Baby Slings and Carriers

Many parents use baby carriers and slings to carry their babies against their bodies. While having your child close to you may be practical, there are potential risks of injury and suffocation that you should keep in mind when using these products.

This page explains the potential risks of using slings, soft carriers and back-pack carriers, while offering buying advice and safety tips to help you minimize danger to your baby, and provides more information.

Risks of Using Slings, Soft Carriers and Back-pack Style Carriers

Babies have been seriously injured or have died in Canada when carried in slings, soft carriers and back-pack style carriers. Injuries tend to happen when:

• the caregiver trips and the baby falls out of the sling or carrier
• the product malfunctions or its hardware breaks
• the baby slips and falls over the side or through the leg openings
• the baby suffocates against the product's fabric or the caregiver's body
• the baby is improperly positioned such that their chin is pressed against their own chest, restricting their airway

Slings that use knots or rings to hold the two ends of fabric together present additional safety risks because:

• knots can come loose
• fabric can slip through the rings
• rings can break

Premature babies or those who have pre-existing medical conditions are especially at risk of suffocation. Parents and caregivers should talk to their baby's doctor before using a sling or carrier.

Buying Advice

When buying a baby carrier or sling:

• Choose a model that has detailed and easy-to-understand instructions. Follow the instructions carefully, and keep them for future use by you or anyone else using the product.
• Buy a product that fits you well. If more than one adult will be using the carrier or sling, choose one that will fit each person properly. You may need more than one size. Talk to your doctor or health care professional if you are pregnant and are using a sling or carrier to make sure that your baby can be positioned properly.
• Buy a product that fits your baby well. When using a sling, make sure your baby's head is above the sling and that you can always see your baby's face.
• Contact the manufacturer or our Consumer Product Recalls listing to check for recalls.

Safety Tips

• Never leave a baby alone in a carrier or sling.
• Check for ripped seams, torn straps and damaged hardware before each use.
• Be careful when placing your baby in or taking your baby out of the carrier or sling. Have someone help you if needed.
• Make sure your baby's face is not pressed into the fabric of the carrier or sling, your body, or bulky clothing.
• When wearing a carrier or sling in cooler weather, do not zip up your coat around your baby to keep them warm because there is a higher risk of suffocation and overheating.
• Check that your baby's chin is not pressed into their chest.
• Make sure your baby's legs are not pressed up into their tummy since this can restrict their breathing.
• Check on your baby often. Make sure you can always see your baby's face and that their head is above the sling so they can get a good supply of air.
• Hold onto your baby when bending over so they do not fall out of the carrier or sling.
• Do not use a carrier or sling during activities that could lead to injury, like when cooking, cycling, or drinking hot beverages.

For More Information

For more information, contact your regional Health Canada Product Safety office toll free at 1-866-662-0666 or by email (please say in which province you live).

To report a health or safety problem with a consumer product or cosmetic, please use our incident reporting form.

More about baby slings and soft carriers:

• Health Canada Reminds Parents to Exercise Caution When Using Infant Slings and Soft Infant Carriers
  A March 2010 advisory from Health Canada on the risks of using slings and soft carriers.

General information about the safe use of children's products:

• Is Your Child Safe?
  A practical guide to help parents keep their children safe and avoid common childhood hazards.
• Safety with Radar
  An activity booklet for children, highlighting key safety messages.
• Information for Shoppers of Second-hand Products
  This guide helps shoppers to be aware of potential hazards that second-hand products may pose.
• For Industry and Professionals
  An index page providing information on related guidance and regulations intended for industry and professional audiences.