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116 cases of babies falling from baby slings reported

52 Comments

According to a recent survey conducted by the Tokyo metropolitan government, the number of cases in which babies have fallen out of baby slings has exceeded 100.

Since 2009, a total of 116 cases have been reported, and of them, 26 resulted in the children being hospitalized after having sustained injuries to their craniums from the fall, TBS reported Tuesday.

Officials found that most of the accidents occurred when the child's parents were turning the sling around, shifting the child either from their back to their stomach, or vice versa.

The government surveyed approximately 3,000 parents living in the metropolitan area, with children six or younger.

In response, the Tokyo government has formed a committee of experts and doctors to discuss measures to help prevent such accidents from occurring in the future. A report is expected to be presented before the end of the year.

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52 Comments
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Stop using slings? But I will wait for the panels recommendation next year.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Officials found that most of the accidents occurred when the child’s parents were turning the sling around, shifting the child either from their back to their stomach, or vice versa.

Well, that's dumb to start with. The report should read "116 cases of idiots dropping their babies".

16 ( +23 / -7 )

I knew it! And women use these slings while riding bicycles too...

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Yes while riding bicycles! They should be arrested! I see it all the time where I live. Can't believe it!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

While ridiing bike's while texting and holding an umbrella with an older child in back seat too.

Mirai HayashiAug. 06, 2014 - 08:19AM JST

I knew it! And women use these slings while riding bicycles too...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

They're probably not using the slings correctly... but then they probably have babies because they didn't take the time to read the instructions on the box of condoms either...

9 ( +10 / -1 )

A consumer safety issue is not a matter for a metro municipal government to get involved with. National govt regulators should be charge.

Why doesn't Tokyo spend the same money and effort into building more outdoor swimming pools, grassed parks and tennis courts? I've got none in my crowded Tokyo neighborhood. A few shaded boulevards won't go amiss, either.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Slings are not the problem the idiots using them are!

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Officials found that most of the accidents occurred when the child’s parents were turning the sling around, shifting the child either from their back to their stomach, or vice versa.

I could never understand why people put babies on their back to begin with. Who knows what could bang into them, or you bang them into something when you swing your body. Or they could be choking and you can't even see them.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

In response, the Tokyo government has formed a committee of experts and doctors to discuss measures to help prevent such accidents from occurring in the future.

Experts? How does one qualify to be an expert on the safe use of a baby sling? The problem is not with the slings. The problem is with the nongs that are using them.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

The panel is also looking at cracking down on the current safety standards (the design itself) of the slings. Let's think of a way we can criticize this too.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I think its pretty obvious that the slings themselves are not really safe. In order to use one without incident requires vigilance. You can see by looking at them that sometimes one edge of the sling gets folded under the baby and if you don't resolve that issue correctly, the baby just falls right out. Step number one to resolving such an issue is to bend down, even so far as to rest the baby's weight on the ground, and THEN fix the sling. Otherwise, you remove the baby and start over from scratch.

I carried my baby in a sling on only a few occassions. I cannot even imagine trying that with my baby on my back! Even with my baby around my stomach or on my side, on hand was on him at all times. The sling was just to take the weight out of my arms and put it on my shoulders. I never considered it a complete support system.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

No doubt the "experts" will be a bunch of old guys who have never held a kid, their alone their own. Seriously, what a waste of tax money.

How about muppet parents don't try and move baby from back to front/front to back while standing? Sit down and make sure your child is safe. Is that too much to ask? Seems so for these 116 bone heads.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

I could never understand why people put babies on their back to begin with.

This, it seems that the lack of care in taking care of children here is getting worse. Kids in front seats without seatbelts, moms with babyslings on their backs, moms texting while pushing the babycarts, parents walking 5 meter in front of the child in parking lots, too many issues to name.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

papigiulio: Agreed there is too much ignorance is bliss and "that would never happen to me" in Japan with regards to child safety. New born babies should not be able to leave the hospital unless the car has a baby seat fitted properly in it!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

No doubt the "experts" will be a bunch of old guys who have never held a kid, their alone their own. Seriously, what a waste of tax money.

