Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned of infant suffocation deaths from sling baby carriers. This is just the latest alert. Moms in Oregon and everywhere should know that defectively designed baby carriers have hurt or killed children for years. I've been following this Pediatric Law topic for a decade, and this post covers the various defects that CPSC has identified.
Suffocation Risk.
Three deaths in 2009 from sling baby carriers prompted CPSC's latest warning. Of 14 total deaths identified over many years, 12 of the babies were 4 months of age or less. CPSC identified two suffocation risks. First, covering a baby's mouth and nose with cloth can suffocate a baby within two minutes. Second, when an infant's head bends forward and her chin presses toward her chest, the airway becomes constricted, causing suffocation.
Baby Falls Through Openings.
Babies fell through leg openings of a baby carrier that was recalled in Y2K. These were backpack carriers. Babies, as they sometimes do, did not sit still. When they moved around, they fell through the holes. Some serious brain injuries were reported. So, whatever baby carrier you use, test it with your own baby in a safe spot to make sure that there is no hole big enough for him or her to fall through.
Baby Falls Because of Attachment Failure.
CPSC recalls highlight at least three modes of attachment failure.
Bad Buckles
To make sure baby does not fall out, we synch up the buckles. But what if the buckle loses tension? That problem caused the 2008 recall of a front-side baby carrier (pictured above). The shoulder buckles loosened fast without warning. I suppose one way to check the security of the carrier is to play around with a bag of potatoes.
CPSC warned of a buckle detachment problem with a different front-side baby carrier recalled in 2004.
Parts bend or break.
A rather elegant-looking sling carrier (top picture) was recalled because the aluminum ring that held it together bent and broke. The fabric gave way, and the baby could fall out.
Other failures
Yet another recall from 2008 involved a front-side carrier. CPSC described the failure as the chest strap coming loose from the shoulder strap. Once again, the baby could fall out.
Conclusion
It's great that moms and dads can keep their babies with them when they enjoy Portland's Farmers' Market or hike in the Columbia Gorge. After following the issue for a decade, here's what I'd recommend:
• Look for a tried & true product that has been on the market for years.
• Experiment with it before using. Make sure YOUR baby will not fall through. Jostle it around with a bag of potatoes from every position you can imagine.
• NO SLING CARRIERS.
Jeff Merrick, Oregon Trial Attorney
503-665-4234
