Nearly 15,000 baby slings are being recalled in Canada and more than one million in the United States after the carrying devices were linked to the deaths of three infants.
Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have issued a joint recall of Infantino "SlingRider" and "Wendy Bellissimo" slings.
Parents are being urged to immediately stop using the products for babies under four months of age. The agencies are concerned that the fabric of the sling and an adult's body can press against the infant's nose and mouth, posing a risk of suffocation.
Infantino is offering a free replacement baby carrier, activity gym or shopping-cart cover to any consumer affected by the recall, company president Jack Vresics said in a statement Wednesday. "Our top priority is the safety of infants whose parents and caregivers use our products," he said.
About 14,755 of the recalled sling carriers were sold in Canada between January, 2003, and March, 2010, at Wal-Mart, Babies "R" Us and various other infant and children's stores across the country. The products, which were made in China, Hong Kong and Thailand, were also sold online at Amazon.com.
The Wendy Bellissimo-branded sling carriers were sold exclusively at Babies "R" Us, Sears and Winners, Health Canada noted.
In an announcement Wednesday, the CPSC said three infant deaths last year had been linked to slings distributed by Infantino of San Diego. However, the commission did not explain exactly how the babies died.
There have been no reports in Canada of deaths or injuries related to the use of the Infantino slings.
Health Canada and the CPSC both issued advisories earlier this month telling parents to exercise caution when using infant slings and soft infant carriers in general, but did not specify brands or a manufacturer.
The U.S. commission said it had identified or was investigating at least 14 deaths in the last 20 years associated with baby slings. Health Canada said at the time that since 1995, nine incidents - including two deaths in soft infant carriers - had been reported to the federal department.
Its earlier advisory said the popular sling-style baby carriers also pose a risk of asphyxiation to low birth-weight babies, those born prematurely and to infants with breathing problems due to colds or other respiratory conditions.
"Suffocation can happen when the baby's nose or mouth presses against the product's fabric or the caregiver's body, therefore restricting breathing," Health Canada warned.
"The design of some slings also forces the baby into a curled position, forcing their head to bend towards the chest and potentially restricting the child's airway. Caregivers should not zip up their coats around a baby in a sling or soft carrier to keep the baby warm.
"A baby can suffocate in less than a minute and as consciousness is lost, the child will likely not be able to cry for help."
Slings have been promoted by baby experts as a way to calm fussy babies or for nursing moms who can breastfeed their little ones in the sling. Baby experts and breastfeeding advocates insist that not all slings are dangerous. They say carriers that keep a newborn baby solidly against the mother's body, in an upright position, are safe.
Consumers can call Infantino toll-free at 1-866-860-1361 to receive a free replacement product.