BabyBjorn Mini - calm me down pls

[Nope2024]

I've bought a BabyBjörn Mini carrier.

In the last hour, a friend of mine has told me they are absolutely terrible for the baby and will screw up her hips. I actually really need the carrier this week so don't have time to buy a different one, and can't really afford a more expensive one in any case. I tried the stretchy self tie ones and couldn't get my head round it, and don't have the money for a fancier one. There isn't a sling library near me so it is what it is. It's too late to return the BB mini carrier. I can't, in all good conscience, sell it if it's bad for babies and I can't really be without it this week.

1. How badly have I fucked up?
2. Is it true that carriers cause hip dysplasia?!
3. Would you carry on using it?

Am naturally very sceptical of the BabyBjörn website's claims that it is absolutely fine...they would say that, wouldn't they?!

You don’t need a more expensive one. They’re pretty expensive.

It’s been a good few years since I’ve bought a sling but they used to have an awful reputation because they legs aren’t in a w position. Find a local sling library and ask for advice.

I prefered Manducca slings but it’s personal about which ones are most comfortable. On ebay they sell for between £20 to £40.

I’m just one person with one story, but I used the BabyBjorn carrier for both of mine, almost daily, and there are no issues that I’m aware of years down the road. They were only in them for up to an hour at a time, usually far less than that.

There’s a hack to use a scarf to increase hip area to avoid dysplasia.

I used a BabyBjorn carrier for my youngest - I don't know if it was the same one or not. Someone gave it to me and I didn't even think about researching it. I used to mainly wear it around the house every day to get stuff done, but partner used to walk quite far with it. Child is 17 now and doesn't have any issues!

The new ones are better.
The original design ones were awful, narrow crotches, where baby basically dangled.
They sit now.

My dd had one from momcozy , like this very simple.

I used a baby bjorn mini with my son, moved up to a baby bjorn mesh one with a back strap with more support for me once he was a bit heavier. I lived on the third floor of my apartment before we moved into an house he was 2yo!! used daily on walks to car, round the park if he fussed in the buggy or pram. Healthy 6yo child now with zero hip issues and he can walk 20k steps no problem and regularly into his football training, kickboxing you name it!! Don't panic! I would 💯 buy a baby bjorn again and LOVED the clip in and out system they have.

They don't look great, but it won't hurt occasionally. In the longer term, I've got all my carriers from vinted because there's no library by me and i didn't know which one I liked. Look for a ergobaby embrace which is an easy soft clip carrier which is good for new borns. They're often a bit shabby, but you can get one for £10.

They aren’t advisable, no. And I’d never buy one. I cringe when I see babies in them. Baby should be facing you with legs in the frog position.

Return it and get yourself a secondhand carrier that is ergonomic and properly positioned or a wrap. There are plenty of affordable, safe options out there.

They aren’t great, they are narrow and don’t have a great shape. It’s possible to get them into a good ergonomic position when they are little, but after about 12 weeks it is harder. I’d find a sling library and look at what else is out there. For you it will become uncomfortable as it isn’t designed well for the adult in terms of straps to distribute weight.

I had a baby ergo 360 and it was brilliant. Can face multiple ways and can adjust the front part for their legs for forward facing.

Thanks - there isn't a sling library anywhere near me and I can't afford an Ergobaby (and need a carrier this week so can't wait to faff about with Vinted and the will they/won't they post). I'm going on a walking holiday tomorrow for a week so it is what it is tbh. Baby will be in the carrier A LOT. I'll try the scarf hack and chalk it up to experience. ☹️

You really can't take the baby on a walking holiday in that. If it were just for round airport it would be fine, but the baby will be in it for hours bouncing around. You've got a few days to practice using the wrap. It takes time but you'll get there

This woman rents carriers. On her website it says she will post this week. The ergobaby embrace is £10 https://sheenslings.com/hire/

you asked if I would use it? For a walking holiday, nope. It won’t cause dysplasia to a baby with good, healthy hips. But it isn’t going to be comfortable at all for either of you, baby needs to be able to curl and they can’t in this type of sling if they are more than a few months old.

if you need to use it, use it sparingly, keep an eye on baby’s temperature and position and keep an eye on ability to breath well.

id be getting to grips with the stretchy wrap and watching as many videos as possible. Return the bb when you get back from holiday.

1. the babybjorn is not ergonomic.
2. false
3. no. I’d buy a manduca xt

how old is your baby? This is not an ok carrier for a baby that’s going to be in it for hours a day on a walking holiday. It won’t be great for your back (or whoever is carrying the baby) either. These carriers are designed for nipping to the shops / getting the chores done for an hour or so at a time.

Well maybe not do the walking holiday? Put baby first?

I’m pretty sure the newer design is much better on the hips. I know the old one I had (18 years ago) was bad but I’ve seen a mini recently and the baby sits with much more support.

I've just looked it up and honestly the baby looks like it's sitting in the same way that mine did in the ergo baby. I also don't see a lot of difference in the way the baby is carried when comparing images of both latest designs online.

I know many people, including me, who have used baby bjorns and all of our now much older children are absolutely fine. There is a huge amount of snobbery about them in the online sling using community that with the hindsight of no longer having a baby comes across as massively unjustified.

Why not post something less likely to make a new mum feel shit about herself?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the BabyBjorn Mini. Your baby will not get hip dysplasia from it!

The only issue with it is that it doesn’t last very long as it’s not a very comfortable carrier for Mum or Dad as your baby gains weight.

The worst thing that will happen this week is that you don’t find it very comfortable. Your baby will be fine.

This video shows the scarf hack that might make it more comfortable for you.

https://sheenslings.com/2021/02/23/how-to-use-a-scarf-to-extend-the-width-of-a-baby-bjorn-or-other-narrow-based-baby-carrier/amp/

So in answer to your questions @Nope2024

1. You haven't
2. No they don't
3. I would still use it, as with any sling the baby will need regular breaks.

There are slings that are better designed for hiking that will help you distribute the weight more easily and keep the baby in a position that you and them are both less likely to get too hot in and that come with things like shades that you might want to look into if hiking type walks are your thing.

As, I remember, evidence is that if baby doesn't have hip issues, a carrier won't cause them. However, if baby does have hip issues, a bad carrier can worsen them. Watch some videos to ensure you can get a good W shape and be aware of TICKS, to ensure safe baby carrying.

https://parentingexpert.co.uk/understanding-the-ticks-rules-of-babywearing/

Beco Gemini Cool carrier off Amazon is good and you can get next day delivery. I preferred it to the more expensive brands when I tested them at my sling library x

I loved my Beco Gemini and if you can get them from Amazon you can try and return 👍

If the baby is old enough to hold their head up, though, I'd go with a framed backpack style for a walking holiday, though. You will be very uncomfortable carrying a baby on your front for hours if they are past the newborn stage.