Babybjorn carrier vs sling

[numbertwo]

Hi everyone. I'm expecting no.2 in a few weeks' time and have been wondering about buying a sling for the little one - I have a toddler as well so I'm thinking it ill be useful to be able to "wear" the baby for a while.

Anyway, I have a babybjorn carrier from DC1, which seemed to work well but have seen a couple of negative comments about them on other threads so I am wondering what people think about the pros and cons of the babybjorn carrier vs a more traditional sling.

Personally much preferred the Babybjorn but I guess it very much depends on you. I couldn't really get on with my Moby wrap too complicated to tie with baby and toddler.

Why not get a few different slings? They are not expensive, and you can pick them up very cheaply second-hand on Ebay. My husband likes the more structured Baby Bjorn type carrier (actually a Graco model, but v similar) whereas I prefer the sling type ones: a Premaxx Baby Bag and a ring sling. The baby loves them all!

I like the bubasling, look on mamas and papas website.

Wrap sling brilliant for me - have baby (now 6mo) and 3yo. ds slept brilliantly in it, and I'll be able to use it to tie hiom onto my hip and backl as he gets older. Wrap more comfortable for me than babybjorn, as you can spread the weight more easily.

I've been pondering this as I want a carrier but don't want to do the whole crotch dangling thing.

I have seen slings with buckles whcih seem to offer the ease of a carrier whilst not doing the crotch dangling thing, but I honestly don't know how good they are.

Perhaps the experts on here can advise? Something like the ergo does anyone know the pros and cons (cost is obviously a con!)

Crotch dangling thing???

Have a look at www.slingguide.co.uk (for lots of info from parents, and places to get them second hand) and over on the slings and backpacks thread too.
Please beware of bag slings such as Premaxx, they are dangerous and some have already been withdrawn from sale.
A wrap, mei tai or soft carrier (connecta, ergo etc.) will hold your baby's legs, hips and spine in a better "froggy legs" position than a baby bjorn will. But lots of people get on with them well - the main thing is to be carrying your baby, however you do it!

YEah, it's not good for the spine apparently.

Really don't quote me on it as I haven't researched it loads but it appears that the downside of the babybjorn is the way the baby is carried in it.

An article here, but as I say, I'm no expert

continuum-concept.org/reading/spinalStress.html

Puddock, how do you rate the Ego? Is it worth the money? Is there a cheaper imposter that's as good?

i keep a fleece peanut shell in my bag at all times- awesome multi tasker, sling, emergency blanket, restraint for on bus, doddle to bf in on the move etc or if want to be discreet, or just for getting hoovering doen when dd refuss to settle!. picked it up in tk maxx for £7 - they are normally £40.

for longer pramless durations have mamas and papas cybex i-go which allows newborns to lie flat till 4 months not all scrunched in - doesn't slip around like some others, quite expensive but once you get the hang of it doddle (instructions are a bit epic!)- was actually very pleased with it - although some other reviewers online hate it.

shesdrivingmecrazy, get along to a www.slingmeet.co.uksling meet and try out a few
ergo is popular, patapum and connecta are both cheaper well-regarded soft buckle carriers. mei tais are easy to get the hang of too, and one like a babyhawk can be picked up for £30ish second hand.

the i -go is good for the spine - thats how it's marketed should've mentioned that - was my main reason for purchase as we walk a great deal need something dd could be in for a while.

Thanks Puddock

MamaL, in carriers like the BB, Graco, M&P one, the baby is put in physical position with puts his weight on his crotch / pelvic floor. It is an unnatural position for the babies it forces their legs to dangle and the hips to be in an unnatural position as well.

When a baby has 'clicky' hips, for example,The pavlik harness for example keeps a baby's legs in the froglike position mentioned already. It is a normal, ergonomic position for a newborn and infants.

A third problem is that it puts stress on their spine. Babies at 1 start to have the S shape of the adult spine. Newborns have a C shaped spine and the BB and other carriers mentioned above forces the spine to straighten at a time of their life when is should have a distinct curve in it.

