Baby-Wearing Injuries

 

Baby-wearing products such as slings, harnesses, and soft carriers have become an increasingly popular way for parents to carry their infants and young toddlers, and keep them close by. New research, however, indicates these devices can be risky to children under one year old if parents don’t read the instructions first:

“The most precious thing a parent will ever wear is their child,” said CPT Patrick T. Reeves, MD, FAAP, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Naval Medical Center at San Diego. “But like when buying a new pair of shoes, parents must be educated on the proper sizing, selection and wear of baby carriers to prevent injury to themselves and their child.”

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that baby-wearing is not some new fashion trend:

Baby-wearing, also known as baby carrying, is a common form of attachment parenting that dates back to prehistoric times. Over the last decade, baby-wearing has demonstrated many benefits, including improved success with breastfeeding, improved infant to parent bonding, and improved attentiveness by fathers.

 

The researchers looked at 10 years of data of emergency department visits in the U.S. to better understand the types of injuries children sustain when they are strapped into these products. Between 2011 and 2020, there were more than 14,000 cases of baby-wearing injuries reported to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. More than half of the children fell out of the carrier and sustained an injury; 22% of the injuries were the result of a falling caregiver. Young infants accounted for most of the injuries:

• 61% of the injuries occurred in young infants 0-5 months of age.

• 84% of the infants who were injured suffered head injuries, with 19% of them requiring hospitalization.

 

Roughly 30% of all baby-wearing injuries involved sling carriers, and 45% occurred with unspecified carriers — a data point the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance takes issue with:

Carrier data as categorized in the NEISS reporting system covers soft carriers, sling carriers and frame carriers, and also includes handheld infant carriers (aka ‘bucket seats’) which is a fundamentally different product category. There is an additional ‘baby carriers-other’ product category that covers products of unknown detail. A significant portion of the incidents reported under ‘carriers’ pertain to handheld carriers.

 

BCIA says caregivers can minimize risk by following these safety tips:

• Practice using your carrier, including putting it on, loading baby, and taking it off, over a soft surface to gain confidence.

• Inspect your carrier regularly for any rips, tears, broken components or stress areas.

• Be mindful of your surroundings. Trips and falls often occur when a caregiver’s line of sight is impeded or an additional hazard (icy conditions, stairs, items on the floor) is introduced.

• If a baby is getting bigger and is harder to see around, consider a hip or back carry. It will improve your visual range, center of gravity and ability to respond in the event of a fall.

 

The AAP offers additional guidelines when purchasing and using baby carriers:

• Infants born prematurely or with respiratory problems should not be placed in backpacks or other upright positioning devices, as the positioning in these devices may make it harder for them to breathe.

• Some sling carriers may curl your baby’s body into a C-shape, which greatly increases the risk of breathing problems. If you use a sling, your baby’s neck should be straight and their chin not pressed into their chest, and make sure you can always see their face.

• In any type of carrier, check frequently to ensure that your baby’s mouth and nose are not blocked by fabric or your body and that airflow is not restricted. The Consumer Product Safety Commission​ warns about the suffocation hazard to infants, particularly those younger than four months, carried in infant sling carriers. When infant slings are used for carrying, it is important to ensure that the infant’s head is up and above the fabric, the face is visible, and the nose and mouth are clear of anything that could block air flow.

• Take your baby with you when you shop for the carrier so you can match it to their size. Make sure the carrier supports their back and the leg holes are small enough that they can’t possibly slip through. Look for sturdy material.

• If you buy a backpack, the aluminum frame should be padded, so your baby won’t be hurt if they bump against it. A sunshade is also a good idea to shield your baby from the sun.

• Check the pack periodically for rips and tears in the seams and fasteners.

• When using a baby carrier, bend at the knees, not the waist, if you need to pick something up. Otherwise, the baby may tip out of the carrier, and you may hurt your back.

• Babies over five months old may become restless in the carrier, so continue to use the restraining straps. Some children will brace their feet against the frame or against your body, changing their weight distribution. You should be certain your child is seated properly before you walk.

 

 

(Google Images)

 

source http://www.thepediablog.com/2021/11/30/baby-wearing-injuries/