BCIA issues statement regarding CPSC's assertion on safe babywearing

Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) Executive Director Vesta Garcia issued the following statement on today's Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) statement on safe babywearing:

“Our members agree with the CPSC on the importance of educating consumers about proper, safe babywearing techniques. BCIA is currently developing a babywearing safety education program with Health Canada and we hope to do the same with CPSC.”

"BCIA members are moms and dads as well as leaders in their industry, whose top priority is the healthy development and safety of babies and toddlers. Millions of Americans have embraced babywearing as safe, practical, comfortable and convenient. Both its growing popularity and the awareness of its benefits are due in part to an increased understanding of the baby's and mother's biological need to be together. Studies have shown that, for mothers, babywearing facilitates the initiation and ease of breastfeeding and can help moms form stronger bonds with their babies. Babywearing also helps mothers care for themselves and for their babies during the newborn stage. In other words, research shows that this close caregiver attachment and stimulating, safe environment are a critical part of early childhood development.

"Our members agree with the CPSC on the importance of educating consumers about proper, safe babywearing techniques. BCIA is currently developing a babywearing safety education program with Health Canada and we hope to do the same with CPSC.

"US baby sling manufacturers have been working with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) to initiate the nation's first voluntary safety standard for sling-style carriers. The standard, which will be finalized in early 2011, will join standards for cribs, strollers, hand-held infant carriers (car seats), bouncer seats, play yards and other nursery products as an effective way to protect the public from unsafe products.

We remind parents and caregivers that the practice of babywearing keeps babies in the safest place possible -- a parent's arms with baby's face visible to the carrying adult."