Baby slings and soft infant carriers are used by millions of parents every day — but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified at least 17 infant deaths associated with sling-style carriers over a studied period, and warns that improper use can suffocate a newborn within minutes without any visible sign of distress. Most of the victims were under four months old.
Two Ways a Sling Kills
Infant slings and carriers can cause suffocation through two distinct mechanisms, both of which can be silent and fast.
The first is direct airway obstruction. In the first months of life, infants lack the neck muscle strength to lift or turn their heads. When placed in a sling, the fabric can press against the infant’s nose and mouth — blocking breathing and suffocating the baby within a minute or two. Because the infant cannot move away from the obstruction and cannot cry effectively, a nearby caregiver may have no warning before the child is already in danger.
The second is positional asphyxia. Some sling designs hold an infant in a curled, chin-to-chest position. When the chin is pressed toward the chest, the airway collapses and the oxygen supply to the baby is restricted. Unlike the first mechanism, this form of suffocation can develop gradually — but the baby still cannot signal distress.
CPSC notes that many of the infants who died in slings were premature, low birth weight, twins, or had respiratory conditions such as a cold. These infants are at significantly elevated risk and should not be placed in slings without a pediatrician’s explicit guidance.
What Safe Babywearing Looks Like
- The infant’s face must be visible and clear of all fabric and the caregiver’s body at all times.
- The infant’s face must be at or above the rim of the sling at all times.
- The infant’s chin must not rest on or near the chest. Keep the head in a slightly upright, neutral position.
- If nursing in a sling, reposition the baby immediately after feeding so the face is up and clear.
- Check your baby’s position and airway every few minutes throughout any babywearing session.
- Parents of premature infants, low birth weight infants, twins, or babies with any breathing condition should consult their pediatrician before using a sling.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
