HONOLULU -- Recent federal warnings on the danger of infant slings for babies younger than 4 months old have raised concerns about the safety of the popular carriers.

A local group that teaches baby carrier safety is urging the continued of use the slings, but they want parents to learn how to use them correctly.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission identified and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, in particular, an Infantino brand baby carrier. It is a type of sling carrier.

Kristin Speltz of the local nonprofit baby-wearing group E Ho'o Hapai na Kamalei has recognized it as dangerous for several years now.

"So when the baby is in here, they end up being scrunched up into this C-position," Speltz said.

The CPSC said keeping an infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest restricts their airways. The sling's fabric can press against an infant's nose and mouth, suffocating a baby within a minute or two, officials said.

Speltz said she hopes parents are not scared off by the warnings.

"There's so many benefits to baby wearing that it would be really sad to stop wearing just because you think something is not going to work or you think it's unsafe," Speltz said.

Speltz's baby-wearing group has been around for nearly five years, teaching the proper use of baby carriers.

Parents who meet with the group can also try out different carriers before they commit to one.

"I like this one because it's very convenient when I go for errands and things like that," parent Marsha Mochizuki said.

Speltz equated safe baby wearing with knowing car seat safety.

You can contact at E Ho'o Hapai na Kamalei carrythechildren@gmail.com.