Human babies are born more dependent on their caregivers than most other mammals. They need close contact with an adult for feeding, comfort, warmth and protection. Parents and caregivers around the world have carried their babies for thousands of years using slings and carriers.

Today, many babies spend some of their daytime sleep in a sling or carrier. In a recent UK survey that my colleagues and I conducted, 96% of the 1,470 parents and carers of babies under one who responded said they had used one, often to soothe their baby or remain mobile while keeping them close.

Slings and carriers can be useful, but babies need to be positioned carefully, particularly when they are very young or are being fed. In a systematic review, my colleagues and I found reports of infrequent accidental deaths and injuries associated with poorly fitted or incorrectly positioned carriers.

Following the death of a seven-week-old baby who was being breastfed hands-free in a carrier while his mother moved around her home, a coroner warned that parents were not being given enough information about how to position young babies safely and called for consideration of industry standards. The Lullaby Trust, a baby-safety charity, has also published advice urging parents not to feed babies hands-free in slings or carriers.

At the Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre, my colleagues and I study infant sleep and sleep safety. We take an anthropological approach, considering both babies’ physical needs and the cultural expectations placed on parents. This helps us develop evidence-based guidance for families, health professionals and policymakers.

To understand both the benefits and risks of babywearing, we first carried out a systematic review. A systematic review is a method of bringing together and evaluating the available research on a particular topic. We found evidence that using slings and carriers can benefit babies and caregivers. Reported benefits included supporting breastfeeding, promoting infant development, strengthening parent-infant bonding and improving parental mental health and wellbeing.

The review also examined the risks associated with sling and carrier use. Overall, deaths associated with slings and carriers were infrequent. When deaths did occur, the most common cause was asphyxia, which means a baby is unable to get enough oxygen.

Young babies, especially those under four months of age, are particularly vulnerable because their neck muscles are still developing and may not be strong enough to support their relatively large heads. If a baby’s head and neck are not properly supported, or if they are positioned unsafely, their chin can fall onto their chest and restrict their airway, making it harder to breathe. This is known as positional asphyxia.

The review also found that injuries were most commonly linked to falls, either because a baby fell from a sling or carrier or because the caregiver carrying them fell. Both deaths and injuries were often associated with slings or carriers that were poorly fitted or used incorrectly. This suggests that clearer guidance on safe use could help to prevent some of these incidents.

To understand what parents know about sling safety, we also conducted a survey of UK caregivers. We found that parents use slings and carriers for a wide range of reasons, including making it easier to get around, strengthening bonds with their baby and helping to soothe or settle them. Most parents began using a sling during the early months of infancy and many had already decided to do so while pregnant.

Despite this, many parents reported receiving little or no information about safe sling use from manufacturers or retailers when purchasing a sling or carrier. We also found that many were unaware of the specialist support available across the UK. This includes sling libraries, community services where parents can borrow different types of slings and carriers, receive personalised fitting advice and learn how to use them safely.

A quarter of the parents surveyed were not aware of existing UK guidance on sling safety. Another quarter felt that the guidance they had seen did not provide enough information. These findings highlight both the important role that slings and carriers play in infant care and the need for clearer, more accessible safety information for families.

Our research shows that slings and carriers can offer benefits for babies and caregivers. It also found that deaths and injuries associated with sling use are infrequent and are often linked to poor fit or unsafe positioning. Although these incidents are uncommon, their consequences can be devastating. Parents need clear, practical information about safe use.

With slings and carriers widely used in the UK, there is a strong case for a national, evidence-based campaign on sling safety. Parents should receive clear guidance at the point of purchase, including information about how to position babies safely, how to recognise and prevent positional asphyxia and why it is important to keep babies under close observation while they are in a sling or carrier.

Guidance should also direct families to specialist sources of support so that they can use slings and carriers safely and confidently while enjoying the benefits they offer.

It appears to be getting deeper, according to residents.

Residents in Worsley ‘celebrated the birthday’ of a sink hole on their street after waiting more than a year for it to be fixed.

