March 11, 2010
With
the publication of an Associated Press article regarding the CPSC
government warning on baby slings and the Consumers Union's concerns
about "bag-style" slings, the companies co-sponsoring this release are
taking a stand to help educate the public on the differences between
safe vs. unsafe baby slings and carriers as detailed below.
The ancient practice of babywearing made its
way into western culture in the 1960s and its popularity with American
consumers has grown because of its vast benefits. Unfortunately, this
has led to the creation of some potentially unsafe baby slings and
carriers. Slings and carriers of concern are popularly categorized under
the token term "bag-style" slings. In "bag-style" slings, the deep
pouch where baby sits puts the baby in a potentially suffocating curved
or "C" like position. Also, excessive fabric with an elasticized edge
may cover baby's face, inhibiting breathing. Furthermore, the design may
cause the baby's face to turn in toward a caregiver's body, potentially
smothering the baby.
In contrast, shallow
pouch-style slings, ring slings, mei tais and wraps hold baby in proper
alignment and they fit snugly by design and instruction. They have been
engineered, developed and tested by parents, often the manufacturers
themselves with their own children. These carriers are often simple and
without gimmicks. Dedicated and concerned manufacturers of these types
of safe slings and carriers have sponsored this release.
Because of the popularity and gaining market
share of small baby carrier companies, a few years ago the Juvenile
Products Manufactures Association (JPMA) was approached by a handful of
these companies asking for a standard to be created. These companies
were initially alarmed by the creation of some carriers, mostly by home
crafters, fashioned from materials unsuitable for baby products. Soon
after, M'liss Stelzer, a pediatric nurse, did an oxygenation study
discovering a potential link between infant deaths and "bag-style" style
slings, therefore creating even more need for the standard as well as
further study.
Upon this need
the ASTM, an internationally recognized creator of standards for
consumer products and test procedures, created a subcommittee for Sling
Carrier Standards. The ASTM Subcommittee is made up of manufacturers,
consumer advocates and government officials from the US and Canada
including members of the CPSC. The subcommittee started writing the
standard two years ago. In this time more deaths have occurred, all
linked to the "bag-style" sling being reported by Jennifer Kerr, a
writer for the Associated Press in the article referenced in the first
line of this release. This has alerted the CPSC to take necessary action
and issue this warning.
In
well-designed products, babywearing is not only safe, but is actually
very beneficial when done properly. 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.
For examples of these cases and further reading see "Increased Carrying
Reduces Infant Crying: A Randomized Controlled Tria,l" an article
written by Urs A. Hunziker MD and Ronald G. Barr MDCM, FRCP(C), "Saving
My Baby," a blog post written on Fierce Mama's Blog by Sarah Kaganovsky,
and Dr. Maria Blois's book Babywearing.
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. (Source La Leche League
International)
The vast
benefits of babywearing should not be disregarded with the report of
incidents from "bag-style" slings. The sponsors of this release make
safer baby slings and carriers and have been active in the standard
writing process and are dedicated to safety through engineering. "We see
this as an opportunity to reach out and educate American consumers. We
hope to provide valuable information allowing parents and caregivers to
not only make informed buying decisions, but also to increase the
awareness of how to properly wear children, especially babies, in baby
slings and carriers," says Kristen DeRocha, ASTM Subcommittee Chair. The
Associated Press article regarding the CPSC warning gives proof to the
growing popularity of baby slings and carriers and validates the need
for education.
Several trusted
websites exist to aide in the education of babywearing for caregivers
and new parents. To name a few: TheBabywearer.com, the Facebook fan
page for Babywearing Safety, Mothering.com and LaLecheLeague.org.
This press release was sponsored by:
Hotslings,
Maya Wrap, Moby Wrap, Wrapsody, Gypsymama, Together Be, Kangaroo
Korner, Taylormade Slings, Scootababy, Bellala Baby, Catbird
Baby, SlingEZee, ZoloWear,
HAVA, SlingRings and Sakura Bloom.
