Concerns over baby carriers

[dolly1]

Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts/info on this?
The woman in mothercare discouraged us from buying a baby bjorn carrier as she said there is a risk of hip displacement in the baby. Has anyone else heard this?
She suggested a sling but I'm really not a sling person so I don't know what to do?
Surely they can't be that dangerous of they'd be taken off the market?

Would love to hear your opionions.

Thanks!

I don't think they're ideal, either for you or the baby (bad for baby's posture, bad for your posture and your back). If you wnat a more structured carrier, something like the Ergo is good (I think they're recommended from 15 lbs up and you may need an insert for newborns). Have you tried any slings? They can be less hippyish than you expect

how often are you going to use it? I had a Bushbaby cocoon which I found very comfortable and B always seemed very comfortable in - but I was using it perhaps three times a week max and for quite short period. I think if you are going to use it a lot then you do want something that supports them without putting strain on either of you.

Really just want to use it when I'm nipping out to the shops and don't want to take the pram. So wanted something small and easy. Also thought the bjorn looked nice!
So if I only used it for an hour at a time it wouldn't do much harm?
Or is it not worth the risk?

get one of these- here

i have one. put it on in the morning and pop dd2 in and out of it as i want during the day

well I used mine for that sort of thing - and had a similar one for my other daughters - again without any noticable problems but I know this is a quite a vexed area - I think what we need is someone who can spell out what the potential problem is then you can decide. I'm sure a wise mnetter will along soon

Thanks bigbadwulf! I really couldn't see the prob myself but the woman in mothercare was adament - she really didn't seem to want my money!
I think I will get one for short distances and for dh who is very keen to carry the little guy around.

Thanks to all for the advice.

Really don't see what harm it would do just to go to the shops. This is the first I've heard of a problem with them, and tbh won't be taking much notice myself.
Getting a little fed up with the latest fashion of getting new mums to worry about every little thing!
Used one loads with ds and he can miraculously walk ok!

the thing about hip dislocation is this, IIRC. it's due to abnormal development of the hip because the hip needs certain stresses across it to develop a proper ball and socket form. it has been known for a long time that rates of hip dislocation in small children is greater in certain tribes than others - ie the ones who carry baby round all day in a swaddle type baby carrier when the legs dangle down/are bound together. In the tribes who carry their babies in baby carriers where the legs are in a "frog" position, the risk of hip dislocation is even lower than in non tribal people. So for children who develop hip dislocation, they are often treated by placing them in frog-leg position until the hip starts to develop normally again.

???? does that make sense ?????

The upshot of this in my view is that you might want to consider avoiding prolonged use of carriers where the legs dangle down, and instead use slings/wraps where the legs are held in a froggy type position.

the debate about being bad for backs/posture is a different one and something I do not know much about.

You could also use a Kozy carrier or a babyhawk, and leave a newborns legs on the inside (this is what I do) so they are all froggied up! It's perfectly natural and comfy for the baby to be seemingly "squished" like this - it's quite comforting for a little baby used to being in the womb.

Have a look at
www.bigmamaslings.co.uk
www.naturalmothering.co.uk
www.thebabywearer.com

I am a seasoned sling wearer and would not think of buying any sling available in the "highstreet" now I know more about positioning of baby for good skeletal development - also some of those "highstreet" slings are not good value as they are so badly designed for the parents comfort it's painful to use them after a few months

Types of sling I recommend are a Mei Tai or Asian back carrier (kozy's and babyhawks fit this category as do many other brands) or a "wrap" sling such as a "Storchenwiege" or "Didymos" (there are also many other good brands.

The other benefit of these more "traditional" style slings is having been used by women for thousands of years - they are comfy for both YOU and the baby - it is possible - indeed comfortable to carry your baby up the age of 4y old or more (especially good if you are the outdoor type who might have spent a LOT on a framed carrier which you will find is then no longer necessary). A good carrier as I mention above will do from newborn until whatever age your kid might need carrying up to! (in our case 4 years+)! .

Might seem price initially, but saves a lot in the long-run. you might not even need a buggy or pram at all!!!

forgot to say - older babies and kids can be carried more easily on your back using these slings (usually from the age your toddlers legs are dangling infront of yours and knocking into you!). It might take a little practice (over a bed or sofa - with a mirror to look in) to get the hang of a back carry but you can do it - and once the skill is learned you will be proud of yourself, and you will see how convenient this is!
www.mamatoto.org

i have a baby bjorn active carrier. nobody told me! i loved it.

only thing would say is with a newborn or small baby how likely are you to keep them in there for prolonged periods? even if out and about they will need to come out for feeds and changes etc.

Well, you can feed them in a wrap or mei tai sling. (and discreetly too if you are breastfeeding).

You can keep them in there for longish periods. Don't think of a traditional carrier as only being for when you are out walking.

Lots of the traditional carriers are made of pure cotton, or organic cotton and are very breathable - no high-tech fabrics with chemical coatings or thick foam padding to get you too sweaty or anything!

I have four kids, it's a good way of being able to get on with things at home and keeping your baby close, and happy too!

I've a friend with a DC a few days younger than DD. I've always used a wrap and had DD inward facing. She had DC facing out in a Baby Bjorn. At 6 months, her DC could not sit on her hip comfortably as DC's hips are sooo tight, while DD happily wraps her legs around my waist.

OK, the sample size is too small to be statistically valid, but it did make me think.

The issues re. development of the back are discussed here.

Hi. I would like to learn more about using slings/wraps/and carriers for my DS (8weeks). Since I expect experienced sling wearers to repond to this thread, maybe you would be willing to give me some tipe "heremumsnet.com/Talk/67/464603?ts=1201272818828&msgid=9387935"
?! Thank you!