The recall involves 15,000 Canadian-sold Infantino "SlingRider" and "Wendy Bellissimo" slings, as well as more than a million in the U.S.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission in the U.S. says babies can suffocate in the soft fabric slings. Parents are now being urged to immediately stop using the slings for babies under four months of age.
The recall comes as a relief for Raven Borstad -- mother of four -- who says she's tried her friend's Infantino sling, but alarm bells went off.
"When I've looked at the Infantino SlingRider I always think it looks more like a gym bag than it does like a sling and I wouldn't put my baby in a gym bag," she said.
Baby-wearing educators say the low sitting, cradle-like structure of the sling, along with the synching type of fabric, are safety hazards.
"Other risks are that the baby turns inward into the body and can actually be physically suffocated," said Arie Brentnall-Compton, certified baby wearing educator.
The president of Infantino says the company is willing to offer a free replacement baby carrier, activity gym or shopping cart cover to any affected consumer.
As it currently stands, no safety standards for infant sling carriers are in place. But, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says it is now working on one.
The slings were sold in the U.S. and Canada from January 2003 through March 2010.
Retailers include: Walmart and Babies "R" Us.
Source: ctv.ca
