Bjorn advice

[superbabysmummy]

DD (17 weeks) goes nuts when I put her in her Bjorn... This is a problem because we live very rurally and I need to get out & about with her but our pram is getting bogged in the mud, it's also a pretty rough ride for DD. I try her in it every day but she goes crackers, real tears!

Any advice as to how I can get her used to it? Anyone had a similar experience?

[grants1000]

Front facing and back facing, have you tried both? Just keep on trying a few minutes at a time, getting longer each time. Do you go outside for a walk straight away? The walking motion should help settle.

[ZuleikaD]

Do you have her facing in or out? At 4+ months she's probably ready to face the world. Bjorns aren't great for outward-facing, I find, because it's hard to get them into a good straddled sitting position. If she really hates it, it'll only be a couple more weeks until you could put her in a backpack carrier.

[Floweryhat]

Get a better sling? Connectas are good.

Explanation here of why some high street carriers might not be as comfortable for a baby.

Of course, some babies just don't like it .

[superbabysmummy]

Both ways & I get the same reaction! We've tried walking round and round the house and straight out too... Doesn't make a difference.

Thanks for your feedback

[hereagain99]

I had exactely the same problem with DD, she hated it. I changed it for a babysling and she loved it

You may want to try different one and see which she likes.

[Abigail9580]

I found what DS was wearing would have an impact on how happy he was!! If the trousers had an poppers on the inside of the legs I think they would press in and he would get un- comfy. Also had to make sure his top wasn't rolled up! But once that was sorted he loved it. Hope that helps a little.

[HappyJoyful]

I hope this doesn't sound patronising or ridiculous, but have you checked where/how her arms are 'dangling'... I know at some point (I think around this age) when using our baby bjorn our dd went mad a couple of times until we realised she had her arms 'over' the strap bits. when we tucked them 'under' she settled again. As I say, I thought it was just us being thick putting it on, but since then have seen various friends with babies arms sticking out and we've all done double takes and realised it's on wrong.

Sorry sounds garbled, but do just look at where strap goes around their arms it can be easy error to make

[superbabysmummy]

Will check her arms & clothes thanks, I did wonder if the carrier plus her outside suit and my coat was all a bit much material for her to cope with ... How do I keep us warm without all the paraphernalia!

We have a sling too, it's not great on my back over distance & the uneven terrain ... She loves her sling :-)

[Floweryhat]

Can you get a bigger coat? Then you can just dress her for indoors, pop her in, and do your coat up over her to keep her warm? Hat on her head and you're all sorted .

What sort of sling do you have? I wonder if it might be worth seeing if it's on right? 'Proper' baby carriers are usually a million times better for your back than the high street brands... Unless you mean a one shoulder sling?

[ZuleikaD]

A sling cover is better than any coat you can put her in. There's a great MAM one that's waterproof, windproof and lined with fleece. There are fleece pockets for you too. If you're wearing one then she doesn't need to wear an outside suit. Much comfier!

[rednellie]

Don't carry her facing forward - it's really bad for babies hip joints and spine. Here's one article explaining why. Also, maybe thing about a different sling. I've used an ergo baby for all my lot and their fantastic - can start from when they're tiny and I'm still carrying my 3 year old in it! Great for walks over rough terrain.

[Abigail9580]

The fleece covers are brilliant! We have one and my DS normally just wears his normal clothes, the cover and a hat. And I put the sling over my coat then we are both warm. I found if he was under my coat he got too hot and then grumpy.

[ZuleikaD]

Also if you're shopping they get w-a-a-a-y too hot in an outside suit when you're in a shop and start getting grumpy, but you can just loosen a cover or take it off to cool them down.

[fififrog]

If you have a sling that is uncomfortable you need a new sling!! Baby Bjorn won't last much longer anyway as it gets super-uncomfortable as they get too heavy.

I have a Rose and Rebellion, and the Ergo carrier is pretty similar. My DD is nearly 2 and I can still carry her comfortably on my front for short distances (15-20 mins). It is far more comfortable to me than even our macpac rucksack carrier. Between about 8 and 15 months I barely used the pushchair at all.

[Turquoiseblue]

Try a soft stretchy sling - moby wrap are brilliant

[BertieBotts]

It might be uncomfy for her. Try this: canadianbabywearingschool.com/?p=749 it's a way of making the baby bjorn more supportive and comfortable for a baby. If she likes this then it might be worth investing in a different carrier.

The position that babies are in in bjorn type carriers aren't great because they suspend all of the baby's weight on their crotch (and spine). I think it makes sense that some babies just aren't comfortable that way, even with a lot of padding from a nappy etc. It's better for them to be in a seated position with knees higher than their hips.