Neighbours on Dunmail Close and Semington View say they’ve been ‘passed from pillar to post as no one wants to take accountability’ for the approximately one foot deep road hazard. The hole first appeared in March last year, after a sewage system under the road collapsed.

While the council have put up warning signs around the cavity, it says the internal repairs are not the council’s responsibility. However, United Utilities, which tends to manage to sewage system in the area, claims that due to uncompleted paperwork, the sewage system was never adopted by the water company, and is technically the responsibility of Bloor Homes. The housing firm first constructed the housing estate just less than ten years ago.

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Bloor Homes did not respond to a request for comment.

In the meantime, residents say they’ve been left with a ‘very worrying’ problem.

“It seems to be getting deeper,” one neighbour, who didn’t wish to be named, said. “I’m quite concerned because there are a lot of kids in this area, and you have a lot of cars driving past the sink hole to get to the cul-de-sac at the end of Semington View. We’ve also been told the sewers are about five metres below ground… It feels like it’s only a matter of time before something bad happens.”

Another resident, who also did not wish to be named, but lives very close to the hole on the cul-de-sac, added: “No one wants to take responsibility. It’s been there so long, we literally celebrated a birthday for it a couple months ago. The council at one stage even suggested the residents on the cul-de-sac foot the bill for the repairs – but it’s not like we had any role in building it ten years ago. It seems very unfair.”

Local MP Yasmin Qureshi has also become involved in the issue, stating: “Residents on Dunmail Close, Semington View and the surrounding streets are right to be angry. This sinkhole has blighted their lives for over a year, with no resolution in sight and no organisation willing to take responsibility for fixing it.”

The MP has demanded a meeting between Bloor Homes, Salford City Council and United Utilities to a come up with a ‘clear timescale for fixing this issue at no cost to residents’.

“So far, only United Utilities have responded, and they insist it is not their responsibility as the sewers remain unadopted.

“This is not just about who is liable. It is a matter of public safety. The sinkhole sits on a bend in a public road, with reported near misses involving vehicles and ongoing risk to pedestrians, and residents have told me their fences have been struck multiple times.

“I am urging all four parties to come together and resolve this now, before further damage is caused or someone is seriously hurt.”

A spokesperson for Salford City Council say they have taken steps to secure the area, adding: “Investigations established that the underlying problem relates to a collapsed sewer serving a small number of properties. The Council does not own or maintain private sewer infrastructure and officers have continued to support affected residents, actively engaging with United Utilities, the developer and other relevant parties to secure a permanent solution.

“Public safety remains our priority, and we continue to monitor the location to ensure any immediate risks are managed.”

A United Utilities spokesperson said: “The impacted sewer line on this estate remains under private ownership and is not part of our network.

“We have offered our support to residents on the next steps available to them.”

Former professional footballer Jill Scott speaks openly about her personal woes while going through the four day challenges for Sports Relief

Former England footballer Jill Scott has become one of the nation’s sweethearts due to her steely determination on the pitch. But it seems every great athlete has their breaking point as the TV personality, 39, candidly admitted she nearly gave up her Sport Relief challenge this week.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror she said, “I didn’t think I would be able to do the hills.”

At the time of speaking to us, Jill had just completed four days and 359 miles and over 20 hours riding a bike to end up at the Stadium of Light, which is in Sunderland, her hometown.

“I didn’t think I would be able to do the hills when we were going through the Yorkshire Dales, It was literally so tough at the end, I did think if one more hill appeared, I might have to get off the bike and give up.

She added: “They didn’t defeat me, I got through. And I must say, in that moment, Mark, who’s been my cycling guide, definitely did get me through. So thank you, Mark.”

But it seems as though apart from her loyal fans, friends and family, Jill was spurred on by one famous face – Ronan Keating.

She continued: “You know, the support’s been amazing, from messages to people on the street. Honestly, I think it’s going to hit me once this challenge is over, because I feel like in my head it’s just to get this challenge finished.

“So I think that’s an athlete mindset sometimes. But seeing Ronan Keating today, that actually did make me smile a lot. I’m gutted that I missed their concert at the weekend because I was training for this, and I told them they’ve got to do another one just so I can come. But what a guy.”