Lastly, when a baby is getting tired, it is made harder for a parent to notice as the baby is facing out. If the light is quite bright, he cannot turn away from the light as easily as he can if he is facing in, for example.

xposted.
and seem to have arsed up the link too!
I only tried an ergo briefly, I'm more of a wrap girl really . lots of people over on the sling and backpacks thread rate them. You have to try first though - a lot depends on your body shape - I think I didn't like the ergo much because the straps were a bit wide for my shoulders. Whereas wraps are infinitely adjustable!

Thanks again puddock !

Ah, thanks for clarifying, foxytocin.

I've got a Connecta and love it. DD used to love the BB and looking out so I was surprised that she's just as happy on my back where she can't see as well.
It's so much better for my back and she doesn't put a strain on it at 12 months either (although she's light). She sleeps in it really well even now and we've used it in lots of situations to get her to sleep; fantastic when flying.

I'm considering a Mei Tai next time because I watched a video where a newborn had the straps tied around its back (rather than under its bum) to support it better and you can't do that with a buckle carrier. It does come with a strap to narrow the crotch area for the first ten weeks but won't that then just be the same problem as the BB. Anyone know?

I've got a Sleepy Nico which is fab,can only use it from 3 months tho,so I've got a wrap for the early weeks.
I was given a babybjorn,was fine for newborn but gave me really bad backache as there is no support around the waist so the weight is all carried by your neck....although mine is old so maybe they've improved.

Thanks everyone. Just had a look at the Ergo - blimey that's expensive! I can see why the babybjorn could be a problem, particularly in the early days, so I might try something more like a wrap to start with.

hi just to add that the not only is the BB not great for the baby but it doesnt provide good support for your back either. With DS couldnt actually use it after first 2 months (he waas hooooge). Slings spread the weight better

I found the choice of sling types a bit overwhelming but our local sling meet has a sling rental service (2 quid a month) so you can try out different versions. Ive gone for a soft wrap initially but planning to go back and try out others as DC (due today! ) gets bigger and maybe buy a second hand one... certainly not up for the cost of a new ERGO

I confess to having every single type of carrier out there - and using them all at different times

Ds1 had reflux and the baby bjorn was a lifesaver as he could be upright facing out, so could interact with things. It did my back in but dh used it loads. Can't bf in it.

ergo/mei tai types great for older dc, but I don't find them good pre 6 months

with ds2 (2 weeks) I am currently using a wrap, which is comfortable for me but he will not stay indefinitely in it. Can bf in it though.

With ds1 at the same age we used a ring sling. Good for bfing in but not so great for my back as is asymmetric.

I also had a hip panda which was great for flinging on for short periods (older baby)

The ergo is still in use for our 3 yo ds1 - has been used to death so was worth the money.

But I made a mei tai for a grand total cost of about 10 quid which works just as well - I wouldn't buy another ergo as their corporate ethic is a bit dodgy but there are loads of other soft structured carriers out there.

baby bjorns & their ilk are notorious for causing back/shoulder ache once the baby gets heavier, and as others have already said they don't put the baby in a very good position. a soft structured carrier is just as easy to use as a BB but is more supportive to the baby & the wearer. i've just got a manduca & love it (as do DS & DP) - costs about £80 but can be used from newborn - toddler so worth the outlay. stretchy wraps like a kari-me or a moby are also great for newborns up to 5/6 months.

i second puddock's suggestion to get along to a sling meet - there were about 15 mums at the central london meet yesterday & it was brilliant another thing you could do is hire one for a couple of weeks to try out & see how you get on with it - that's what i did with the manduca. i highly recommend slumber-roo for hiring slings to try - £10.99 for 2 weeks & 10% off if you then decide to buy, & the customer service is excellent.

caen - as long as the crotch area is wide enough that the baby can sit into it with its legs in the froggy position & the fabric goes from back of knee to back of knee, it's wide enough. the reason the BB leaves the baby's legs dangling is because the fabric in the crotch area is so narrow, fitting more like a pair of pants (sorry, best analogy i can think of!)