New parents require enhanced guidance on the safe use of baby slings, according to new research.
Baby sleep experts at Durham University are advocating for improved education for parents, both pre-purchase and at the point of sale.
A survey of 1,470 parents with infants under one year old revealed that nearly nine out of ten acquired their sling or carrier online.
Of these, a mere three per cent received assistance from a virtual sales assistant or chat function, highlighting a significant gap in direct support.
Researchers stress the need for more accessible and comprehensive safety information to prevent potential misuse. The survey found that even experienced parents had difficulty with positioning the baby in a sling, creating comfort for the carrier and securing the infant safely.
Unsafe use of baby slings has been linked to accidental deaths from suffocation or falls.
In 2023, six-week-old James Alderman died in a carrier during hands-free breastfeeding, leading a coroner to issue a warning.
With incorrect sling or carrier fitting, a baby’s nose or mouth can be pressed against the parent’s body or blocked by fabric. In other cases, the baby can slump down in the carrier and their windpipe can become pinched.
Source: The Independent, 4 June 2026
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