Attachment parenting creates an intimate bond between parent and child. This does photo NOT show a product in the baby sling recall, but illustrates how such a product is worn. (Photo: ThinkStockPhotos)
A recent baby sling recall by Infantino that affects the “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” models — heretofore to be referred to as the “Infantino Sling Rider Recall” — will take more than 1 million products off the market. That’s 1 million from the U.S. and 15,000 from Canada, reports the Chicago Tribune. For parents of little ones, the idea something as innocent as a baby sling could unintentionally cause suffocation for infants less than four months old is the stuff of nightmares; catching the problem is a great collective sigh of relief, not unlike the relief of knowing you can take care of an ER bill for baby with payday loans online.
Three related infant suffocation deaths occurred in 2009, according to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) March 24 report regarding the baby sling recall. Apparently, the Infantino slings in question could potentially tangle a young baby in its folds and cut off his or her oxygen supply. Why it took almost the entire first quarter of 2010 before a recall went into effect is a question for the legal experts.
Parents, do not attempt to fix your Infantino Sling Rider recall sling
That’s something Infantino advises families NOT to do in the official Infantino Sling Rider recall notice. If a parent is unsure of what type of infant sling they have, Infantino advises checking the plastic slide piece on the strap. It should say “Infantino” on it. On the inside of the carrier part of the SlingRider sling, there should be a printed instruction/warning label. The CPSC indicates that the “Wendy Bellissimo” has “a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says in part ‘Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc.’ and lists Item numbers 3937500H7and 3937501H7.”
Where were Infantino baby sling recall products sold?
SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo were manufactured in China and Thailand, and were in stores between January 2003 and March 2010. Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies “R” Us, BJ’s Wholesale and numerous other U.S. retailers carried the SlingRider; Wendy Bellissimo was sold only at Babies “R” Us, according to the Tribune.
What is Infantino doing to make up for the Infantino Sling Rider recall?
They’re offering a replacement with one of the following products:
Furthermore, they’re sending customers affected by the baby sling recall a Jittery Pals Rattle.
What should you do if you own an Infantino SlingRider recall product?
Or the Wendy Bellissimo sling, for that matter? First of all, contact Infantino at (866) 860-1361 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pacific, Mon.-Fri. Alternatively, check out Infantino’s Customer Service Web site for a free replacement sling. Yes, it will be free; you won’t need installment loans with no credit check.
Related Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Adv81-gYcR4
The slings in question were used exactly as directed. The design of the sling is a poor design and it is the reason babies died. Infantino had received complaints for YEARS about the design, and nearly a dozen other deaths or injuries are suspected in connection with the awful sling. This particular sling holds the infant down by your hips and has so much fabric that view of the child is easily obstructed. The poor design curls the infant chin-to-chest, restricting breathing, and also rolls them into parent's side despite a harness. Babies suffocated in as little as three minutes.
Infantino is now campaigning to have ALL slings pulled from the market to cover their cold and heartless indifference to the warnings given by parents that children were dying. Other styles of slings, ones that hold baby up where your own arms would and do not cover baby's face, are extremely safe and useful. Deep, padded, and poorly designed slings like Infantino (and the sling pictured, which is the strangest sling I've seen) are indeed a danger to your child. It just sickens me that the CPSC is allowing Infantino, the ONLY company MURDERING OUR BABIES, to write the proposed guidelines. Seems a lot like letting the fox watch the chickens.
It is very sad indeed. I received the Infantion sling for a baby shower gift from a co-worker. Thank God my baby (9months now) was safe during the use of the product. I absolutely adored my sling. When I had to travel with the baby I would put her inside and check on her to make sure her head was positioned right. When I would put my baby in the sling, she would sleep the entire time she was in there. I feel really bad for the parents who had to go through this tradegy. I used the sling up until my daughter was 20 pounds (the weight limit for the sling). I am wondering were they used properly???
Sherrice, I am glad to hear that things worked out for you and your baby. I have two children, and I can't imagine the horror of losing one of them.
I think common sense should play a role in using such products, and lack thereof (or a failure to read product instructions) may have been factors. However, I can also understand the recall – parents shouldn't have to worry about something like that happening.
Very sad that 3 infants have already died from this. Wish I knew more about what exactly happened and if the carriers were being used correctly. I feel really bad for the parents. Baby slings are supposed to be good for babies, lowering their blood pressure, keeping them calm and bonding them with their parents. But these slings may be dangerous.