Baby Bjjorn - why are they bad for the baby?

[PickledLily]

Or is it an urban myth? Lots of people (admittedly earth mother types) say they are told me they are bad for the babys hips, but they are paediatric recommended or something like that so what's the problem with them?

Crap grammar, am one handed on phone!

Ooh may not be the most helpful here as i'm an Earth Mother type lol but firstly your back will hate you after about 3 months using a bjorn, secondly the baby hangs from their crotch so legs dangle, this can cause hip diplasia. the thighs and knees of the child are pressed up against the adult. With each step of the baby wearer, the child?s knees are pushed backward. When this happens, the additional pressure from the child?s thighs increases the amount of stretching on his or her hip joints.

this doesn't happen in the froggy leg position, but think of it this way would you mind hanging from your crotch for an hour or more (especially if you were a boy).

in the end you have to be comfortable with your sling/carrier and you should get one you're happy with.

www.storchenwiege.com/babycarrierresearch.htm

Thanks for the info Crazy! Apologies for the earth mother ref.

I'd heard they caused hip dysplasia but I can't understand how, if that's the case, Baby Bjorn can claim to be paediatric approved blah blah. And given the number of people using the Baby Bjorn, I'm surprised we don't see more cases of hip dysplasia.

The link is interesting. I am concerned about causing hip problems for my baby. However I disagree with their opinion about baby facing outwards being bad because of external stimuli. I can see this could be an issue, but I guess it depends on the baby and where you are taking them.

I used a Close sling initially, which I loved and LO liked until she wanted to face outwards. LO now refuses to go in any sling where she can't face outwards or kick her legs around. Not that she's fussy

Are there any other alternatives for a facing forward sling?

I am interested in this, as there doesn't actually seem to be any actual research on it - none of the links I've clicked have actually contained proper studies (unless I'm not looking hard enough). So many people use Babybjorns that surely if they caused hip problems we would know about it? Or maybe not...

I'm not a massive fan of them beyond say 3 months as they give me a back ache once baby is bigger - but the claims about them being harmful to babies seem to be unproven?

Yep, exactly. There seems to be a view from some quarters that thou shall not wear a sling from a major brand.

Agree about Baby Bjorn being uncomfy to wear, my shoulders are aching from it. But more comfy than carrying her around withouta sling!

If she wants to face forwards have you tried a hip or back carry instead?

I wondered about this. In the end I used a baby Bjorne for both mine, dh carried dd up to the age of 1 and I could if needed to and it wasn't dreadfully uncomfy. I tried another slung when ds was to tiny but it didn't feel secure enough.

A hip carrier will be ideal once she's a bit older, but she's only 3 months and although she has very good head control I need something that gives me free hands and ideally that she can sleep in. I tried a Baba sling but she didn't like lying on her back or having her legs tucked up.

Actually what a really need is a skate board with a pillow I can attach her to and she can propel herself around.

I have a Beko Gemini, baby can front face in or out, on hip or on back. It's very easy to use and distributes the weight well.

I'd say have a wander down to a slingmeet and try everyone elses slings out. Facing out can put extra pressure on your back and shoulders and may not be ideal for supporting her little spine but it's not a form of torture and if you have done your research and feel happy doing it then there are worse things you could do to a baby.

I would say a high back carry would be good, some people do that from birth.

I had a sling used when tiny the a BB used from 3 mths with head support and baby's legs diddn't flex or bend.
From 4/5 mths I turned them face out and found them to be great. I had the Active so the back support was a godsend...no shoulder ache.
I used for walks before the back pack. For flying . Diddn't use daily apart from with No2 for about 2 weeks when I had to clean the house and she was a limpet.....
Both of mine seem fine no after effects.

I had three different slings and the baby bjorn active carrier (the one with lumbar support) was brilliant, it was the only one I felt the babies were properly secure in. I suspect a baby being held in any one position for an extended period is a bad idea - hence not leaving baby in car seat for long periods. Mine loved being in theirs and have no hip problems at all. That said they were all big babies so I couldn't keep them in there for long periods anyway.

I used BB for both of my dc. Both absolutely fine and it kept me sane when they were deciding to scream the moment they were put down

I came across these two articles with useful citations when looking into baby carriers and hip dysplasia:

bellebabycarriers.com/baby-carrier-babywearing_ergo_dysplasia.html

www.continuum-concept.org/reading/spinalStress.html

EBay is definitely my friend when it comes to buying slings. I think many wrap slings are overpriced too.

Lots of suggestions for slings, thank you! I'll take a look, as I can't make my local sling meet.

In the meantime if anyone knows of a sling that carries babies in the airplane position and then gently tips the baby into their cot without waking them id love to get one. My shoulders are aching!

BooBoo, I've just seen your reply, that first link is interesting and just about sums up the situation, thanks!

My main problem with Baby Bjorns and similar is that the whole weight of the babys body is on their crotch. That can't be terribly comfortable, even if you don't consider hip dysplasia to be a problem. Surely it is more comfortable to have your weight spread out.

Also if your baby wants to see you can use a back carry rather than facing out.

LO seems to be comfy, although I note what one of the links said about all the weight being on the lower spine.
Can the baby see out/forward from a back carrier? Seems like i might havethe same problem as the front inward facing carriers.

With back carries babies can see over your shoulder if you wrap them in the right way.