baby bjorn vs baby sling - which is easier on sore backs?

[BagLady75]

Does anyone have views on what type of baby carrier is better in terms of back pain?

I'm expecting my 3rd baby, and for my 1st 2 I had a Baby Bjorn. I often had a sore back and frankly the thought of strapping the thing on again is unappealling! So I am thinking of going for one of those shoulder slings (I think the one I saw was called Bébécar or something), but I'm wondering if it will be any better.

thanks!

I would steer clear of anything assymetrical.

The best thing for you to do is once you have your baby, try and borrow a sling for a few days to see how it feels.

The ergo baby carrier is very good IMO

Baby Björn is not ideal, neither for the parent nor for the child. I had one first time round and this time am going for an Ergo, which offers a lot better support and takes the weight off the shoulders. A properly-tied wrap sling is also a good idea.

berolina - will you get the infant insert for the ergo?

Yes (and blimming expensive it is too, for what is essentially a bit of padded material). My friend, who has already had her baby, tried it out with him and it looked fab - she said it felt good too, despite being sceptical about slings in general.

I was given a bjorn and had bought a wilkinet on advice of others. the bjorn was much easier to put together but wow! it made my back ache immediately. and dd is pretty small. the wilkinet is a hassle until you've got used to it but i feel i could climb any mountain with it on. really comfortable and not a tweek in my back.

I have a wilkinet for sale Much better for bad backs x

oooh mag - im just waiting to see if misdee wants the one squimlet has for sale, if she does i may be interested!

Ok
Its in the for sale section

Where can you buy the Ergo?

I lurve the Wilkinet. I wish I'd had it when DS was much younger. He's now one and still going strong.

I find the sling (didymos) much better. I'm quite sad that I didn't get one earlier, I had bought a wow oui carrier but that just put too much strain on my lower back. I find the sling transfers most of the weight to my hip with a bit on my shoulder so it takes the pressue off my lower back.

I found assymetrical slings gave me an incredibly sore neck.

I much prefer ones which distribute the weight more evenly like a wilkinet.

a didymos is great because the material doesn't stretch too much.

Make sure the material is splayed out properly at the back to give good weight distribution.

if you're not planning to carry much beyond a year i'd heartily recommend a tricotti. it's 2 stretchy pouches that you wear one over each shoulder. it spreads the weight very effectively not only over your shoulders but your back too. is lovely and soft and stretchy for baby and is super simple for you. a lot of babies enjoy facing outwards and you can use a tricotti buddha-style (baby sat in with legs crossed in front) which is better than dangly legs, so i hear.

wilkis are great too and a better choice if you want to share carrier between differently sized parents/carers (tricotti is sized to the wearer).

ergos can't be used facing forwards and personally i'd never choose an ergo primarily as a front carrier, although it comes into its own later on.

Ring sling definitely better for your back. Though it's assymetrical, it distributes the weight across your whole back, not your neck, once you get the hang of it.

I found the wilkinet too much bother, especially round the house. the baby bjorn et al distribute weight on your upper back - not good IMO.

Used a ring sling with dd1 until she was 18 months. Use every day with dd2 (9 months) and it's so easy to stick under the buggy when you're out.

Oh and its v easy to bf discreetly in a ring sling.

fondant - the main problem I find with the ring sling is that I can't seem to put a rucksack comfortably on my back when using the ring sling.

that's true - i swapped to a one shoulder courier-type bag.

I agree about the tricotti. A very handy, comfortable sling, but as with all slings, what suits one person, doesn't always suit another.

A good place to go for advice on slings is bigmamaslings.co.uk. There is a chat forum there and loads of info about all the different sorts. The trouble is that once you start looking into it, it can get overwhelming with the choice available.

You could try ringing up different sellers to discuss your particular situation, I get the impression that they are all so passionate about sling wearing that they'd be delighted to help you. Some of them will hire out slings too, so you can try before you buy.

I just wish that more first time mums knew about the options before they spent their money (as I did) on baby bjorns and then go on to carry their babies in agony.

I too am researching the alternatives for my second baby in September as I can't face the prospect of putting the BB on again. I actually went to a local 'sling meet' which was helpful as I got to try on different types of sling and ask questions.

I had a classic Baby bjorn for my first my sister had the sports model which is so much better gives you alot more support!