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Slings and backpacks

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Original poster

Why are BabyBjorns so popular? And why do people carry their babies outward facing?

54 replies

Norwegiana · 20/01/2012 18:00

I don't really get why Baby Bjorn is such a popular make of sling? Everyone I have met who has tried one says they're uncomfortable (actually two people say they are comfy, but the rest say it makes their shoulders hurt). As an experienced babywearer I have tried lots of slings and carriers (the Manduca being my favourite to wear on the back, on the front I prefer woven wraps). So I can't really critisise people when I don't know how it actually feels - but from what I've read, and what I can see, there are many much better (ergonomically) slings for baby and parent out there. It just looks uncomfortable for the baby to be hanging by the crotch, and I feel like saying something to every Baby Bjorn user I see, but obviously that would be rude.

Why are they so popular, and why don't people do a bit more research before they buy their sling?

OP posts:
peggyblackett · 20/01/2012 18:07

It's a matter of personal choice though.

I loathe Baby Bjorns, but I love my Bushbaby Cocoon. I cannot be doing with fartarsing around with a wrap sling - and yes, I did research and buy wraps - they're just not for us!

Love my rose and rebellion, which is as lentil weavery as I get when it comes to slings.

Original poster
Norwegiana · 20/01/2012 18:17

Ergos and Manducas are also ergonomically a much better choice, and have buckles not straps. Likewise the Beco. Must be that these are harder to come across unless you're good with getting information online. If Mothercare is the only place you buy baby stuff maybe the Bjorn seems an obvius choice?

It's just so weird...even my physio friend uses a Bjorn, despite me telling her of the advantages of other carriers (and I didn't say a bad thing about the Bjorn).

OP posts:
trixymalixy · 20/01/2012 18:23

I tried loads, i didnt get on with ring slings or the wilkinet or others I tried, but preferred the babybjorn. Both my two liked being able to see so they faced out sometimes.

trixymalixy · 20/01/2012 18:24

I think there is a definite element of availability as well.

strandednomore · 20/01/2012 18:26

I liked the Baby Bjorn, it was comfortable and free because we borrowed one! Tbh had it just been me and had I had the chance to try a few different ones out I might have used something else but dh wouldn't have been happy carrying a baby around in what he terms a "hippy" sling but for some reason he was comfortable with the Bjorn and what was important for me was that he carried our daughter not how he carried her! She always seemed more than happy in a Bjorn and it was easy to get on with things wearing her.
We turned her round to be outward facing when she got to an age where she was interested in the world. At that point I'm not sure how I would have felt about having a sling where the baby can't see anything....
In an ideal world I would have had about eight different slings for different occasions!

QueenOfFeckingEverything · 20/01/2012 18:38

Because they are pretty much all that is on sale in Mothercrap/Mamas&Papas?

Then, because they get uncomfy after the first few months, people assume that is due to the weight of the baby not the design of the carrier, and think they can't carry the baby any longer. Plus carrying them facing outwards spreads the weight differently and isn't as comfortable IMO.

Unless you actively seek it out, there is not really any information on other slings out there. I have various slings that I use a lot with my 18mo and get people asking about them all the time, and I always tell people where they come from and where to get more information.

Mind you there are Close carriers in mainstream baby shops, but again, they aren't really much cop with a baby over a few months old.

fuckityfuckfuckfuck · 20/01/2012 18:41

Agree it's to do with availability. I had one with dd as I knew no better. Any other sling I saw was on a 'hippy type' and I just thought it all a bit weird. Then I had my second dd, got a black stretchy wrap and saw the light. But I had to actively seek out that sling, not just pop to Mothercare.

Rosa · 20/01/2012 18:43

I had the active bb with back support and I loved it. I used it from 3 months however and depending on the circumstances had to facing me or outwards. It was great at airports , walks especially when I needed hands. Used it on 2 dd until they were about 8 mths !

Meglet · 20/01/2012 18:43

I ended up with a second hand baby bjorn, it was fine for a few months.

I faced the dc's out as soon as possible. The big wide world is a lot more exciting than looking at my neck.

QueenOfFeckingEverything · 20/01/2012 18:48

I carry DS on my back which gives him a better view and makes it possible for me to bear his (not inconsiderable!) weight Grin and if he is tired, he can rest his head on my shoulder to sleep.

But, despite being a massive big hippy, I didn't know there were alternatives to the usual carriers or that it was even possible to wear a sling on your back until I stumbled across another forum where I found loads out.

Loopymumsy · 20/01/2012 18:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YankNCock · 20/01/2012 18:53

I was given two slings, one Baby Bjorn, one Kari-Me. I used both and found I liked the Kari-Me for indoors, but for being out and about, the BB was easier to get on and get DS in it. With the wrap one I kept dragging the ends on the ground and getting it dirty while I was trying to get it on and get DS into it from the car.

BB absolutely saved us when we were stuck in Amsterdam for 6 days with no luggage and just a cheap chicco stroller. Didn't have much warm stuff for DS who was 7 months and couldn't afford to buy loads, so he was in the BB most of the time with a big fluffy hoody covering both of us!

I found it a bit boob-squashing, but not uncomfortable. Also it was one of the few things that fit my larger DH.

doblet · 20/01/2012 18:56

I loved my baby bjorn and so did dd. Can't find a backpack though, have tried the ultralite little life but found it really uncomfy. If I got a 'hippy' one then DH would not use it

MrsDobalina · 20/01/2012 19:00

I'm not sure why they are so popular but from personal preference they are my favourite sling from 0-6 months. I am just so hopeless at wrap slings, the babies were forever lolling around and just took forever to put on, even after a lot of practise. The bb is the quickest and easiest IMO to chuck the baby in and go. I use the ergo now as I swear I am allergic to knots, but even that is a faff to do up and get the baby in compared to the bb.

