Sling Safety

Wearing your baby can be a very safe and rewarding experience for your entire family, but you do need to learn how to use a sling properly in order for it to be safe.

Many of the following warnings apply to baby care whether or not you are wearing your baby, but I highlight them specifically in relation to babywearing because it's easy to forget these rules of safety when your baby is comfortably slung and your attention is split to get something else done.

• Do not allow your baby's chin to touch his chest. This obstructs breathing and causes suffocation. Your baby will not be able to cry out to alert you; you must be constantly aware of your baby.
• Do not allow your baby to be smothered by your clothing. Be especially careful with loose clothing.
• Do not allow your baby to be smothered by your own body. Large breasts are the most common concern.
• Do not use it in place of a carseat in a moving vehicle.
• Do not wear your baby while cooking, as hot and sharp things would be inclose proximity to the baby.
• Do not wear the baby in dangerous or deep water. Ring slings can be safely used while wading.
• Do not wear the baby too low. This is for your comfort as well as your baby's safety.

• Do make sure your sling is intact. Check the seams and the rings before putting it on to be sure it will securely hold your baby.
• Do squat instead of bending over. Bending over can cause your baby to fall out of the sling.
• Do take care not to let the tail get caught in machinery or anything similar.
• Do readjust your baby after nursing to ensure that his mouth and nose are not obstructed in any way, such as by your body, the sling's fabric (including the tail/nursing cover), or your clothes.
• Do use the adjustability of the sling to support your baby in a safe position. Her chin should never touch her chest, as this obstructs her airway. Pull the sling tight behind her back to giver her the support she needs to be safe.
• Do continually check on your baby's position in the sling. Walking around can cause the sling to loosen a bit, so slight readjustments may periodically be necessary.
• Do pay attention to your baby. Slings are meant to allow your baby to be a part of your everyday activities, not to allow you to ignore your child while you do "more important" things.

While we're on the topic of safety, another reason I prefer Ring Slings is that they are less complicated than many other types of baby carriers and are thus less prone to user error. And I wouldn't sell Maya Wrap's products if I didn't believe that they make a quality sling with quality materials in the interest of safety.

Even so, please remember that any baby product is subject to imperfections and could cause injury, especially with lack of consumer education and with increased wear on the product.

Please take babywearing seriously: Learn to properly wear your baby and regularly inspect your sling to make sure it is still safe for its precious cargo. And this bears repeating: Please pay attention to your baby. Slings are meant to allow your baby to be a part of your everyday activities, not to allow you to ignore your child while you do "more important" things.

Enjoy your sling because it allows you to keep your child as the priority while enjoying the freedom of hands-free babywearing! Approaching babywearing with this perspective will make your experience the safe and rewarding one your family deserves!