Baby slings have become very popular among parents in recent years. Many famous celebrities like Brad Pitt and Nicole Kidman have also supported slings which have added to its wide usage. There is a general feeling that the use of slings promotes and strengthens the bond between a child and its mother. Besides, it also comes as a practical solution for those parents who want their hands free and also wish to keep their babies near them.

However, the U.S. Health authorities have began warning parents about the hazard of baby slings as they can be very dangerous to your child and can lead to suffocation. There have been 14 such deaths already reported in the U.S. The weak neck muscles of babies in the early stages of their lives make it very difficult for them to free themselves even when they realize that their noses and mouths are covered by some material.

Slings also restrict the airways in babies. The curled position of the babies in a sling forces their chin towards the chest and consequently limits the oxygen supply. The U.S. Government has issued a warning to the parents to abstain from the use of slings in babies who are below 16 weeks old. In U.K. though there has not been any ban issued about slings, but parents have been advised to abide by the guidelines that are present in the Pregnancy Book. Slings are believed to increase the sense of security in the babies; however it is the duty of the parents to use it to the best of their advantage.