Baby sling linked to Long Jetty infant death

The tragic death of a newborn has prompted Australia’s peak infant mortality awareness advocacy to warn about the dangers of baby slings. The lifeless baby was discovered only when his mother presented for a post-natal check-up, unwrapped him from the sling and passed him to a nurse on the Central Coast.

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Police are investigating whether a popular baby sling carrier contributed to the death of a newborn on the Central Coast.

The lifeless child was discovered only when his mother presented for a post-natal check-up, unwrapped him from the sling and passed him to a nurse at the Long Jetty Community Health Centre.

It comes as the nation’s peak infant death awareness advocacy has condemned the use of baby slings as a “suffocation risk” for infants under four months of age.

The 36-year-old mother walked to the Long Jetty centre on April 8 carrying the three-week-old boy in a “fabric baby sling on her front”, according to police.

The mother presented to the Long Jetty Community Health Centre. (AAP Image/Sue Graham)

The woman chatted to a nurse for about eight to 10 minutes before unwrapping the infant and passing him to her, when they noticed the child was not breathing.

A police spokesman said staff at the centre performed CPR but the infant could not be revived.

The baby’s body was sent to a morgue in Newcastle to undergo a post mortem.

Police described the sling as a fabric wrap as opposed to a designated baby carrier.

A police spokesman said the child had been born via a forceps delivery with a slow heart rate after the mother was induced but had showed no other signs of an underlying health conditions.

The post mortem results will be presented with a report to the Coroner, who is expected to hold an inquest into the child’s death.

Police are not treating the fatality as suspicious but have not ruled out the baby sling as contributing in some way to the child’s death.

Red Nose Australia recommends parents should be able to see their baby’s face at any time while they are in a sling. Picture: Generic/file

Red Nose Australia — formerly SIDS and Kids — chief midwife Jane Wiggill said there were “currently no Australian standards when it comes to using baby slings”.

“Using baby slings is a suffocation risk, especially if a baby is placed incorrectly in a sling,” she said.

“This is because babies do not have the physical ability to move out of dangerous positions that can block their airways. This includes lying in a sling with a curved back, with their chin to chest; or lying with their face pressed against the fabric of the sling or the wearer’s body — as it makes it difficult to turn their head when pressed against the fabric.

“Babies who are under four months of age, were born premature or low birth rate, or have breathing difficulties, are at greater risk of suffocation.”

Red Nose Australia chief midwife Jane Wiggill.

Ms Wiggill said Red Nose Australia urged parents and carers to exercise caution when using slings.

Make sure you can see your baby’s face and that your baby’s airway is free at all times — “not snuggled against fabric or the wearer’s body,” she warned.

“Correctly position the baby in the sling, which means lying your baby in a flat position with a straight back, to ensure the baby’s chin does not rest on his or her chest

“Regularly check your baby. You should be able to see your baby’s face at all times by simply glancing down.”

Ms Wiggill said when using a sling, parents should follow the product instructions and not use products that are described as “womb like” or a “cocoon”.