Consumer Reports Warns of Infant Deaths in Infantino Sling Rider

I am not usually one to critique the vast number of poorly designed slings and carriers that have flooded the market in recent years. I would rather help parents find babywearing products that are safe, comfortable, and a good value for the money. But this is too important to let slide.

This year alone, two baby boys have died from suffocation in Infantino Slingriders, according to Consumer Reports (link).

Never, never, never buy or give a bag sling, whether it’s from Infantino, JJ Cole, Premaxx, Boppy, Lamaze, Munchkin, or any other similar design.If you see a parent using one — please warn them that these products are inherently unsafe *when used as directed.* I know it’s uncomfortable approaching a parent to warn them that they’ve chosen a bad product, but at least two babies have died in these shoddy products.If you find one at the thrift store — please buy it and destroy it.

More information about the inherently unsafe design of the Infantino Slingrider and how it and similar bag slings put babies at risk of asphyxiation can be found at this link.

The really tragic thing is that Infantino was on notice that its Slingrider is inherently unsafe. The company had been contacted, and the information was also sent to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, which failed to act.

Avoid Container Syndrome — Carry Your Baby in a Sling or Carrier or In Your Arms!

Babies carried in or put in “containers” — carseats, bouncy seats, swings, strollers, and cribs — for the majority of the day are at increased risk of plagiocephaly, aka flat head, as well as delays in meeting milestones such as crawling. Now experts have coined a new phrase for these problems — container syndrome. Two articles about container syndrome are here and here.

The good news is, in most cases, container syndrome is easy to avoid! I tell parents during babywearing consultations that carrying their babies, whether in-arms or in a sling or carrier, is the best way to keep sweet little heads nice and round. It’s good exercise for babies, because even when their heads are gently supported in a carrier, an upright carrying position will encourage them to hold their heads up and develop those neck and torso muscles.  Babies who are carried for a significant portion of the day develop better head and trunk control sooner than babies who are left in containers all day.

Leave the carseat in the car where it belongs and give yourself and your baby some healthy exercise with a baby carrier instead!