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Sling recall brings wave of guilty

Posted Mar 24, 2010 by Beth Gaddis

Updated Mar 24, 2010 at 10:33 AM

I just found out about the Infantino baby sling recall, and I’m freaking out.  I used the “SlingRider” with both of my boys, and I’m suffering all sorts of mommy guilt at the thought that something that was a lifesaver for me could have been a life-taker for them.

Jay used to cry all the time.  I think we bought the sling when he was about 7 weeks old, and it was a miracle worker.  Suddenly, he was cozy and calm and would sleep or stay quietly content whenever he was in it.  I wore it for walks around the block, to stores, to restaurants, everywhere I went.  I didn’t use a stroller for months.

I suddenly had the use of my hands again and could do housework, read a book or log on to a computer.  I was a huge fan of the sling and waved off comments other people would make, including my sister, who once asked, “Aren’t you afraid he can’t breathe?”

“Nah,” I answered, supremely confident that the product had to be safe.

Now that confidence is shattered.  It seems like every time you turn around, something else is getting recalled.  We’ve owned the Handy Manny toy tool set (recalled because the eyes could pop off and present a choking hazard), the Aqua-Leisure Industries baby float (recalled because the leg strap could tear, dumping the baby into the water) and peanut butter that was part of a recall.  And don’t get me started on the BPA-saturated sippy cups and bottles. 

I keep wondering whether anything is safe anymore.