More than a million baby slings made by the Infantino company were recalled today after claims linking them to three child deaths.
An American safety watchdog said babies could suffocate in the soft fabric slings which wrap around the chest so parents can carry their babies or just stay close as they bond with them.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission urged parents to immediately stop using the slings for babies under four months old.
The recall involves a million Infantino “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” slings in the United States and 15,000 in Canada.
Infantino president Jack Vresics said the company has been working closely with the commission on its sling concerns.
“Our top priority is the safety of infants whose parents and caregivers use our products,” he said.
He said the company would offer a free replacement baby carrier, activity gym or shopping trolley cover to any affected consumer.
Earlier this month, CPSC issued a broad warning about sling-style baby carriers, saying they posed a potential suffocation risk to infants, especially babies under four months. Babies who had a low birth weight, were born prematurely or had breathing problems such as colds were also at risk.
At the time, the commission did not single out a specific type of sling or manufacturer. It said it had identified or was investigating at least 14 deaths in the last 20 years associated with baby slings.
Today the CPSC said three of the deaths occurred last year and were linked to Infantino slings. It did not say exactly how the babies died.
PA