Apparently you didn't watch the story on television. Why bother with facts when you can just write fluff, right?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

How about muppet parents don't try and move baby from back to front/front to back while standing? Sit down and make sure your child is safe. Is that too much to ask? Seems so for these 116 bone heads.

@tmarie And will you change your tune if the geezers suggest that resulting in fewer people being so stupid next year? When it comes to wastes of my tax yen, believe me, I got far bigger fish to fry than the government trying to raise awareness about babies getting injured, even if they do a poor job, which is yet to be seen.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

What I hate to see is women using them on the subways and seeing the poor baby smashed against people, the doors, and when the mom turns around seeing the poor baby bash against people standing near them. But until nanny government issues warnings on NHK during mommy's dramas things will go on as usual.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Apparently you didn't watch the story on television. Why bother with facts when you can just write fluff, right?

Well seeing as this is this first time I have heard of this, no, I didn't watch it on TV, I'm reading it online and going on the infor provided in the article - much like everyone else commenting I am assuming. Don't see you taking issue with them. Get over your petty grudge and bugger off.

Crush, these slings come with directions. There ARE bigger fish to fry which is why I would prefer taxes be used on frying them.

No idea why folks are complaining about babies on backs. Parents have been carrying their kids that way for ages. Safe when done correcty.

0 ( +5 / -6 )

How about muppet parents don't try and move baby from back to front/front to back while standing? Sit down and make sure your child is safe.

My wife has used the ergo and has often switched from front / back. You can't do it sitting down. She makes it look easy, but I'm afraid of doing it so I always carried the baby in front. I can see how babies could fall out if they suddenly move violently while the mother is changing the position of the carrier.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Well seeing as this is this first time I have heard of this, no, I didn't watch it on TV, I'm reading it online and going on the infor provided in the article

Regardless, you still have no reason from reading the article to assume that, in your own words, "the "experts" will be a bunch of old guys who have never held a kid, their alone their own."

Seriously, what a waste of tax money.

Did you think before you wrote this? How can saving kids lives / preventing injury be a waste of money?

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Yes, because most "expert" panels in this county are made up of women, right? Young women who are mothers. Silly me! What was I thinking!

I think it is a huge waste of tax money when instructions are provided and parents who don't bother reading them won't bother reading the "safety" posters that these old guys think will help.

Kick learn the difference between a sling and a carrier.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

saving kids-you mean children right?-lives is not what this is about. It is about regulation. It has nothing to do with reading instructions on condoms either, whoever made that ridiculous comment. Why presume that everyone uses condoms? Sex on your mind eh. And all the comments that either just out right abuse mothers in general, to the abuse those who use slings carriers whatever you choose, to a quick rebuff whereby it sounds like there is trying to be a line drawn between what culture woman uses it and therefore a specific sense about using them comes with culture.

So for your information what I understand from this article-besides the wasted monies spent on studying them-is that there is more and more the case that women, who are mothers are pressured. Pressured to be the all perfect mother, whilst also being able to multi-task a job, a household and whatever else (judgmental, dictator) society wants to throw at them. There is times when I ve used one of any type of child carrying device, and there are times when I just havent wanted to, decided not to or whatever. The ability to utilize such things is a blessing. The ability to say when it is enough is also a blessing. I would hope that other mothers reading this would step back and think about that, perhaps either slowing down, or deciding to slow down and take the 'thing' off for a while......but also know that they are useful for those times when you are pushed to get other things done, or to use when it may help you carrying them for a while.

As for all the judgemental comments, I just cant believe that you can be that way; what bitterness are you storing away? I pray it doesnt come back to bite you, but better still I pray that you can find a peace and satisfaction with where you are at in life.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Ah yes just what w e need - another panel at tthe taxpayer's expense. What about the kids without car seats issue? Just yesterday I saw a mother driving her car - at night, baby on her lap (unrestrained) & chatting on the phone. I was furious...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Pressured to be the all perfect mother, whilst also being able to multi-task a job, a household and whatever else (judgmental, dictator) society wants to throw at them.

