Researchers examining instances where infants and young children died in sitting or carrying devices recommend that parents do not leave their child sleeping in these devices unattended.
The team analyzed the records of 47 deaths in the US associated with sitting and carrying devices such as car seats, slings, and bouncers. The analysis showed that children up to two years of age died in car seats while deaths in other carrying devices occurred in infants up to eight months old.
The researchers note that when a car seat is used in a car with correctly attached straps, an infant child is at little risk of injury by suffocation.
They make several recommendations including:
- Never leave children unsupervised in a sitting or carrying device;
- Always buckle every strap properly when placing a child in a car seat, stroller, or bouncer;
- Always ensure the child’s face is fully “visible and kissable” at all times when using a sling.
Original research paper published in the Journal of Pediatrics on April 27, 2015.
Names and affiliations of selected authors
