Baby bjorn slings for newborns

[minko]

Just taken my week old DS for a quick walk up to the shops in his new sling. I've never used one before and found it a bit worrying the way he slumped down with his face in my chest! HOw is he supposed to breathe? What am I doing wrong - they are intended from birth aren't they??

[Astrophe]

yes, but i always worried about this too. could you try foldng the top down (the way you do when the baby faces out) and see if his head falls back a bit further. This might also help with 'airflow' around his face.

BTW, I've used it for 2 kids now and they've been fine!

[3andnomore]

Hi there,
erpsonally i really don't like that kind of sling as they are not great for the hips and spine...no matter what they might like to make you believe, lol!
I found my Ringsling brill though! And Wraps are also great, got to say though, never got the hang of my woven one, but the stretchy Moby wrap was easy to get the hang off!

[aitch71]

i loved wearing my tricotti sling when dd was little, she was like a wee secret baby all snuggled up. it's a bit like a ring sling, but easier to manage. too hot for a summer baby, though.

[Loll34]

Oh no - have used the Baby Bjorn with my dd since she was born (only thing that would shut her up) but had no idea that there was any concern over impeding their spinal development?! She's spent hours and hours in it! Can you tell me more? Have latterly discovered ring slings and wraps which I do find much better (www.littlepossums.co.uk v good selection and advice) so haven't used the BB for a while, but worried now...

[3andnomore]

Loll, I think this article will explain it a bit better
link

Aviatrix...just tried to open the Babywearer link but it doesn't work for me, so will post it again, incase it isn't just me
Babywearer website

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

I think it's bizarre that that seems to be the only article that keeps popping up about shop-bought baby carriers. I think many of the current baby carriers (BB and the like) distribute the weight much better both for the mum and the baby. BTW I don't own one of those(I'm into ring slings and the like).

[Loll34]

Ta for that, 3andnomore. Have just read, but yikes, something else to feel guilty about. Looks like it's just the ring sling from now on. I did have a Baby Bjorn Air, which is the lightweight summer version, but stopped using it due to helpful lady in M&S pointing out that my baby's legs appeared to have gone purple. Presumably it was cutting off the circulation in the poor little mite's legs. Not terribly keen on it after that...

[3andnomore]

CTA...does make sense though...the parachute effect just cna't be good on them Hips...and baby's just don't look comfy in them and BB et all seem to promote a unatural position for Babys...!

[3andnomore]

Oh, and Loll..why feel guilty...you obviously weren't aware that there is a question about this, so, how were you to know
Igot one given and used it, but didn't like it, so, didn't use it much, other slings are so much more comfy

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

I'm not saying it doesn't make sense, just that it may not apply to newer slings which distribute the weight better. Also, you can't judge on just whether they look comfortable or not. I've had lots of people wondering if DD was comfortable in a ring sling when facing forward (cross-legged).

[3andnomore]

CTA...yeah fair point...but the weightdistribution is mainly important to the carrier rather then the person/Baby being carried, isn't it...in the end they still hang in a harness llike a parachute and that is bad for the hips...!
Got to say whenever I used my slings people always commented on how comfy they look for me and the lil one...

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

Look, I don't want to be controversial here but I have looked at BB slings recently (in the past year) and the babies don't hang like a parachute. Their weight is distributed fairly well. I have an Ergo too and I really don't see that much of a difference (apart from taking more weight and being able to do back carries). I think the designs are much improved since I had DS nearly 7 years ago.

[3andnomore]

Hi again, well tbh I owuldn't use an Ergo for a small Baby anyway, I believe those belong either in a wrap or a ringsling/Pouch or in a flatlaying Buggy/Pram..but that is just my personal opinion
As for weightdistribution being better...hm...well..to me those Babybjoern slings look still the same as the one I had in 2002...and no, the position looks still as bad for young Babys...again, that is just my opinion! But, like I mentioned before, I find the Babybjoern very uncomfy anyway for the wearer aswell...I mean...when I used the Babybjoern my lil one was probably about 2 month old and a complete dinky donut still and he felt so heavy...in my Sutemi I can even still carry my 4 year old in the frontcarry now...and it doesn't feel as heavy (not that I do that...but I tried it for fun at one point)

[milward]

I've used & use a baby bjorn sling - fantastic.

Used it until around 18 months with no probs for my kids or me. I have always carried my little ones rather than use a car seat when not in the car & in prefernce over a pram/pushchair.

imho the bb sling is super comfy, gives closeness for infants & is so handy to use. I had a wrap around sling that wrecked my shoulder & neck. I've never had this with the bb sling

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

Well, then there we go. It's all subjective - whether a sling looks right to our eyes or not. I merely wanted to point out that the only "research" that seems to be brought up when it comes to statements like "shop-bought slings are bad" is that one internet article from a few years ago.

And no, you don't use an Ergo for a tiny baby but the hanging/resting position of the baby inside it is rather similar to other back-carriers that often get slated for that reason alone, i.e. the position of the baby rather than whether they are comfy or not for parents.

I also think you get used to the weight of a baby as time goes on. Once you've picked up a 4 year old any tiny baby will seem light, whatever carrier you use.

[3andnomore]

CTA...of course it is all subjective...but the Ergo and the Sutemi(that I have) does not put the Baby into the same position as a BB...the back is rounder and the Baby sits on the bum with legs more up rather then dangling legs...and that is what makes the difference!
Milward...hm...how did it wreck your choulders and neck...if you do it right then actually there is less strain on your shoulders and neck...saying that a wrap does have a learning curb...and I only managed with a Moby wrap (which is stretchy and more forgiving) never got the hang of my non styretchy wrap, tbh...!

[SoupDragon]

BabyDragon is 7.5 months and I carry her in a Kimmer from here. Fantastic purchase IMO. Simple and doubles up as a blanket in the carseat and a mat to sit/lie on! I never felt comfortable with a ring sling. I used a "shop bought" carrier with both DSs though ang much prefer this fabric pouch one. It has the added advantage that if your baby falls asleep in it, you can wriggle out of it and lay them down without waking them up.

[SoupDragon]

Meant to say that BabyDragon is 7.5 months and over 20lbs

[Loll34]

Of course the other issue with the babywearing is getting blokes to do it. Men love BBs, because they look all structured and technical but no way can I get my other half to wear a ring sling or wrap! Even ones in very dull colours... On reflection think the benefits of dh carrying the baby outweigh possible issues with the BB.

[3andnomore]

Loll..an Ergo or a Sutemi or patapum look just as manly...or do what I difd and have an asian style mei tai carrier made with some manly material (ours is combat camouflage and cream) dh is a manly squaddy and feels that those are manly enough, lol!

[FillyjonktheBananaEater]

am going to reccomend the Ergo

They are fantastic and no, I am not on commission.

(although I have met the importers and they are very nice)

I can't use ring slings cos they give me a frozen shoulder and I cant use tricotti/wraps because i am impatient and do not like faffing. The ergo is completely fab, and has a special newborn insert.

(just to reassure you though, both mine were carried CONSTANTLY in a bjorn - velcro babies - and they are completely fine AFAIK-both earlyish walkers, and very good at breathing, touch wood)