Chic baby slings may prove dangerous and even fatal for the little ones, warned the Government on Friday.

About 13 deaths related to sling-style infant carriers have been investigated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the last 20 years. Among the dead, four babies were younger than four months of age. Some of them had low birth weight, were born prematurely, or were suffering from cold.

Parents as well as caregivers should be very careful while using infant slings for newly born babies or little ones who are younger than four months.

The sling may prove fatal in two ways. It can press against a baby’s nose and mouth, which can block his breathing and choke him to death. Also, slings where babies are cradled in a curved position can harm them, as babies who don’t have a strong neck control may droop their head forward which hinders breathing.

The commission said that the baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate and may die.

All slings are not dangerous according to Pat Shelly, Director of The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington. She said, “The safest baby wearing is in a carrier that keeps the newborn baby solidly against his mother's body, in an upright position”.