What are you talking about? I know very few Japanese mothers (of infants) who have to multi-task to that extent. Especially not the job part.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

VELCRO!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Tmarie, I find that as somebody who does not have children you do have extreme views on child rearing and any other related issues. In addition, you keep complaining about stereotypes which have been changing in the past several years and you can find fewer and fewer examples of those among the younger generations. (Yes, I know you work in the education system, but still... ) Your assumption about the "bunch of old guys who have never held a kid..." is just that, an assumption. Compared to 10 years ago, I can see many more 20-, 30-, and even 40-something dads getting actively involved in their kids' upbringing.

FYI, even in Japan the word "expert" does not equal "old guy" meaning that chances are that the people who might get involved in creating the panel qualify both as being actively-involved-in-their-kids-upbringing-fathers and being still below the age which you and others call "old." ;)

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

learn the difference between a sling and a carrier.

I know the difference, thank you. The translation is wrong. In Japanese, a "dakko-himo" refers also to the baby carriers, such as the most famous Ergo types. Here is the Japanese news source :

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20140804/k10013541901000.html

Look at the picture. That's a carrier, not a sling.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Please recommend a new mascot!!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Jane, I am commenting on who they will hire as "experts" Do you think the old men in power who often sit on panels have had a hand in raising their kids - if they even have any? Many more dads are indeed taking part but those dads aren't usually in positions with the government nor would they be of an age to be called "experts" by the powers that be here. And you might want to look at the video posted in the link above to see who is doing the talking... a male in his late 50 or early 60s. Lord, do you people read who does most of the child rearing in this country? It isn't the mean. They're too busy slaving away at the office. I'm not commenting on anything that isn't well known in this country.

And one doesn't need to have kids here to be able to comment on some of the horrible parenting practises that one sees here. Just as one doesn't need to be in the education system to comment on how poor some things are. Just as one doesn't have to be in government to comment on how poor it can be. "Extreme" views because I think some don't take the proper safety measure? Seriously?

Kick, if you know what you are taking about, great! Me too! A sling is not the same as a carrier and don't blame me for the translation issue. You stated Ergo (which is a carrier) when the article states slings. I'm going by the info the article contains. Take it up with JT, not me.

And you can indeed sit down when changing positions with an ergo. As I stated, sit down and take the proper safety measures to look after the kid you are carrying. Why anyone would argue with taking safety measures when dealing with kids is beyond me.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Pressured to be the all perfect mother, whilst also being able to multi-task a job, a household and whatever else (judgmental, dictator) society wants to throw at them.

How silly.

What are you talking about? I know very few Japanese mothers (of infants) who have to multi-task to that extent. Especially not the job part.

plus 1

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Educator, an interesting post. Can't help but wonder if folks are trying to push sales of Japanese brands after your post. Some offer inserts for newborns. Not sure why the companies are being held liable for this when there are options out there based on size, weight... J kids aren't THAT much smaller than western kids at birth nor through the years of the age where they can be carried. BLaming "foreign" brands is laughable. I also had a good chuckle at the video above that demonstrates a woman bending over and the doll falling out. Seriously, if someone if dumb enough to bend over, as the video demonstrates, while having a kid in a sling or carrier, nothing is going to help save that child from the stupidity of the parent.

Tessa, you know I agree with you! As always!

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Maybe those parents were dropped on their heads, too.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

In response, the Tokyo government has formed a committee of experts and doctors to discuss measures to help prevent such accidents from occurring in the future."

Ummm, while this is all good, how about a committee of experts and doctor to discuss why there are still so many parents who allow their children of all ages to ride in vehicles not strapped in child seats or seat belts? There are so many more babies and children injured and even killed as a result of this.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

No worries - you've just proven my point above that I made with getting a panel of "experts" to look at this is useless when parents don't often read or follow instructions. Save our taxes, save our trees, save their breathe... Much like how there are rules about child seats, seat belt, cycling helmets, not leaving kids alone in care.... far too frequently ignored here - and not punished. We can go on about child safety until we are blue in the face but until the government steps up and punishes these kind of parents, kids will continue to get hurt regardless of "experts" and their suggestions.

-4 ( +0 / -5 )

really,they dont have more important things to discuss?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

ReformedBasher: "The panel is also looking at cracking down on the current safety standards (the design itself) of the slings. Let's think of a way we can criticize this too."

