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Original poster

Baby Bjorns - are they really bad for baby's back?

22 replies

Coconutfeet · 09/12/2008 17:57

I've got a Close baby carrier which has been brilliant and DS has been carried all over the place over the last couple of months. However, I'm finding that he's getting a bit heavy and slipping down much more over the last few days so I need to sort out an alternative carrying position or sling that is more comfortable.

Meanwhile though, I've got to go into central London to do some shopping tomorrow and I can't face the thought of taking the buggy on the tube. A friend has given me her old Baby Bjorn but someone else said they weren't good for small babies' backs. DS is now 9 weeks old and weighs 11 lbs. Do you think he is OK to go in it now?

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foxytocin · 09/12/2008 18:00

surely the close carrier should be holding the baby better for that size and weight?

I don't have one but where is your baby's head when you first put him in the carrier? IME with wraps etc, it should be about neck level so you can kiss his head without much movement from you.

foxytocin · 09/12/2008 18:01

ps all day out in london and you may find the Bjorn killing your back after a couple hrs.

misdee · 09/12/2008 18:02

the bjorn will kill your back.

are you tightening the close enough?

hollyivypoppy34 · 09/12/2008 18:02

I put my dd in one and she loves it - on the basis that a lot of time when I'm out and abotu she is supported (ie sitting on my lap or I'm cuddling her in sling ifswim) I do use for exactly the type of thing you are envisaging..

some discusison (And suggestions here) about it

link

Pruners · 09/12/2008 18:04

Message withdrawn

mrsgboring · 09/12/2008 18:05

I'm surprised if the Close is giving you trouble already (it will eventually slip because stretchy fabrics do, but shouldn't be for a while) I don't have one, though (was thinking of getting one for new baby but might not if you're getting this problem)

A Baby Bjorn won't do your baby any harm (unless your baby has clicky hips in which case the leg position is much less good than a Close upright carry). It is far less ergonomic to carry a baby around, because of the dangling leg thing, and because the BB doesn't transfer weight from your shoulders to your hips very well (even the posho ones with lumbar support - you need something with a waist belt for that)

So I wouldn't say the BB was a good long term buy but won't do your DS any harm. However, do wear it a while before you go off to London, in case you find it less comfortable - BBs tend to drag on the neck and shoulders a little.

And check there's nothing you can improve about the Close before giving up on it - maybe there's a trick you're missing?

MarmadukeScarlet · 09/12/2008 18:09

My DD was a 'big girl' and I have a back problem, I only ever had a BB with her.

She was in it for hours everyday as she loved it and I didn't suffer undue problems.

DS who was a skinny wee thing with low muscle tone/poor head control hated it - and every other sling I tried, boy those were an expensive few months!

Original poster

Coconutfeet · 09/12/2008 18:25

Hmm, it sounds like the BB might not be a good bet for a long trip then.

Thanks for all the answers. Yes, I was surprised that the Close was giving me problems so soon too. DS has been carried in it for hours at a time, both in and out of the house every day since he was a few days old so I'm pretty used to putting him in, but for the last few days he's been ending up down by my waist! I went to the shops with him today and found that he was slipping so far down that I had to hold him up and couldn't carry my shopping properly.

I think I need to have a fiddle with it before I give up on it, but I don't want to take him into town in it again until I'm confident he's secure.

In fact I've just got the Close instructions out and they've got a position for a baby from 12 months up in there, so I must be doing something wrong if I can't carry him at 9 weeks...

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foxytocin · 09/12/2008 19:34

maybe the elastic in the lycra has gone? how have you washed / dried it?

crokky · 09/12/2008 19:37

I think your baby would be fine in the baby bjorn, but I don't think you would all day. I am a big strong woman when I used a bb it caused me problems. My back was OK, but the way your baby presses into you might cause your ribs to ache/stomach to hurt after about 3 hours.

I only used it occasionally when a buggy was a real nuisance.

MrsMattie · 09/12/2008 19:38

The BB killed my back.

littlelamb · 09/12/2008 19:45

Don't go with the Baby Bjorn! I used one with dd (before I knew better!) and kept it and used it for ds but on day 5 I gave up (he can't have been more than 9 lb) because it was killing my back and got the Close. I love my Close but I have just bought a Kari Me wrap as it has more options for carrying really and I really love it. I have worn it all day today and I haven't felt it at all (which is the same with the Close to be fair, I never had any problems with it.Have you been fiddling with the rings? I remember when I first tried to swap the sides over I couldn't thread them back through properly! Or if it really is slipping, get the long side ties and tie them in front, under ds.) I love that ds kind of molds to me in a wrap- especially good right now as he is a bit under the weather. I really do think you should give the Close another shot- my ds is 6 months and close to 20 lb and I have had no problems with it at all

Original poster

Coconutfeet · 09/12/2008 20:36

Hmm, it sounds like I'm doing something wrong. It's not as if DS is a great hulking thing after all - he's only 11 lbs. I did unthread the rings when I washed it and I bet I put them back wrong - I've definitely still got silly new mum brain. Going to sit down with the instructions and figure it out.

Thanks for all your help!

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angel1976 · 09/12/2008 20:37

I've taken a pushchair into central London a couple of times and you will be surprised at how helpful people on the tube etc are... Also, you should plan a few pit stops. Mamas and Papas on Regent Street has a lovely cafe with things like bouncers and baby gyms that you can lie your baby on while you have lunch. John Lewis on Oxford Circus has a baby room on the top floor (where the baby department is anyway) if you need a break... GL! It won't be as bad as you think!

DoNotsAntlers · 09/12/2008 20:43

It is not their backs which is necessarily the (only) problem to be aware of....I think that it is their hips which are more of a problem (with the legs splayed) and the potential for cutting off circulation to the legs if the leg holes are either too tight or the position is bad so that there is pressure on the main artery

ohreindeerwhatamessysleigh · 09/12/2008 20:48

Don't know about babies' backs, but using a Baby Bjorn with ds1 wrecked my back and neck.

mrsgboring · 09/12/2008 21:02

DoNotsAntlers - it's not because the legs are splayed - the opposite in fact, they aren't; they dangle down. It's better for a baby to have legs wide apart (but well supported) as they are in many other types of sling.

DoNotsAntlers · 09/12/2008 21:44

Mrs boring....I disagree slightly - the legs should be wide apart - but in the right alignemnt. A baby bojorn style sling causes the hip joint to rotate outwards (as well as down).

foxytocin · 10/12/2008 08:11

the other concern with the BB is that the baby 'hangs' in it by his pelvic floor. Can only imagine having a baby's body weight on his pelvic floor won't do him any good.

Isaidkissmeunderthemistletoe · 10/12/2008 08:23

I've got the close and I'm having no probs with dd at 6 mths - although she is only 14 lb.

Are you using the extra tie around bit for extra support?

Also I find it gets loose and baggy when it needs washing. It is lovely and tight when just washed.

We had a baby bjorn and I couldn't use it for longer than 30 mins even with a 6 week old baby.

FrannyandZooey · 10/12/2008 08:38

try a woven wrap if the close is getting too saggy - it does make a huge difference although the tying is slightly trickier at first
agree b bjorn is crap and uncomfortable for both parties!

Original poster

Coconutfeet · 10/12/2008 13:46

Well, I've rethreaded it, taking time to follow the instructions and it feels like a new sling! I did it in a bit of a rush last time and must have done it wrong. Doh.

Thanks everyone!

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