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Thursday February 23, 2012

What we're talking about

Dad furious over sling lecture

Posted by: 3AW Radio | 24 January, 2012 - 10:06 AM
baby

A Frankston man has placed a complaint with the ethical standards department after enduring a lecture from a police officer for carrying his child in a sling on his back.

Andrew Langford had taken his one year old daughter for a 10 minute walk around the block in the sling in a bid to settle her to sleep, when two police cars pulled up beside him.  

The officers told him they were there to check on the child after recieving complaints from the public that the child was in danger.  

Mr. Langford says he understands the police had a duty of care to investigate the situation, but he feels they were inappropriate.

Essentially, they gave him a lecture in parenting and told him it was unsafe to carry his baby in a device made to carry a baby.

Listen to his interview with Neil Mitchell below and view photos Mr. Langford posted on Facebook of his baby daughter in her sling.

Does the sling look like a dangerous device or were the police officers out of line?

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PHOTO: The sling in dispute

PLAY: Andrew Langford tells Neil Mitchell what happened and why he is outraged

Andrew Langford's Statement on Facebook:

Beach street, Frankston. 2 police cars stopped, 3 police got out and interrogated this Dad for wearing this 12 month old baby in this Olives and Applesauce soft structured baby carrier while she slept (with the hood on). They had received a call from someone saying a man was suffocating his baby while walking down the street.

After 1 officer stuck her head into the sling to see the baby, noted that they baby was fine and said so, they lectured this man about parenting, informing him that it was too hot to wear the baby (under 30 degrees with a cool breeze in a suburb by the sea), that it was unsafe to have her on his back, apparently having her on the front would "give her more room to breathe". They told him that his baby was at risk of dying of SIDS and requested he remove the sling and carry the baby home, which he refused to do because it would wake the child. 1 officer reached their hand into the sling and removed a small toy the child was holding in her sleep and stated "now there will be better airflow so she won't get so hot". 1 police officer loosened the hood which was supporting the sleeping baby's head.

After all this 1 officer asked why the was getting frustrated. The Dad was told to use a pram from now on.

We are very disappointed at this harassment from three individuals who clearly have no information about babywearing. We understand the need for police to investigate reports of child endangerment, however, there was no need for the intrusive behaviour that followed after the police ascertained that our baby was fine....

Blog comments Your Say

  • A mum and Jane, that was exactly my point before.
    If the baby was going to fall due to something breaking on the sling at least if in front the parent has a chance of catching the child but if on the back there is NO chance of that.
    I don't care how many people say that this was a method of child carrying for ages, how many children suffered as a result?
    The father saying this is MY child and I will do as I please is frightening.
    So it being your child gives you the right to be irresponsible?

    Peggy Thursday 26 January, 2012 - 1:04 PM

  • i bet the person who rang the police was older than 65 years old. why i say that because most old people have nothing to do other than complain and stick there nose in other people's business and the 3 police should be sacked what a waist of police time and taxpayer funds

    darrin werribee Thursday 26 January, 2012 - 5:57 AM

  • Great to hear the Policeman was showing concern for this little child. If your child is on your back, how on earth can you see his/her face to know what they are up to. Once sided story I admit but great advice - take it on board and learn.

    A Mum Wednesday 25 January, 2012 - 9:54 PM

  • We don't have the full story, only that of Mr. Langford and some after-the-incident pics. So, I would hate the actual facts to get in the way of a good story, but all of the above is hearsay and a personal view.

    Google.com.au on baby sling deaths and you will get 484,00 hits.

    Google.com.au on baby sling death falls and you will get 255,000 hits.

    As reported in The Age, 14 April, 2010:
    "Despite the extensive use of baby slings in Australia - and at least five cases of infants being hospitalised in Victoria because of injuries from falling from one in the past 10 years - there is no national safety standard for the product.

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is now investigating the need for a safety code, particularly for babies younger than four months. The move comes after more than a million Infantino SlingRider products were recalled in the US after they were reportedly linked to three infant deaths.

    In Australia, it is believed there have been no deaths associated with baby slings over the past decade. But at least 21 Victorian infants have been presented to emergency departments due to injuries sustained when they fell out of a baby sling, or when the person carrying them in the sling tripped or fell.

    ACCC deputy chairman Peter Kell said the watchdog was looking into the need for a national standard and that the review would investigate the construction of slings and materials used. It will also look at how deeply a baby should sit within a sling, which appears to have been a key issue with the Infantino products."

    So good on you Vic Police. Mr. Langford take the guidance on board as friendly advice.

    Jake Wednesday 25 January, 2012 - 7:08 PM

  • How can you possible complain about the police! They are after all the guardians of the public! They know everything and their guidance in our society is paramount! The man should be grateful to the police. He is now the recipient of their great advice and expertise! All at no cost to him! (Other than a few taxes).

    David Wednesday 25 January, 2012 - 4:41 PM

  • I cannot believe the comments relating to the above photos which are only a demonstration of the sling, NOT taken on the actual day.Obvious to me yet you call Frankston people unintelligent!! These slings have hard backs & the baby is perfectly safe when they have full neck control, it is designed with the legs apart to help with balance & notice the baby was crying until he put her in the sling & went for a short walk before she fell asleep indicating she was comfortable.I know the area & it is not a crowded street with others "swinging backpacks which could hit her" for goodness sake-he was in a suburban area with a cool breeze coming from the sea & lots of trees.Andrew you did everything correctly,just continue to enjoy your baby girl as they grow up so quickly.

    Get off his back Wednesday 25 January, 2012 - 11:08 AM

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