Infantino Recalls 1 Million Baby Slings after Reports Surface of 3 Infant Deaths
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a health advisory to parents and caregivers of children under four months of age to stop using baby slings.
The baby sling recall was caused because of reports surfacing about the tragic deaths of three infants tied to the popular Infantino “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” baby slings.
The CPSC has asked parents and caregivers to discontinue using the SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo slings for under-4-month-old infants and get their slings replaced at San Diego-based Infantino.
Last year, Philadelphia, Salem, and Cincinnati had reported three infant deaths for the same reason – 7-week-old baby, 6-day-old infant, and 3-month-old infant, respectively.
The CPSC has warned, "Do not attempt to fix these carriers." The CPSC has declared that the products had been manufactured in China and Thailand. It added that they were being sold since January 2003 at retail outlets, including big brands like Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, Target, Toys R Us and its Babies R Us locations, and Burlington Coat Factory.
Airing his concern along with Infantino sling recall, Infantino President Jack Vresics said that his company was closely working with regulators and ASTM International over baby sling safety concerns.
Infants are at a greater risk of suffocation as they do not have much motor control over their heads due to weak neck muscles. Premature kids, those with a low birth weight, or those facing breathing problems are even at a greater risk.
The curved or “C-like” position that the baby has to take below the mother’s chest or belly poses greater risk, as it can choke the windpipe.
The CPSC has warned saying, “The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate. Parents and caregivers make sure the infant’s face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, change the baby’s position after feeding so the baby’s head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother’s body. Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about their baby in a sling.”
