Babywearers can celebrate today because Infantino’s “sling of death” has been recalled along with Wendy Bellissimo’s version of the bag sling!!! Sadly, it took 3 baby deaths in 2009 to persuade the CPSC to pull these bag slings off the market, but at least it is official now! The odd part of Infantino’s business practices is that active members of TheBabyWearer.com have been sending them reports, and asking for the Slingrider to be removed from the shelves of big box companies for years! Also, they recently put a new product out called the Wrap & Tie, which is essentially a meh dai, but haven’t advertised it at all or brought any attention to their newest product. Interestingly, that is the only carrier on the replacement list; the other items are the 2 in 1 Shopping Cart Cover or the 3 in 1 Grow & Play Activity Gym! Sounds to me like they saw the recall coming months ago! Too bad they couldn’t have done the “right thing” and taken their slings off the market without the CPSC issuing a official slap on the wrist!
Wendy Bellissimo Bag Sling
Infantino Bag Sling
If you are approached by “well meaning” strangers telling you that your baby carrier is a death trap, here a few key points to remember!
A bag sling bends your baby in an unnatural C shape, constricting their airway and making it hard to breathe. YOUR sling or baby carrier can be worn safely in an upright position, called tummy to tummy! Your baby can breathe in a normal, natural way, and you can easily see and hear that they are alright. Bag slings have the babies low on the mother’s body out of sight and in harm’s way if the mother were to turn or be bumped from the side.
Safe Sling suggestions for newborn babies:
Moby Wrap – This is a stretchy wrap that conforms to your body and holds baby to you in comfort for both of you!
Sakura Bloom ring sling – Wearing your baby upright in a Sakura Bloom is comfortable and fashionable!
Freehand meh dai – With its padded straps and headrest, this mei tei would be an excellent choice for a heavier newborn!
Beco Butterfly II – The infant insert is adjustable and removable once baby is taller, but for newborns, this soft structured carrier offers a lot of head support and shade thanks to the detachable hood!
Olives & Applesauce – This soft structured carrier also caters to newborns with its insert and straps that can cross against your back in an X!
I’M ecstatic that they finally recalled these. horrible baby death traps…. if only the media weren’t turning it into ALL baby carriers and concentrating on the one. luckily my DS is safe in his ergo… and once i get up the guts to order it his oh snap…. so many choices so little time *giggle*.