Baby slings unsafe for hands-free feeding, charities warn

Childbirth charities are warning parents that hands-free breastfeeding or bottle feeding, when a baby is being carried in a sling, is unsafe.

The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and the Lullaby Trust say the risks are highest for premature babies and those under four months old because their airways can be easily blocked.

Their updated guidance follows an inquest into the death of a six-week-old boy who was being breastfed in a baby carrier while his mother moved around their home.

The baby, Jimmy Alderman, from London, was being breastfed in a sling in October 2023, but was in an unsafe position too far down the sling and lost consciousness after five minutes, the coroner found.

A coroner's report to prevent future deaths like his found there was very little information on safe positioning of babies in slings or the risks of suffocation when feeding.

Senior coroner for west London, Lydia Brown, issued a warning, external about the dangers of baby slings following an inquest held last year into his death.

She said there appeared to be no helpful visual images of "safe" versus "unsafe" postures for babies in slings or carriers, adding that "the NHS available literature provides no guidance or advice".

The NCT said it "immediately reviewed" its online information on baby slings and carriers after receiving the coroner's report and hearing feedback from Jimmy's parents.

The NCT's online advice now says: "Hands-free breastfeeding or bottle feeding, where the wearer moves around and does other jobs while the baby is feeding, is unsafe.

"This is especially true for babies under four months old. It also applies to babies born prematurely or those with a health condition."

The charity says young babies do not have strong necks and cannot lift their heads, meaning that their airway "can easily be blocked" in baby slings and carriers.

It adds that a sling's fabric or the fabric from a parent's clothes "could cause suffocation very quickly".

"If the sling or carrier is not correctly fitted and adjusted, babies can experience traumatic head injuries," the charity's advice says.

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Source: BBC News, 26 March 2025