Easy. A panel can't 'crack down' on anything whatsoever, save cracking down on less wasted taxes by firing themselves since they're just going to do nothing useful. Now, what they CAN do, if they can get past the easy money they make sitting around and stating the obvious (and let's be honest, this happens all the time... remember the panel formed to discuss the reasons why so many people here commit suicide? Remember they're 'findings' after a good period of time? It was, I believe, "People kill themselves because of stress and depression". That's all they had), is make some suggestions, but no cracking down.

As for the slings, I've seen some women whip their kids around from back to front, and while they did it rather expertly and without any harm to the child that I could see, it was a little scary to watch, and the slings (actual slings, not the carriers Kickboard pointed out) didn't seem all that 'sturdy'. These stats seem to prove there is a definite problem with how people are carrying the kids.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

illsayitAug. 06, 2014 - 02:10PM JST saving kids-you mean children right?-lives is not what this is about. It is about regulation.

Read the article:

a total of 116 cases have been reported, and of them, 26 resulted in the children being hospitalized after having sustained injuries to their craniums from the fall

An injury sufficient to result in hospitalization is about saving lives.

It has nothing to do with reading instructions on condoms either, whoever made that ridiculous comment. Why presume that everyone uses condoms? Sex on your mind eh.

Sex (without contraception such as condoms) -> baby -> baby carriers. I'm sorry you're incapable of making associations more than one step removed from the topic. Perhaps you should ask someone for help making the bigger jumps before you sound off?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I am commenting on who they will hire as "experts" Do you think the old men in power who often sit on panels have had a hand in raising their kids -

Until you show a list of the experts with their ages and proof that they have not participated in raising their kids your statement is nothing more than an assumption. I am not trying to lecture you but making statements without having any proof for them does not help the discussion at all. If anything, in this case particularly, such statements only make the forum a place for venting you personal frustrations.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Certainly am making an assumption. Based on the "expert" panels I have seen here on various issues be it parenting, education, suicide... Based on who runs this country. Do I need to remind you how poorly women are represented here in management and government positions?

You are entitled to your opinion as am I. Hence the point of the board. Are you going to lecture the others who are also suggesting this will be a waste of tax money based on assumptions or am I just the "lucky" one? I see plenty if other comments suggesting this is silly. Why not "lecture" those guys as well?

-3 ( +1 / -5 )

Because tax money and the assumption you made are two very different things. And as I said, I am not trying to lecture you. There is no need to get all so touchy.

As Educator 60 said there is a great variety of slings, cribs, baby carriers, etc. and this industry has not been properly regulated meaning that some of the products do not comply with safety standards. So, again, CHANCES ARE the tax money spent on this is spent for good reason, not just waisted. But is there any chance of you ever giving this country a credit for anything? To use your logic, based on all your comments so far, there is no chance of such a thing at all.

Cheers.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

"with children six or younger."

Really. Somebody's carrying a 6 (5, 4) year old kid in a baby sling? (sigh) Not very bright.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I used the ergo things for all of mine. I didnt like the sling although I had many friends who swore by them. I found them bulky and pulled too much on my neck. I dont know what carriers specifically this is refering to, or maybe all of them? But speaking for the ergo, there is only one way a child can fall out of that if it is properly strapped in, and that is by turning it upside down, such as by bending forwards. Mine was Japanese and the first time I used it I couldnt understand the instructions either, but the pictures clearly showed what was dangerous.

So it seems to me, at least with the ergo carriers, that the only accidents that happen can be caused by people doing stupid things like bending forwards, or not strapping the child in AS PER THE INSTRUCTIONS, and there is no panel of experts in the world who can crack down on lack of common sense.

Ah! Theres the problem!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Just duct tape the kids to ya.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

""""Pressured to be the all perfect mother, whilst also being able to multi-task a job, a household and whatever else (judgmental, dictator) society wants to throw at them.

What are you talking about? I know very few Japanese mothers (of infants) who have to multi-task to that extent. Especially not the job part."""

