Babywearing cottage industry in trouble because of poor designs....

Poor infant carrier designs by Major Manufactures parents trusted because of the Manufacturer.
This morning I was on my favorite parenting message board, Triangle mommies and came across a CPSC press release.  I first reacted with anger. When my DS was little I wore in two slings, one i made myself and I bought from a reputable sling manufacturer, Kangaroo Korner.  I remember researching slings and made a conscious decision to stay away from pack carriers like the Bjorn and "bag slings" I thought both might pose a safety risk to my then small infant.
My experience in the baby wearing community was one where Work at Home Moms and Large scale sling producers had their own standard.  There were certain materials that were part of the standard, including Heavy Steel Rings, Heavy Nylon rings, Sewing and surging standards.  These were primarily set by the manufactures who took pride in thier work and wanted repeat customers and recommendations. Their goals were not entirely bassed on profit.
  Things that were avoided were massed produced slings and pack carriers.  That included the recently recalled "Infantino Bag Sling." Across the web where baby wearing was discussed I cannot count the times that people were warned of overly massed produced baby carriers.  The reasons were often because of construction that might uncomfortable for parents, or dangers to the baby being carried.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a statement demanding there be standards for these products.  That's fine but when the product in question has been recalled numerous times, not from WAHM or other sling/carrier producers but from a single manufacture I feel like, as do many other baby wearing parents, the baby has been thrown out with the bath water. 
Furthermore the CPSC is also issued a warning to parents of premature infants. Its been long known that Kangaroo care or baby wearing is extremely important in the development of these infants.  Parents of Preemies often relied on WAHM slings to carry out the prescribed Kangaroo care.  I feel like the CPSC has again gone to far in their warning and should be warning parents of specific sling designs, not just slings and baby wearing entirely.

Sling Manufactures have come against the Warning, read about it here.
http://indianapolis.momslikeme.com/members/JournalActions.aspx?g=246852&m=10754812&source=stream_rail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2010
Release #10-165

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Warning About Sling Carriers for Babies

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months of age. In researching incident reports from the past 20 years, CPSC identified and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including three in 2009. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months of age.

Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling's fabric can press against an infant's nose and mouth, blocking the baby's breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.

Many of the babies who died in slings were either a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues such as a cold. Therefore, CPSC urges parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low weight to use extra care and consult their pediatricians about using slings.

Two months ago, the Commission added slings to the list of durable infant products that require a mandatory standard. Additionally, CPSC staff is actively investigating these products to determine what additional action may be appropriate. Until a mandatory standard is developed, CPSC is working with ASTM International to quickly complete an effective voluntary standard for infant sling carriers.

CPSC recommends that parents and caregivers make sure the infant's face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling's wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, change the baby's position after feeding so the baby's head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother's body. Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about frequently checking their baby in a sling.

CPSC is interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are directly related to infant slings. You can do this by visiting www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.