University researchers have urged parents to follow proper guidance
Researchers are calling for new parents to receive better guidance on using baby slings safely. Sleep experts from Durham University have urged that more comprehensive education should be provided to parents either before purchasing or at the point of sale.
Their survey of 1,470 parents with babies under 12 months old revealed that nearly nine in 10 purchased a sling or carrier online, with just 3% receiving assistance from a virtual sales assistant or chat function. The research showed that only three in 10 buyers received advice when purchasing their sling in person from a shop.
Instead, most parents learned to use the sling through manufacturers’ instructions, social media platforms or internet blogs. Some did visit sling libraries, where carriers can be borrowed or hired and safety guidance should be available, reports Bristol Live.
The survey discovered that even parents with previous experience struggled with correctly positioning the baby in a sling, ensuring comfort for the wearer and securing the infant safely. Improper use of baby slings has been associated with accidental deaths from suffocation or falls.
In 2023, six-week-old James Alderman died in a carrier during hands-free breastfeeding, prompting a coroner to issue a warning. When a sling or carrier is fitted incorrectly, a baby’s nose or mouth can become pressed against the parent’s body or obstructed by fabric.
In some instances, babies can slide down within the carrier, causing their airway to become dangerously compressed. Professor Helen Ball, director of the Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre at Durham University, said: “Many parents are unaware of the safety guidance around baby slings and carriers.
“As most parents start using slings and carriers when their babies are very young and at their most vulnerable, it is crucial they know how to choose the most appropriate product and how to use it safely. Although deaths linked to using a baby sling or carrier are not that common, they could be avoided with better access to guidance before or as soon as parents buy the product.”
Jenny Ward, chief executive of The Lullaby Trust, which promotes safety for infants, said: “This research highlights the need for clearer, more accessible guidance to help families use slings and baby carriers as safely as possible.
“Many families value slings and carriers, but it is important that they have access to trusted information on how to use them safely, particularly during the early months when babies are most vulnerable.”
The findings have been published in BMJ Paediatrics Open.
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