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4th October 2024
10:13am BST
A Dublin coroner has called on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to increase public awareness about the potential dangers of using a baby sling.
This come after the heartbreaking death of a five-week-old infant nearly two years ago in Dublin.
The baby boy was found unresponsive while being carried in a sling at a Christmas market in Dublin in December 2022.
He tragically passed away 11 days later at Temple Street Hospital due to severe brain injuries caused by oxygen deprivation.
During the inquest, which took place yesterday, Pathologist Michael McDermott spoke of the the rarity of this tragedy, and assured the grieving parents that they were not to blame.
He described the death as “extremely unusual” and said that it was not caused by anything they had done.
Coroner Dr. Crona Gallagher also called the death "very unfortunate and tragic" and said that it was “nobody’s fault.”
Dr. Gallagher then announced that she would notify the HSE and request that safety information on baby slings be distributed to all maternity hospitals across Ireland.
She stressed that parents should be equipped with the necessary guidance on how to use slings safely, reducing the risk of future tragedies.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, a paediatric intensive care consultant gave some practical advice for parents using baby slings.
She spoke of the importance of ensuring that a baby's head is always gently turned to the side to maintain a clear airway at all times.
She also advised against wearing a baby in a sling while sleeping or lying down, and said parents should transfer their baby to a cot if they feel drowsy.
“The risks are really around making sure that your baby’s head is gently turned to the side so that you're sure that your baby always has a clear way of breathing,” she said.
“If you look like you're going to go to sleep, take the baby out of the sling and pop the baby into the cot beside you.”
The consultant praised the coroner for bringing attention to the risks associated with baby slings, noting that despite the increase in popularity, the safety hazards are not widely understood.
She went on to say that fabric slings, while they are easy to use and comforting for babies, they require extra caution.
"A small baby is held very closely to your chest, which is great for soothing them, but it also means there's a risk they won’t be able to breathe properly, especially if their head turns inward," she explained.
To help ensure the safe use of baby slings, parents are encouraged to follow the 'TICKS' rule:
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