Jill started to play for England in 2006 and fast became a household name. When asked about her ideal celebrity squad she said: “Oh, that’s a really tough one. Just everybody that sent messages. I’ve had messages from the guys on the Overlap podcast, from Kaz Carney, Nasee Adam, Carly Telford joined us, all my mates, my ex- teammates. There would be too many to make a squad.”

And while Jill has been praised along the way and has tried to make it seem as though she is surviving well, she revealed she did have to endure a few injuries.

“Well, two blisters have just popped on my toes, so there’s a little bit of gory detail. Yeah, it has been really challenging. My knee’s been causing us a lot of pain, so there’s been a lot of moments of getting strapped up.

“I don’t think people see, when you’re arriving at the pit stops, it’s half 11 at night and you’re getting physio till half one, two in the morning. You have four hours’ sleep and then you’re up again to do a marathon or a 30-mile run.”

She concluded: “But I knew it was going to be a challenge. It’s a sport belief, for one of me, it’s as much money as possible, so it’s got to be tough, doesn’t it?”

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Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his nation’s first World Cup game in Toronto against Panama, after being denied entry to Canada.

Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.

He is due to stand trial next year.

In a statement, Fifa confirmed the former Arsenal player, who is now with Spanish side Villarreal, will be unable to travel from Ghana’s training base in Boston, where he is currently located after having his “visa application refused by the Canadian government”.

World football’s governing body, added: “Fifa is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas.

“The host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”

On the Canadian government website, rules around visiting the country state: “If you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”

Partey has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has not been convicted, but is awaiting trial.

A US Customs and Border Protection official added: “The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey, however, at this time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa.

“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection.

“CBP [customs and border protection] officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with US law. CBP defers to Canada for questions on his denial of entry. “

This will be the third location to open this year

A shopping centre has announced on social media that they are set to open a Wingstop.

Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon posted on Instagram that the viral wing restaurant will open its doors there soon.

In the post, they said “We’ve been keeping a secret.. And it’s finally time to let you in on it. WINGSTOP RUSHMERE IS COMING SOON! Get ready for iconic wings, bold flavours, loaded fries, and the Wingstop experience you’ve been waiting for.”

The American fast food chain opened its first location here in March of this year on the Boucher Road to much fanfare. The second location, in Dundondald, opened its doors shortly after in May.

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Further to this, the chicken restaurant appears set to arrive in Belfast City Centre, with plans submitted at the end of March. The restaurant looks like it is set to open on Castle Place right in the heart of the city, with no word yet on an opening date.

Known for its bold range of sauces and seasonings, from the fan-favourite Lemon Pepper to the sweet heat of Mango Habanero, the smoky kick of Louisiana Rub and the daring Atomic, Wingstop’s menu of wings, boneless, tenders, burgers, loaded fries, milkshakes and churros has already made it a viral hit across TikTok and beyond.

Operated by Lemon Pepper Holdings, Wingstop UK & Ireland is expanding across the island of Ireland, with an expected 20 sites to open within the next 7 years.

Rushmere Shopping Centre also confirmed on Instagram in April that home furnishing retailer Dunelm will be “coming soon” to the complex. The popular brand will join major names already at the retail destination, including H&M, River Island, DV8, Superdrug and Mango.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The 2017 coin sold for £28 on eBay on Saturday, May 9.

It features a broadstrike error, a mistake that occurs when the coin escapes the collar during the minting process, causing the design to spill past the edge.

This results in a coin that is misshapen and slightly larger than a standard five pence piece.

Rare 5p coin sells for 560 times its value as design ‘escapes’ edge (Image: Kennedy News & Media)

In the eBay listing, the seller said: “A genuine certified error – broadstruck coins escape the retaining collar during striking, leaving them larger and unstruck to the edge.

“Highly sought after by error coin collectors.”

One buyer purchased the coin for £28, with an additional £2.70 for postage.

It will be sure to have Brits checking their change for the same error.

