Kidsafe Victoria today supported calls for the inclusion of warning and instructions on baby slings.

Melanie Water, Victorian Kidsafe Manager, said that given the warnings from the medical profession about possible suffocation risks, it was appropriate to err on the side of safety.

Whilst baby slings can be a good way of carrying a child, they must be used with care like any other equipment, especially where babies may be ill with their health already compromised.

Ms Water said, “While baby slings are a popular and useful way of carrying babies, it is vital that parents using the slings were aware of the potential dangers. All baby slings should be sold with clear instructions and specific diagrams for use to make sure the potential risks are clear.”

Ms Water said, “Parents carrying a baby in a sling should be able to see the babies face at all times to ensure they have clear access to breathe.”

One baby fatality related to baby slings has been reported in Australia, while a further sixteen deaths have been reported in the United States and Canada.

All parents using baby slings should be aware of the risks and this issue should be part of a safety discussion through the maternal  health, preschool and school networks.

For diagrams demonstrating the correct positioning of babies in slings, please view the ACCC’s Baby Slings brochure  ACCC baby slings safety alert.pdf