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The coroner issued a warning on dangers of baby slings after a six-week-old boy died while breastfeeding without hands.
James Alderman, known as Jimmy, generally did not have a slight cold when he was breastfed inside the belt worn by his mother as she moved around the house.
The sling was worn tight, not tight, and she could see his face when she looked down, and inquest in his death heard.
After five minutes he collapsed. Unfortunately, despite immediate efforts to resuscitate him, he died in hospital three days later on October 11, 2023.
The investigation determined that his airway was blocked because he was too far down the harness.
In a report into preventing future deaths, the coroner warned there was not enough information for parents on how to set themselves up young babies safely in such carriers.
“There is not enough information available from any source to inform parents about the safe positioning of small babies in carriers, particularly in relation to breastfeeding,” said senior coroner for west London Lydia Brown.
She added that there is “very little” safety information available to parents about baby slings despite a “significant increase” in their use in recent years.
Some believe that the so-called baby-wearing phenomenon helps bond mother and baby because of their close proximity.
The coroner said there appeared to be “no advice that breastfeeding a small baby without arms is unsafe due to the risk of suffocation” and called for industry standards promoting the safe use of slings.
“There appeared to be no useful visual images of ‘safe’ versus ‘unsafe’ sling/brace positions,” she said, adding that “the available NHS literature does not provide any guidance or advice”.
“In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths.”
Copies of the coroner’s prevention of future deaths report have been sent to belt manufacturer Beco, as well as the NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care.
The Lullaby Trust, a charity that provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies, says the risk is greatest “when a baby’s airway is blocked either by their chin resting on their chest or when their mouth and nose are covered by their parents’ skin or clothing”.
“The safest baby carrier will hold the baby firmly in an upright position so that the parent can always see their baby’s face and ensure that the baby’s airway is clear.”