The heart-wrenching incident involving three-week-old baby Harvey McGlinn serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of safe babywearing practices. Tragically, a coroner’s ruling indicated that Harvey likely choked to death on a cloth sling worn by his mother, Tattika Dunn. The heartbreaking event unfolded at a community health center on the NSW Central Coast in 2019, leaving Harvey’s parents and the broader community in shock and grief.
Tattika Dunn unwrapped the sling she was using to carry Harvey and discovered him immobilized and lifeless. Despite the frantic efforts of the health center staff to perform CPR, Harvey could not be revived. The coroner’s findings shed light on the positioning of Harvey’s neck, which compromised his airways and led to his tragic demise.
The evidence suggested that due to Harvey’s relatively light weight and underdeveloped neck muscles, maintaining an open airway was challenging in the sling. This unfortunate incident underscores the vital importance of adhering to proper babywearing techniques to ensure the safety and well-being of infants.
Tattika Dunn and her husband, Bill McGlinn, are enduring an immeasurable loss, a loss that has left their hearts shattered. They’ve openly expressed their unwavering love for Harvey and their ongoing grief over his passing. The couple, who also have twin children named Seth and Bailey, will forever cherish the memory of their beloved son.
While both the health center staff and the manufacturer of the product were cleared of liability, Harvey’s story has prompted a reevaluation of baby sling safety. The sling in question included suffocation warnings and instructional booklets emphasizing the need to carry babies upright and ensure their chin remains off the chest. Following the tragedy, NSW Health modified its advice regarding the risks associated with baby slings.
A significant development in the wake of Harvey’s passing is the creation of the abbreviation “TICKS,” which serves as a mnemonic to guide parents in safe babywearing practices. TICKS stands for Tight, In view, Close, Keep chin off chest, and Supported. This acronym reminds parents to ensure their baby is securely held, remains in view at all times, is close enough to kiss, maintains a posture where the chin is off the chest and not curled, and receives proper back support in a natural position.
As parents and caregivers, it is crucial to prioritize the safety of our little ones when engaging in babywearing. The heartbreaking loss of baby Harvey McGlinn serves as a stark reminder that adhering to safe practices can make all the difference in the world. Through education, awareness, and following guidelines like TICKS, we can honor Harvey’s memory and work towards preventing similar tragedies in the future.