The five pence coin features the Royal Shield of Arms design by Matthew Dent, which was first introduced in 2008.

Coins up to the value of 50p carry the shield design.

When placed together in the correct order, the 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p, and 1p coins form the complete image of the Royal Arms.

Five Incredibly Rare and Valuable British Coins

What makes a coin valuable?

The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK, with many collectable designs appearing on its heptagonal canvas.

Its 27.5mm diameter makes it the largest of any British coin, and allows space for decorative pictures. It has often been used to celebrate big events over the past 50 years of British history.

The rarest coins tend to be of the greatest value, with the mintage (number of coins with each design made) being the fundamental attraction for collectors.

Along with the design, other aspects of the coin which increase value are the condition of the coin and whether it has an error in its design.

The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin’s value – while some coin collectors will bid vast amounts of money on eBay or at auction, others opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.

Royal Mint top 10 most valuable 50p coins

Here is a list of the top 10 most valuable coins, when they were made and how many were minted:

1. Atlantic Salmon (2023), 200,000
2. Kew Gardens (2009), 210,000
3. Olympic Wrestling (2011), 1,129,500
4. Olympic Football (2011), 1,161,500
5. Olympic Judo (2011), 1,161,500
6. Olympic Triathlon (2011), 1,163,500
7. Peter Rabbit (2018), 1,400,000
8. Flopsy Bunny (2018), 1,400,000
9. Olympic Tennis (2011), 1,454,000
10. Olympic Goalball (2011), 1,615,500

Pauline underwent a full hysterectomy six weeks ago and is recovering well

A Co Down woman is urging others not to miss their smear test after her cancer was caught early thanks to the test.

Pauline Cameron, from Bangor, attended her regular Cervical Screening appointment in June 2025 and like many women, expected everything to be routine.

Sitting amongst the stacks of books that fill her home, Pauline explained how she had attended her appointment as normal, “I did not think another thing about it, as I have had no issues all through the years I have been attending.

“I waited for my results and the results were that some changes in the test had been detected. I was asked to come back for a further appointment in September.”

Cervical Screening is offered routinely to women aged 25 to 64. The test checks for the presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for most Cervical Cancers and abnormal cell changes.

Following further investigations, Pauline underwent a, ‘LLETZ’ procedure (Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone) at Lagan Valley Hospital. The procedure is used to remove abnormal, pre-cancerous cells from the Cervix.

Pauline said, “The staff supported me so much and were absolutely wonderful.”

Pauline explained that the Doctor who carried out the procedure advised her that something of concern had been identified during surgery, “At the end of November, I was asked to come to the Ulster Hospital and to bring someone with me. They had found cancerous cells, but they reassured me that everything was very treatable.”

Now passionate about raising awareness of Cervical Screening, Pauline is encouraging those not to ignore their screening invitations, “If I had not followed through with those appointments and things had just continued on as they were, then this cancer, and we are talking millimetres of cancer, would not have been detected.”

Pauline underwent a full hysterectomy six weeks ago and is recovering well.

A keen runner who has competed and completed a number of Paris Marathons, Pauline added, “My recovery has been good, I have been taking it easy and I have great support at home.”

“No matter what is going on in your life, go for your smear tests. We have the most incredible Health Service and this is a test that can save your life.

“You think, ‘Oh, it will not be me,’ but I never had any health problems and I did not feel anything that felt wrong. That is why it is so important to attend your screening appointments. Early detection made all the difference for me.”

Ulster Hospital Gynae Oncology Nurse, Fiona Rice, added, “We are fortunate to participate in the Cervical Screening Programme which allows cells on the cervix to be monitored for changes from a very early stage. Early detection of cell changes on the cervix allows timely action for further investigation and treatment.

“I would recommend that anyone called for routine Cervical Screening should attend that appointment. I would also encourage everyone to be vigilant in recognising the signs and symptoms of Cervical Cancer:

1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding usually between periods, after or during sex or at any time after the menopause;
2. Discomfort or pain during sex;
3. Other symptoms may include an unpleasant smelling vaginal discharge.