Parents are being urged to ensure they know how to use a baby sling correctly after a six-week-old boy died after collapsing as he was being breastfed by his mother. Tiny James Alderman, known as Jimmy, collapsed after being positioned too far down the sling and despite resuscitation attempts he died three days later in hospital.

Now a coroner has issued a warning about the dangers of baby slings. And a charity has reiterated steps parents should take to keep their baby safe.

Jimmy was being “hands-free” breastfed in the carrier worn by his mother while she moved around their home. An inquest into his death was told he was in an unsafe position too far down the sling, collapsing after five minutes.

Resuscitation was started straight away but he died three days later on October 11 2023. Lydia Brown, senior coroner for west London, warned there was "very little" safety information about baby slings available to parents despite a “significant increase” in their use over recent years.

The so-called “baby-wearing” phenomenon is believed by some to help bonding between mother and baby because of their close proximity. However the coroner said there appeared to be “no advice that breastfeeding hands-free a young baby is unsafe due to the risk of suffocation”.

Calling for industry standards promoting the safe use of slings she said: "There appeared to be no helpful visual images of 'safe' versus 'unsafe' sling/carrier postures." She added: "The NHS available literature provides no guidance or advice."

The coroner continued: "In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths." Copies of the coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths Report were sent to sling manufacturer Beco, as well as the NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care.

According to The Lullaby Trust, a charity providing expert advice on safer sleep for babies, the risk appears to be greatest “when a baby’s airway is obstructed". This can be by their chin resting on their chest or their mouth and nose covered.

It said: "Slings and baby-carriers are useful for holding a baby hands-free, however they are not always used safely. Although there is no reliable evidence that slings are directly associated with SIDS, there have been a number of deaths worldwide where infants have suffered a fatal accident from the use of a sling.

"These accidents are particularly due to suffocation, and particularly in young infants. The risk appears to be greatest when a baby’s airway is obstructed either by their chin resting on their chest or their mouth and nose being covered by a parent’s skin or clothing.

"The safest baby carrier to use will keep the infant firmly in an upright position where a parent can always see their baby’s face, and ensure their airways are free. Complete guidance is available by visiting The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents."

The Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers provides the following advice to baby sling wearers: keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When wearing a sling or baby carrier, keep in mind the TICKS guidelines to ensure that your baby’s airway is kept clear, and so you can check that they are able to breathe easily and are not overheating. These are:

  • T ight
  • I n view at all times
  • C lose enough to kiss
  • K eep chin off the chest
  • S upported back

A Government spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with James’s family at this difficult time. We will ensure that the concerns raised in the coroner’s report are carefully considered and that appropriate action is taken where necessary.

"Our product safety laws demand that manufacturers make sure their products are safe and clear instructions are included on how to use them safely. If products are found to be unsafe, the Office for Product Safety and Standards has the power to take enforcement action."