BabyBjorn Slings - okay for a newborn?

[CoffeeMum]

The Mothercare catalogue says that BabyBjorn slings are okay from 8lb [which is often the weight of a newborn], and that they can be used for newborns when the head support is up and they are facing in to you. But they don't specifically say they are suitable from birth - does anyone know if they are? I got on pretty well with our BabyBjorn with DC1 and am hoping to use it again without the need to buy another sling...

Thanks

[TaurielTest]

Hm, I've never tried a BB, but I guess that if the newborn in question is not less than that weight, facing in and you use the head support, you could try it - maybe you can judge whether you think your newborn's neck and body is properly supported and she's as cosy as you'd like in there? I understand that slings that hold a new baby's legs up in the froggy position are best - not sure whether you can achieve that in a BB or not.

If you think you might want to try a different kind of sling - I loved a stretchy wrap with my newborn - you could always get one second hand, and then sell it on for what you paid if it turns out the BB is fine for you. There are some suggestions about places to get slings (incl second hand) here.

[Igglybuff]

We used the BB from 3 weeks for our DS (9lb 4 at birth) although not for long periods - just for walks out. He was fine! His 8 week check up which included his hips was ok - no problems. I have now got a close to me sling. more practical for use at home (getting 10 wk DS out for feeds etc)

[SexOnFire]

I used mine from birth both times. It was ace.

[chocolaterabbit]

I used a BB with both DCs from birth (although DS is now too heavy for me to carry him comfortably in it with his changing bag at 8 weeks)...

DD was actually smaller than the recommended limits because we hadn't spotted them in the sleep deprivation haze but we kept her very tightly in so her head couldn't flop down and she was perfectly happy.

[CoffeeMum]

Sorry for coming back to this thread so late - i've had my hands full recently, and being at the end of pregnancy really slows you down...

Thanks for all your replies - good to hear that using the BB could be a feasible option for a newborn. I will double check that baby is within the weight guidelines, and go from there - if baby seems happy, i reckon i can get away with using it for shortish periods, round the house etc. I hear there are all sorts of marvellous slings out there, and i'm sure i could find something more suitable, but you know what it's like, you get used to a certain kind of thing and are quite happy to stick with it - especially with a newborn baby to contend with!

Thanks again for your posts and apologies again for the delayed response.

[YouKnowStuffingIsForLunch]

Always used mine from birth (and still using it now at 7 months)

I love my BB - it's the one with the extra back support which means I can carry them for hours (back is not good!)

[CoffeeMum]

Thanks Stuffing - good to hear, though i fear i'll have given up the sling by 6/7 months, i'm not a very strong type! - however, DS has always been a chunky little thing I'm just thinking that a sling will be very handy for a newborn around the house as long as there's also a toddler on the rampage too - a way to keep them apart!

[YouKnowStuffingIsForLunch]

They're a life saver! All my 3 have loved them - and it means you can get on with things knowing they're near.

[OhBuggerandArse]

Wilkinet is officially fine even for teenies, and is much much better for your back and their hips that the Bjorn - and not as intimidating (for me, anyway) as a sling that you tie from scratch. I don't proselytise about baby gear, except this...

[MangoMama]

Please don't use BabyBjörn slings, they are not good for ANY baby.

The position for the baby is really bad (she should be sitting, not hanging like in a parachute). They are also awful for the parent's back.

Better choices are those carriers that are tied to the waist of the parent and in which the baby is in a sitting position. This includes traditional slings, pouchs and mei-tais, and some ergonomic backpacks like ErgoBaby, Manduca, Yamo Baby Carrier, Becco Butterfly, etc.

You can read more abou it here:

babywearingbuzz.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-bjorn-and-snugli-are-bad-for-baby.html

h ttp://www.mothering.com/discussions/archive/index.php/t-504243.html

www.continuum-concept. org/reading/spinalStress.html

[MangoMama]

Sorry, here go the links again:

babywearingbuzz.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-bjorn-and-snugli-are-bad-for-baby.html

www.mothering.com/discussions/archive/index.php/t-504243.html

org/reading/spinalStress.html

[sasamaxx]

Yes - please don't use baby bjorns.
There are FAR better options out there.
For the same money you can purchase brilliant, stylish, simple carriers that are good for baby's hips, spine etc...

[dorisbonkers]

Yep, a third saying don't go near em. My baby was born with a dislocated hip so I saw a few orthopedic paeds and they said no, they don't get the legs up enough and besides the head position is all wrong.

Get a moby, a woven wrap or an Ergo with an infant insert.

That said, using one for the odd half hour hear or there will be fine. Just I wouldn't recommend any longer.

[internationaldad]

Are these comments against the BB for all of them? or just some models? We've already dismissed the original BB because of lack of support for parents back - it is a feature we want. But have been considering the BB Active because it does have the extra support to put the weight around parents hips. Trying an empty one on in shop felt good. though realise some other points have been made about baby's position and weight on spine.