Okay Ill explain it. When a mother has a job and little children-little as in babies. Why dont I draw a better picture. Let's say a mother of 2, one is youchien age and the other is 6months, or a a year old. Something like that. In the situation in which I envisage a mother working, I would say the mother multi-tasks with the housework, as well as preparing the older child for youchien, as well as any contribution of time with involvement surrounding the youchien. Then she would also possibly still having not full night sleeps, so that pressure and lack of sleep. Plus the baby she may have to take to a minder or prepare things for a minder-IF she was working. And dont forget all the little mother child moments and time that would also be a part of her day. Then IF she had a job there would be all the things involved with that, perhaps having a make-up routine of some sort, making sure certain clothes are ready and available, and then getting to and from the job, as well as any other sort of job prescription alligned things that would crop up-overtime and such. Then let's not forget that there is a husband or a father in the situation-usually- and time together as a couple as a family, plus all the family meal preparations, buying the food cooking the food, clean-up and so on that add to just one day of the woman's world-IF she is a mother who has a job. I would say that is multi-tasking.Now where does the baby carrier come into that-perhaps she uses it when taking the eldest child to youchien, or perhaps she uses it while making dinner. It is a personal choice after all. Maybe she uses it when the youngest one is crying and it helps get the baby to sleep while she multi-tasks hanging the washing. Really that part is hard to draw a general picture because it can all be so very individual-like the type and timing of the job. A english teacher may only have evening jobs, a nurse may have shift work etcetcetc.

And of course this is one situational picture I have drawn, just an idea, there really is so many variation on top of that right.

So it wasnt silly what I wrote at all. In fact there is a lot of people who would attack what I wrote because of things like that meeting being held in Japan in amonths time trying to push and pressure women more into work. Like Tessa you would notice Howard Stern. Men need to be empowered to be able to support their wives and the mothers of their children. The government needs to empower the men so that they can empower their family. Not the government cloaking the use of women in the workforce with feminist type of analogy, but being a true femminist voice and empowering women who are mothers as well; that what they do is important, just as important as any other job. Stop trying to make them do everything and them belittle them when they as in this article-what it sounds like to me-that they are going a hundred miles an hour to keep up with all that society presuures them with. Slowing down. Any of those carriers are safe if you are using them sensibly, as soon as you start to go a woman without any children's pace, like moving the baby from front to back or vice versa while you are multi-tasking anything else, you are compromising the child, but more you are falling for society's dictator-like, un-mother like, communistic, approach to mothering. You are allowing the voice of society to push you beyond what you know is sensible just so you can keep pace with those loudmouths who seem like they care. Be strong, get a clue, (get velcro) and show those loudmouths know-it-alls that you know how to be a mother and they are not going to faze you!!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I could never understand why people put babies on their back to begin with. Who knows what could bang into them, or you bang them into something when you swing your body. Or they could be choking and you can't even see them.

Totally agree with this. I hated the idea of having my baby on my back when I cant see what is going on behind me out on the street. But when they ARE really useful for the back - when you have to make dinner for the other children but the baby is screaming to be held, usually because they are tired. Pop them on your back while you are cooking and they nod off in minutes. Worked a treat! Of course, there was a time when I swore I would never be seen in a kitchen barefoot cooking dinner with a baby on my back, but then, when I was 21 I was living in Sydney sitting in the Kings Cross McDonalds watching all the Japanese businessmen coming in and out of the strip clubs and swearing I would never marry a Japanese guy either, and look how well that worked out for me! :-/

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Pop them on your back while you are cooking and they nod off in minutes.

That's what my mil said one day when my daughter was small, I was a bit under the weather and she had come round to help out. I had never put my daughter on my back, and when mil popped her up there little daughter thought it was a great new game; she had been about to drop off to sleep, but up on OBaachan's back she spent a good two hours dancing and crowing and getting more and more excited, until mil (her back pummelled and hair in knots) gave up and put her in her cot. Peace and quiet and a sleeping baby in less than two minutes. I reckon it all depends on what any particular baby is used to and finds soothing.

....don't you wear slippers in the kitchen? :-)

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Baby slings or the baby wraps are very comfortable for carrying the babies.. But the must be very careful about if the are carrying the baby properly or not.. Also they must keep a careful eye towards it..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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