What’s the best way to carry a baby? Some parents ardently say that having a baby closer to you is beneficial for their development, while others argue that strollers are safer for a child. The argument in favor of infant slings focuses on the relationship between parent and child, specifically that when a child is physically closer to their parent, they build a stronger bond. Other benefits include helping fussy babies adjust better and having a baby in a better position for breastfeeding. However, a recent news item regarding a recall of Infantino baby slings may be a slight blow to this preference for taking a child around.

The news item mentions that baby products manufacturer Infantino recalled one million baby slings sold between 2003 and the present due to three related deaths. The specific models being recalled are the Wendy Bellissimo and the SlingRider, both of which will be replaced at some point with better designed slings. Parents who own these products are told to stop using them immediately, mainly as the issue prompting the recall focuses on babies inside the sling being suffocated. This can occur when even a piece of cloth blocks a child’s airway for more than one to two minutes.

Suffocation is a significant risk to babies who are four months old and younger. As explained in the linked article above, a baby should be kept in a certain position inside the sling to prevent any suffocation. In this case, as displayed by the pictures accompanying the article, the ideal way is for the child to have a flat back and to be somewhat upright. Positions that may result in suffocation are having the child face you or having him or her in a curled position. Both will result in a child’s airways being blocked.