[BertieBotts]

internationaldad, there are still much better slings out there. The BB active does seem slightly better than the normal one, but TBH, for the money especially you can get something miles better.

All baby bjorn slings have the baby in a bad position - dangling from the crotch rather than sitting, this puts unnatural strain on baby's spine.

If you want a sling which is similar to the bjorn in having buckles and being quite structured, look at Soft Structured Carriers (SSCs) like the Ergo, Patapum, Beco or Connecta. (I am sure there are others too) - these all have much better positioning for the baby and better support for the parent as well. I am not sure of prices of all but the Patapum is about the same price as the baby bjorn, I think.

If you are open to other kinds of slings, I think that a stretchy wrap is absolutely the best kind for a newborn, but I understand not everyone likes the idea of all that cloth!

[BertieBotts]

Also, I would say - having carried a 24lb toddler in a sling on my back, which does effectively transfer the weight onto my hips (this was the toddler version of the Patapum) that trying on an empty carrier is very different to actually "wearing" the baby in it for a period of time. And in fact a carrier can even seem comfortable when you first put the baby into it, but it is 5-10 minutes later when you have been walking around and the baby has relaxed into position that you really feel whether it is adjusted correctly.

Some interesting articles from Patapum website (Hope that link works)

[foxytocin]

Internationaldad: the newer Babybjorn model is copying the Meitais and other soft structured (buckle) carriers which are based on the Meitais anyway.

For the price of a newest 99www.amazon.co.uk/gp/search/ref=pd_lpo_ix_dp_am_us_uk_en_baby.020bjorn.020comfort.020carrier?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 glbabyproduct?keywords=baby%20bjorn%20comfort%20carrier&tag=lpoixdpamusukenbaby.020bjorn.020comf ort.020carriergl_baby_product-21&index=blended babybjorn}}, you can get 2 very very good SSCs which will last from birth to 3 or 4yrs. and here as well

the old BB was not just about parent comfort they were always pretty rubbish for a baby's spine and hip from the very start. only they didn't want to say that. Now with the growing popularity of soft structured carriers which are also ergonomically designed for the baby and the parent, BB is now producing a newer version to hold on to their market share.

pretty shit company policy if you ask me but then I am the cynical sort.

caveat: I haven't seen or used one of the newer versions myself and for the price of it, I guess it will stay that way.

[foxytocin]

what rubbish attempt to link.

glbabyproduct?keywords=baby%20bjorn%20comfort%20carrier&tag=lpoixdpamusukenbaby.020bjorn.020comf ort.020carrierglbabyproduct-21&index=blended babybjorn here

[foxytocin]

ack! the linky gremlin has taken over.

glbabyproduct?keywords=baby%20bjorn%20comfort%20carrier&tag=lpoixdpamusukenbaby.020bjorn.020comf ort.020carrierglbabyproduct-21&index=blended babybjorn here

[foxytocin]

glbabyproduct?keywords=baby%20bjorn%20comfort%20carrier&tag=lpoixdpamusukenbaby.020bjorn.020comf ort.020carrierglbabyproduct-21&index=blended babybjorn it is what you get for not previewing first.

or maybe I should go to bed.

[BertieBotts]

Wow, I have also tried that link several different ways and it does not want to play at all! Perhaps you could just say what you searched for?

[foxytocin]

google babybjorn comfort carrier and go to the amazon.co.uk?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 link

or copy and paste it from here. the price is a real shocker.

www.amazon.co.uk/BABYBJ%C3%96RN%C2%AE-095038-Comfort-Carrier-Anthracite/dp/B0033U?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 WVRO

[foxytocin]

from looking at it BertieBotts, I think it isn't wide enough at the crotch to provide good pelvic support in babies at all. And when the baby grows closer to toddlerhood and into toddlerhood, with their lengthening legs, it means that their spine will still be stressed as well as the hips because the legs will dangle. like imagine horse riding without stirrups.

[BertieBotts]

It's ok, I have got a Patapum - was just trying to be helpful with link but ws confused by it s well

[lucieisgettingsomewhere]

I've got a babybjorn and used to think they were good. I used it for ds1 and ds2 but only a handful of times and only when they were tiny. This time around, after realising how quickly it starts to become uncomfortable and reading about the fact that it's actually not good for baby, added to ds3 hating being in it, I thought I'd try a sling a girl I know from another forum sells, as it's only £25 or so including postage, and honestly, I would never dare go near the bb again (it's an active as well). The difference between wraps/ring slings etc and a bb sling is huge. COmpared to the BB my new one is like I'm not even wearing ds3 (4 months), he feels that light. He's snug as anything, the positioning is much better, and he loves it.