Infant deaths prompt gov't warning on slings

WASHINGTON -- The government is warning that those chic baby slings that hip moms and dads are sporting these days can be dangerous, even deadly for their little ones.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission says it has investigated at least 13 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers and is now advising parents to be cautious when using them for babies younger than four months.

The agency says babies can suffocate when a sling's fabric presses against the infant's nose and mouth, blocking the baby's breathing and suffocating a baby within a minute or two. The other scenario involves slings where the baby is cradled in a curved position, nestling the baby below mom's chest or near her belly.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)