The tragic death of baby James (Jimmy) Alderman in a sling has led to many questions about the advice given to families about using slings and baby carriers for young babies, particularly while breastfeeding.
The Lullaby Trust was sent a copy of the Prevention of Future Deaths report following the inquest into Jimmy’s death. We are committed to reducing the number of babies who die suddenly and unexpectedly, and we take this report and the learning from it very seriously.
We are currently funding research into sling and baby carrier safety. Sophie Lovell-Kennedy at Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre (DISC) is leading the research, which is interrogating the current research and literature. This research is jointly funded with Teddy’s Wish. We hope to discover any risks associated with baby slings and carriers, and to speak with UK parents about their use and knowledge of slings and carriers. We hope this research will lead to clearer guidance for parents, but finding clear answers will take time.
In the meantime, we are taking immediate action to consider if the advice we currently give should be altered. We are working with a number of government bodies, researchers and charities in doing this, alongside Jimmy’s parents and Jimmy’s cuddle.
While we are considering the messages, we urge families to look at the advice that is available through The Lullaby Trust about slings. Our recent advice on babies’ airways is a really helpful way to understand how to keep babies’ airways clear and why babies are best slept on their backs.
We send our love to the Alderman family, and all those affected by Jimmy’s tragic death.
