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Original poster

Baby Bjorn: pros and cons (sorry if this is an oft-repeated topic)

37 replies

macneil · 02/03/2007 19:18

Okay, had it with her whining when she's put down and being a big sprawly lump who does my arms in when I hold her and hating the sling and giggling when I hold her so she's upright and looking at my face. I am going to buy a Baby Bjorn today! Are there people who hated theirs? Why was that?

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hunkermunker · 02/03/2007 19:20

What sling do you have?

Personally, I felt Baby Bjorn's were't a good plan because babies in them dangle with all the weight on their spines.

You can have them upright in wrap, ring or pouch slings - you just need to adjust the position of them. Wraps probably better for a newborn who can't support their own head as you can tuck them into it so well.

goingfor3 · 02/03/2007 19:21

I really liked mine and found it really comfortable.

MrsApron · 02/03/2007 19:23

try a mei tai (soft carrier) much easier on the back than a bjorn and same basic shape.

Better for baby too.

here for loads of info

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TheBlonde · 02/03/2007 19:23

The cheaper BB hurt my back so have bought the one with the lower back support this time.

Feeling tempted by a wrap sling too

Pruni · 02/03/2007 19:25

Message withdrawn

DrumMum · 02/03/2007 19:25

I really liked mine as well, they really support the babies head.. can't stand those where the babies heads dangle to one side.. You can face them outwards when they get a bit bigger as well.
the only thing I didn't like is that DD was a bit of a lump and I couldn't use it after 4 months... but maybe I'm a weed

mamama · 02/03/2007 19:30

Don't do it Macneil... I had one and used it for the 1st 3 or 4 months, then it was just too uncomfortable...

I strongly suggest you get one of these (I have both):

A KangarooKorner adjustable fleece pouch

and/or an Ergo Carrier

  • I use it every day with 17 month old DS. He LOVES it and often requests to go in it . The weight is spread over your hips, so they don't hurt your back and the baby is supported much better and sitting in a more natural position than in a babybjorn, where they dangle.

You can use an Ergo on your front, back or hip... it's great

hth

hunkermunker · 02/03/2007 19:31

I'm not a snob about slings, honestly. But if you're spending £50 on one, better to buy one that'll last longer than 4 months, which is about the average length of time a BB is used for, IMO.

funnypeculiar · 02/03/2007 19:31

I loved mine - have only really just stopped using it (dd is 11 mths ... but a titch!) - we had the lumbar support one, and I seriously never noticed I was carrying her. I am told my people who Know Such Things that they aren't such a great position in terms of spine support for los, but I wouldn't have been without mine...

MrsApron · 02/03/2007 19:31

you can get them cheap on ebay. I couldn't use my bjorn after dd was 12lbs but can carry my nearly three year old in a mei tai for about 90 mins.

60 mins when 8 months pregnant.

MrsApron · 02/03/2007 19:33

hmmmm my bjorn had no lumber support and pulled horrifically on my shoulders.

That could be the diff.

Mei tai supports more of baby's legs though rather than crotch dangling.

funnypeculiar · 02/03/2007 19:36

Yes - ours was the most expensive Baby Bjorn one, I must say - we borrowed a cheaper one for ds and I wore it for about 5 mins...

I'm looking at getting an ergo next though ...
And we did also have a pouch one (which I didn't get on with, personally) and recently borrowed a decent ring sling (which suits us better)

MrsApron · 02/03/2007 19:53

pouches v difficult to fit properly ime.

I adjusted mine and they are great but I just cannot work my ring sling. Think I will ebay it.

my ero is niiiice though

CorrieDale · 02/03/2007 19:58

Another vote against a BB here. Couldn't use it after 4 months, and DS wasn't fantastically comfortable in it ever. It also really hurt my shoulders. Good job I had picked it up at an NCT sale for about £2.

Original poster
macneil · 02/03/2007 19:59

Heh, so many posts! Thanks all! Even if you don't agree! The sling I have is called the hotsling and it's just a stretchy-ish stitched up non-adjustable one. Getting her in and out is an act of escapology and she is miserable in it. I want hands free carrying. Am going to do some research of these others now, before I go out in a mad flurry of giddy enthusiasm.

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Original poster
macneil · 02/03/2007 19:59

She is 3 months today, too, which means the posts warning about use up to 4 months are particularly alarm-ringing.

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funnypeculiar · 02/03/2007 20:04

MrsApron - sell the ergo to me - have treid it but dd wriggled like a goodun & was too chicken to put her on my back (was on my own, in a wood, with a 3 year old) - I am told it will get easier ... true? or false?

misdee · 02/03/2007 20:08

try a wrap sling. moby wrap slings are £25-ish

Lindsaylupin · 02/03/2007 20:15

I loved mine, used it for all 3 kids. One thing I must get off my chest though as I never said anything at the time & it still bugs me & I now have a million fab comebacks but none at the time - I was walking in the summer with DD (6 months at the time) with her facing outwards, very happy as she could see, when 2 old farts walked past & the lady old fart said to husband old fart " thats soooooooo dangerous.... what if she fell over..tel her Henry!!!" I couldn't believe it & wish now I'd confronted her.

Feel better now I've had my rant

nooka · 02/03/2007 20:33

I used mine with ds and then with dd until they were about 10mths. Found it very comfortable, and the children seemed happy. I'm not sure what people mean when they say that the baby is dangling - seemed pretty snug to me, and held quite tight against me. Their legs stuck out either side of the bottom bit, but then don't bits stick out when you carry them anyway (by hand as it were)? Maybe the style has changed since I had one, six years ago. I've heard good things about the Ergo too. I suspect that you have to try them out and see how they feel to you.

mamama · 02/03/2007 20:38

With the Ergo, it definitely takes a bit pr practise to get ot on and off with a wriggly baby but it is well worth it!

With mine, I:

  • do the waist strap up loosely
  • loosen the shoulder straps as far as they will go
  • position to back-supporty/ main bit of the carrier over my left hip (I'm right-handed)
  • Put DS on my hip
  • Pull the carrier up, so it is right under his arms
  • Put my arms through the straps
  • Shift DS & the carrier into the 'proper' position
  • Tighten everything.

Works a treat!

Muminfife · 02/03/2007 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

funnypeculiar · 02/03/2007 20:54

Thanks mamama

MuffinMclay · 02/03/2007 21:07

I used mine a twice a day (for up to 45 mins at a time, walking the dogs) until ds was 4 months old, but then I had to stop - it was agony! It really pulled on my neck and shoulder muscles. I have got very weak neck muscles though and am short; don't know if that makes a difference.

MrsApron · 02/03/2007 21:18

Hi funny peculiar

mamama covered my loading technique pretty well. I stuck my 6 monther on my back the other day and she seemed fine. They do get the hang of it and cooperate quite well!

Well worth practising over a bed though till you are happy with it.

People will throw themselves at you when you are out in public and doing this though.