe....

I'm feeling really rather ranty at The Daily Mail this afternoon. Where better to vent my frustration than here?

The headline to the article I'm referring to reads 'Yummy Mummy Slings 'may kill' babies". I probably need say nothing more...

But I will...

As usual, this article is hugely imbalanced and jumping on the scare tactic bandwagon. The deaths of infants they refer to all resulted from suffocation due to ill-fitting or badly designed slings. Within the article there is a picture of Nicole Kidman wearing a horrendously poorly fitting bag/pouch sling. Now, had Nicole been advised in how to fit a sling or indeed how to choose one that is suited to her and her baby, the picture would be a great deal more pleasing.

As with all parenting choices, safety has to be considered. We all spend vast amounts of time searching for safety reports on car seats and exploring the latest research around SIDS (AKA cot death). However, we still use car seats and cots for our babies. The same applies when choosing a sling.

A great place for more info on sling safety is:


http://babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/

Make full use of our Petit Poppet agents and ask for a demo or consultation so that you can try out before you buy and ensure you have the ideal, SAFE fit for you and your baby.

That's all from me on my soapbox for now... but I will leave you with the following press release on behalf of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers & Retailers:

UK Sling Companies Put Baby Safety First
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has raised concerns about “bag-style” baby carriers. It is thought that 14 deaths have occurred in the US over the last 20 years, all linked to the “bag-style” sling. UK Sling retailers and manufacturers are taking steps to ensure that parents have the information they need to continue to use safe designs of baby carriers and position their babies in the safest way possible.

One design of sling now seems to have potential risks. In “bag-style” slings, the deep pouch where baby sits puts the baby in a potentially suffocating curved position. Excess fabric with an elasticized edge may cover baby’s face and inhibit breathing. The design may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward the carer’s body, potentially smothering the baby. It also obstructs the baby from the parent’s view, due to the high and gathered side panels.

The majority of baby carriers and slings are still safe to use, if they hold baby in proper alignment and fit snugly by design and instruction. These safe designs of sling include shallow pouch-style slings, ring slings, soft carriers and wrap slings.

Advice for Parents
If you carry your baby in a bag-style sling, Rebecca Ward, of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers advises you to contact your local babywearing group through Sling Meet, www.slingmeet.co.uk, for advice on alternative slings. She says, “While we are unaware of any fatalities in the UK in these bag style slings at the present time, we would caution against using them in light of the recommendations by the US Safety Commission”. If you have another sort of baby carrier, Rebecca advises, “No safety problems have been brought to our attention with any other baby carriers. Make sure you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.” When using a baby sling, the advice provided by the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers is to follow these basic principles:

Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S.


Tight

In view at all times

Close enough to kiss

Keep chin off the chest

Supported back



To find out more about baby wearing and get advice on safe ways to carry your baby there are several trusted websites to help you:

· Slingmeet

· TheBabywearer.com

· Facebook page for Babywearing Safety

· Mothering.com

· LaLecheLeague

Benefits of Baby Wearing
In well-designed products, studies have shown that baby wearing is not only safe, but is actually beneficial. Such studies have shown that quality baby slings and carriers have been shown to save lives, improve health, decrease crying, increase IQ, and facilitate breastfeeding and bonding. [i] Studies have also shown that worn babies are happier and spend more time in the quiet alert phase. In this phase they benefit more than their non-worn peers in language development and knowledge acquisition. Babywearing also helps babies sleep better, and physical needs, including breastfeeding, are met more quickly by a close, responsive parent. Millions of babies over time have been worn to their benefit making baby slings and carriers more of a necessity than the often-publicized fashion accessory. [ii]

Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers Members


As an aside I'm all about twiiter this week. I never knew the magnitude of it! I have the grand total of 79 followers right now and am enjoying living my life in real time 'sleb' update status. I have found I am able to imagine myself of similar status and that one day I will be inundated with 3000 replies for every tweet I put out there into the ether. If you want to be among my throng come follow me @petweetpoppet (see what I did there?!).