The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is preparing to issue a general warning about the use of infant slings. Ms. Inez Tenenbaum, the head of the CPSC, said “We know of too many deaths in these slings and we now know the hazard scenarios for very small babies, so the time has come to alert parents and caregivers.” Tenenbaum said there won’t be a mention of specific brands or types of carriers. But, should there be? We think so.
There’s a huge difference between a bag sling and a ring sling. In babywearing online forums, you often see the words “bag slings”. Most in those communities know what these slings are and why they are dangerous. It’s what one would say…commonly known information. But, the truth is that it’s not commonly known outside of the babywearing communities.
Proof of this is evident in the news channels ever since the CPSC’s upcoming infant slings warning was announced. Overnight, there was a surge of articles all over the internet and also on major television channels of the danger of “slings”. There was absolutely no distinction made between a bag sling and a ring sling. In fact, there was not even an distinction made between other significantly different types of carriers, like soft structured carriers or wraps. They were all thrown in together in what should have been a warning about a particular type of sling – a bag sling.
So, what is a bag sling? A bag sling is a type of baby carrier where the baby lays in a C-like position and rides low on the parent – similar to how a typical purse (or bag) is worn. A bag sling is dangerous because baby is carried in a C-like position. In this position, a baby’s chin is pressed against his chest, which constricts his breathing. Want to see what it’s like? Try it yourself! Right now, stop reading and press your chin on your chest.
Hard to breathe, right?
Imagine how much so for a small baby.
It is this position that has caused infants to suffocate while worn in bag slings. And this is why they should be avoided at all costs.
Another offense of a bag sling is the baby is carried too low on the parent. It becomes hard to see the baby and also the baby is at a level (with his head at your lower waist and hips) where you would not normally carry a baby. The baby is vulnerable to being hurt by you walking too close to a counter, door, etc.
A ring sling is not the same as a bag sling. A ring sling is meant to carry the baby higher (with his bottom at or above your belly button). In a ring sling, baby is carried at a close enough distance that you are able to easily see your baby and ideally, be able to kiss the the top of her head.
While a cradle position can be safely done in a ring sling. An upright position, with baby held comfortably against your chest and his neck supported, is strongly preferred. In this position, baby rides with his head leaning sideways on your chest and his breathing is not restricted in any way. And the fabric of a ring sling can be adjusted so that the baby is fully supported while carried.
Pictures are worth a thousand words, so let’s do a breakdown of the differences between a bag sling and a ring sling.
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| RING SLING Baby can be carried upright. Baby can be easily seen by you. Fabric fully supports your baby. Airway is not constricted. |
BAG SLING Baby is carried too low. C-like position causes chin to be pressed again his chest. Airway is constricted. Baby is not easily seen by you (rides too low). |
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Excellent post, and clear about the distinction. The pictures are a great addition, too. Linking this all over.
Great post, thank you! I wonder if there's a way the babywearing community can get together and ensure that when the CPSC issues its warning they make a distinction between the dangerous bag sling and the rest of them???
Wonderful post! I already expect friends/family who are not baby wearer's too jump on the anti baby wearing band wagon. This is a great site to send them to in order to clear up the inevitable misconceptions.
Thanks!
Thanks Giselle! Great post. Very clear and well written.
Agreed….saving this site for when my fanily jumps on that band wagon too….i love my ring sling!
Love this post and I'll be referring everyone to it when they question carriers and their safety.
Beautifully written Giselle! Thank you!
i received one of the bag slings at my baby shower and found it to be extremely uncomfortable for me and was alarmed at how low my baby was (the tops of my legs jostled her as i tried to walk) and the fact that the bag seemed to swallow her whole and fold her into a ball. I'm glad to see this is being addressed, but i've found several other carriers and slings that work great and am glad that you guys are clarifying this issue. thanks!
Thanks for posting this article, I have used a bag sling and always felt something uncomfortable about it. I think it is good to know that there a proper ways to wear the ring sling. I have seen way too many moms using ring slings where the baby is also riding in a C-position or they are WAY too big and are squished in.