BertieBotts · 20/01/2012 19:01

It's because they are all you can buy in mainstream baby shops, and most people either don't think to look elsewhere or don't want to (not knowing a name means that in general people are less likely to trust it) and the aforementioned thing about "other" slings either being fairly hippyish looking, or at first glance if you're not really paying attention, an SSC or mei tai could look a lot like a baby bjorn.

Facing outwards is popular because babies are nosy, and facing in isn't much fun for them after a while in one of the popular/easily available carriers, because they don't have much movement to be able to see out. And if they're uncomfortable, they are likely to wriggle which leads parents to believe they don't like it. In a better designed carrier, it's normally possible to turn the baby's body partially to the side, or one arm in/one out, so that they can look around a bit more, but still have the security of your chest to hide in if it gets too much.

Also, when babies get overstimulated, they tend to be very quiet and withdraw - this happens when facing out and can be mistaken for interest/contentment, especially if it overrides the wriggling instinct due to discomfort. Generally a baby interested in his/her environment will be smiley, giggly and/or babbling away. Some babies even fall asleep as a defence mechanism to overstimulation.

I don't think though that facing out is a massive problem, because it puts strain on your back in such a way that unless you have strong shoulders, it's not comfy for very long. So I don't think that people tend to do it for long periods anyway.

peggyblackett · 20/01/2012 19:02

A lot of you are assuming that those of us using a more structured sling haven't been bothered to try others. I had a moby and loathed it.

BertieBotts · 20/01/2012 19:03

You can get buckle carriers for back carries which aren't hippyish, in plain colours like the baby bjorn is. The best two IMO are the Beco Butterfly or the Boba 3G (or the 2G is the slightly older version which is cheaper second hand now) or the toddler Patapum is a great budget option.

QueenOfFeckingEverything · 20/01/2012 19:08

Wrap slings aren't the only alternative though - I can't be doing with them myself either!

We've got one of these which is not hippyish at all. Its just way more comfortable than a Baby Bjorn (for baby and parent)despite being as easy to use, structured, and with buckles.

marshmallowpies · 20/01/2012 19:14

My mum ripped out a page of reviews from Which? and that had the Baby Bjorn as by far the best budget option (i.e. under £100).

The only one they rated higher was a backpack carrier that was described as the Rolls Royce of baby carriers, the sort of thing people doing a serious amount of hiking with a baby in tow might use.

I was all set to buy a BB based on that review (and a recommendation from a friend as well), but then read all the stuff on here and now very unsure.

Think I will wait until baby is actually here and try some on for size in store, to see what feels comfortable before we buy.

I like the idea of getting a sling for carrying the baby around indoors, so she can get the comfort of body warmth and I don't have to keep picking her up and putting her down, but I know my DP is the sort of man who won't be seen dead in a sling! (I quoted to him something I had read on here - MN is the fount of all knowledge of course - 'would you rather be in a hammock or a parachute harness?' and he did see the logic, but not sure I convinced him...)

RitaMorgan · 20/01/2012 19:26

I think mostly it's due to availability.

Also, many people don't know that it's not good for the baby's hips/spine.

Most people also believe that you can only carry a baby in a sling for 6-8 months before they get too heavy.

Loopymumsy · 20/01/2012 19:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Iggly · 20/01/2012 19:34

Our first sling was a bjorn. It was very easy to use until DS got too heavy. I never faced him out - it made him sick!

For DD I knew better and have a close carrier which is great but fabric twists a bit and it's no good for taking out in crap weather (dorsnt feel robust enough) and none of my costs fit over the sling with DD in it.

So for going out I have a manduca. It's a lot more fiddly than the bjorn and DD is too big for the newborn insert but not quite comfy without so it's awkward getting her comfy. But she falls asleep very quickly and it feels very robust.

Slings are fab! And I'm no hippy Wink

MissBetsyTrotwood · 20/01/2012 19:35

I liked the Baby Bjorn. It was easy to get on and off and when they were still facing you, you could easily take the sling off with them still on the front bit and put them down while they were asleep. Some of my friends didn't like them though.

I think it depends on the baby too. DS1 loved the wrap sling. I think it was the wrapped up tight feeling as he loved being swaddled and still sleeps totally under his covers with just his nose poking out. He was also a winter baby. DS2 was a summer baby, loved the leg swinging Baby Bjorn, hated the wrap/swaddling and now sleeps with all his covers kicked off, flat on his back, arms and legs flung apart...

Find a cheap one on ebay or borrow one and try as many as you can. There are sling meets, right?

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 20/01/2012 19:36

I found the Bjorn much easier and more comfortable than the other slings/wraps I tried. But I see now it is the work of the devil and I have clearly condemned my offspring to a life of health problems and ASBOs.

pootlebug · 20/01/2012 19:36

I really don't think the Manduca, Ergo, Boba, Beco Butterfly, Patapum or several others are in any way 'hippyish' in the majority of their prints. So the idea that it is bjorn or hippydom just isn't the case - but I think a lot of parents believe that is the choice.

Also a lot of people assume from the start that their baby will be too heavy to carry by 6 months or so....because other people have told them so....either based on their own experience or their assumptions. So when their baby is too heavy in a bjorn by 6 months they don't see it as a weakness in the carrier style - just that they've reached the end of that stage.

The lack of choice in mainstream baby shops is the biggest problem - people want to try things on, or go on the recommendations of the shop assistant (who is hardly going to say 'Oh don't buy one of the rubbish ones we stock!'). There are more and more sling libraries around now and hopefully that will help parents to find something that is comfortable for them and their baby.