The Independent on Sunday reveals, nearly four years ago the manufacturer of baby slings was warned of the dangers the carriers posed, before being implicated in the deaths of three children in the USA.

Now, facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit, California-based Infantino has had to recall over one million slings worldwide, over fears they pose a suffocation threat. Over 10,000 of the SlingRider baby carriers have been sold in the UK, so far.

Investigating 14 deaths over the past 20 years, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a safety warning last week, triggering the recall of all Infantino’s SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo models.

Three deaths have been directly linked to the carriers, and it is being alleged if pressed against the fabric, a baby’s nose and mouth can be blocked, causing suffocation within minutes. Another fear is when a baby is cradled in a C position, its head flops forward, chin to chest, pinching airways and restricting breathing.

In recent years, celebrities have made slings fashionable, as they are presented as the most natural way to carry babies, including helping mother and child bond.

In 2008, adapting the SlingRider, the company included a fabric mesh to ease breathing, however, it did not help address the chin-to-chest issue.

A free voluntary replacement programme has been announced with the recall of one million infant slings in the US and 15,000 in Canada.

The CPSC has also advised consumers to stop using these slings for infants younger than four months of age with immediate effect due to a risk of suffocation / asphyxiation, including contacting Infantino for a free replacement product.