Excellent post!
would the new native sling be in that category then? i loved mine so. would be so sad to see it go
Thanks for passing it on! Babywearing education is key.
A New Native is not a bag sling, but a pouch that is fitted to you. You'll know if you have the right size for you because when worn baby's bottom you should be at or above your belly button. If baby rides lower than this, then the pouch is too big for you. Please feel free to post again with any questions or email me at info@slingsilove.com. I'll be happy to help you as much as I can with your pouch. Also, if you haven't already met other babywearers near you, check out this link to see if there's a group near you.
http://www.slingsilove.com/babywearing-groups/info_27.html
Excellent descriptions. Many thanks for posting the photos, also. I will be sharing this site with all who ask me about this sensitive subject!
Thanks for this! It's really a shame that the CPSC doesn't want to take the step to simply identify the slings that are unsafe and distinguish them from the ones that are.
Pouch slings like New Native, Hotslings, Peanut Shell, etc are not in the same category as bag slings. Really, there are only a couple of brands of bag slings out there, and they have always looked scary to me.
Of course, any carrier you use should be in good condition and fit you well. If you are going to use a cradle position in a ring sling, pouch sling, or wrap, make sure the baby is well positioned and has plenty of breathing room. If your baby is asleep, check him/her often while in the carrier. With a tiny newborn, it is helpful to fold a receiving blanket and put it under baby's head, to keep the head off the chest.
Thank you! I have been explaining this ad infinitum to well meaning friends and family members since it hit the news! Just posted it to my facebook page with a request to STOP WARNING ME!
And since baby has me home today, I'm off to make myself 2 new RING SLINGS for summer/spring!
Thanks Giselle. I just posted that great article on my FB wall.
Giselle, I kindly ask you for a permission to translate and publish this article on my Association DjeCa (www.djeca.org) web portal.
Lejla Kapidzic, member of DjeCa, Bosnia and Herzegovina
I wasn't actually aware which baby carrier was in question. I wear my baby all the time using my ring sling (kangarookidsonline.com) Apparently, lots of people have seen the news…I have had lots of questions about it. I always respond that I couldn't imagine not being totally aware of my baby using my sling. I couldn't have survived life without it. I have 5 kiddos. But you are right….my little guy is always close enough to me to kiss!!!!
Yes you may translate this on djeca.org with credit to Nurture Baby Naturally please. Thank you!
Thank you for the great posting. I just tried out my new ring sling with my newborn as was enchanted by it's efficacy, simplicity, and how secure it made him feel. I has been totally perplexed why I was getting paniced warnings from my nanny to be that it was unsafe. Now I know and can pass on the education. Thanx again.
Bag slings are so uncomfortable and hard on the back. Personally I loved my Moby wrap, I could hang out the washing with all the bending and the newborn was still firmly held and happily sleeping on my chest. Now with bub at 14 months hubby and I both still use it on the hip or back carry positions. We have even done 2 fun run/walks and many bush walks with bub quite happily along for the ride. Couldnt do any of that in a bag sling! Im a Mum of 4 kiddies and its nice to have arms free for other things.
Thank you for this. It made me sad to see them not be a bit more specific in the warning. There is clearly a huge difference between a bag sling and other slings like a ring sling or a wrap. The intention of babywearing is keeping baby SAFE, secure. and close…not hanging down at your hips.
Thank you – I have skimmed this, and the more articles like this we can have the better. Babywearing is safe! Bag slings are not =)! I wish that the "sling" part wasn't part of the name. We should call them "baby sacs" or something distinct!
Well written and with great pictures to make clearer. I post everywhere I can about the joys of babywearing and the difference between the different types of carriers. My husband calls me a “carrier nazi”, and I am. My cousin was the father of the infant in Oregon that died. I’ve done my research to know the difference between carriers. Keep up the great work!
Oh Gia I’m so sorry for your cousin and family.
I feel so badly for their loss.