ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2026
Adult-worn sling and baby carrier safety: exploring parental practices, knowledge and information needs.
Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Safety and benefits of adult-worn slings and baby carriers: a narrative systematic review to inform guidance for parents.BMJ paediatrics open · 2026Pooled it
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThis project responds to concerns regarding infant deaths occurring in adult-worn slings and carriers (AWSC), the use of which is increasing in the UK. We aimed to explore how and why UK parents and carers use AWSC, their knowledge of AWSC-safety and where they find information about using AWSC.
methodsAn online survey for parents/carers about AWSC-use was designed in collaboration with a parent advisory group who also tested the survey usability. The survey was circulated via mail-lists and social media by the Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre, as well as AWSC-user groups and baby safety organisations.
resultsThe survey captured 1470 responses from mainly white UK mothers aged 26-45 years with infants under 12 months. 96% had used an AWSC for multiple reasons (mobility, bonding, soothing, being 'hands-free'). Most AWSC-use began in early infancy; families purchased AWSC from physical or online shops. Manufacturers provided little safety guidance and many parents were unaware of specialist resources (eg, sling libraries). Social media, blogs and websites were popular sources of information. 25% of respondents were unfamiliar with existing UK AWSC safety guidance and a further 25% felt it lacked crucial information.
conclusionsThe survey outcomes highlight the importance of universal AWSC-safety information provision in pregnancy and early post-partum, targeted to mothers, fathers and other infant-carers. This should be disseminated via widely used and trusted platforms with signposting to specialist sources of support and guidance.
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Registered trials
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