I wasn’t surprised this week when I saw that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will probably be issuing a warning on slings. After all, they are supposed to be the governmental agency that is looking out for the safety of our most precious resources. But since Tuesday, March 2, 2010 their head has been saying how dangerous these products are and that their warning would be coming out last week. I have seen nothing more than a week later from them that is informational, educational or helps parents to know what to do. I was taken aback that they didn’t emphasize that this is an issue of educating the public. To create this level of worry and then not follow through right away is irresponsible.

Parents need to know how to do things safely with their babies. Period. Instead of using this fabulous opportunity to educate the public about proper usage of a product that can make parenting less challenging the CPSC is fear-mongering and implying that these products are essentially accidents waiting to happen. Any product used improperly is likely to cause a problem. How about if we act as if you parents are intelligent and when given good information you can make decisions that are right for you and your babies? I know, it’s a shocking thought but I insist that you can be trusted to care for your babies. Who cares more about the safety of a baby than that child’s parents.

So, what’s a parent to do? Let’s start with the following:

1. Always read instructions provided with any product prior to use. If there is an instructional DVD or online video, watch it.
2. Follow the safety tips at one of my favorite websites, TheBabyWearer.com:  http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/HowTo/SafeBabywearing.htm In fact, you can print them out and share them with your friends and family.
3. Use common sense when using ANY product with your baby.
4. Any time this kind of “announcement” causes you concern, don’t panic. Take a deep breath and go to your trusted resources to find out what’s really happening. And if you are unhappy that the CPSC is not giving you what you need, write to them (see my blog on the CPSC and cribs).

I hope that as you continue to learn as grow as a parent alongside your baby that you will remember the following: Part of parenting is dealing with this kind of stuff. It’s unsettling, but I know you can handle this and you don’t have to do it alone.

Cribs are supposed to be the safe place to put your baby down. The manufacturers have known for quite some time that drop-side cribs have safety issues. In fact, less than a year ago Toys r Us told the manufacturers that they will no longer carry drop-side cribs in their stores.

The crazy part is: the cribs being recalled DO meet the standards set by the federal government and the industry.  The federal standards have not been changed since 1982 and other industry standards have not changed since the late ‘90s.

Last year Consumers Union recommended that manufacturers look at a better crib design. The Consumer Product Safety Commision has set up a “Crib Information Center” on their website.

Parents, I know this news is unsettling, but it’s real. Take a deep breath, read the articles. Check your own crib over to ensure it has not been recalled and to make sure that yours is not at risk. Then follow the advice that’s given to make sure your own crib is a safe sleeping environment. Lastly, let the CPSC and the crib manufacturers know that you expect more from them. We’re talking about cribs here, not coffee cups at McDonald’s. Even those come with a warning on them. You need to let your voice be heard—and the voice of your sweet little one who doesn’t yet have the ability to express their own voice.