Baby slings are being notified to be used carefully as some specific positions in the carrier may suffocate infants below four months of age, said Consumer Product Safety Commission. This alarm has been raised after investigating reports evidenced that at least 14 deaths have been identified since past 20 years due to suffocation caused by the baby carriers, three of which have been witnessed in 2009. Mostly the infants who suffered suffocative deaths were reportedly younger than four months.

Explaining the reason for the deaths, Don Mays of Consumer Reports said that putting young infants into these bag-styled carriers elevated the risk of their suffocation as new born babies fold their heads forward, because of weak neck and head muscles, blocking the way for air to breathe.

CPSC in its issued warning specially alerts the parents of the infants who suffer from cold, breathing problems or are born premature should use the slings with extra care. It has been reported that the sale of these slings reached higher to 43% in 2006 and 2008, but no federal safety warnings regarding their use were issued then.

It is advisable not to use slings as more safe ways of carrying infants can be used, advised Mays. Although the slings have not yet been banned, warnings have been issued.