baby björn - should we keep it?

[ThreeWheelsGood]

We bought a Baby björn Miracle as a Christmas present for ourselves - bought online so still time to send back. I was convinced after chatting to another mum at the GPs who was carrying her 6 week old. Our is 7 weeks. She loves the pram. She's fussy in the evenings and likes being walked around upright in our arms.

So we tried the BB carrier a few times yesterday night and she was great in it while asleep but when wide awake didn't seem keen on being placed in it, but she might have been crying about something else iyswim.

what are your experiences of this carrier? I was going to get a Moby wrap originally but my mum convinced me the BB would suit my partner better.

Marmite, love or hate it. We loved it. I think you should persevere before making up your mind.

How big is she, or was she prem?

She is the average weight for age I think, must be around ten pounds. Was on 50th centile when last weighed. Nervous about going out with her in it in case she hates it! Will try it around the house a bit more.

That's big enough, just that tiddlers & premmies sometimes need different handling.

I had a moby wrap and loved it!

Different slings suit different people tho.

If you want a stretchy style carrier but more DH friendly the Close carrier is great. We had a manly charcoal colour and DH was always happy to wear it.

I haven't used a BB but you will prob have better resale on a Close carrier than a BB. Should get slightly longer use out of it too.

i agree get a close carrier for now and a manduca/beco butterfly/gemini/ ergo when baby outgrows it.

Check out www.cleverclogstrading.co.uk/ for genuine ergos. Amazon /ebay are awash with fakes

And please dont use it forward facing- it over simulates them.

Check out naturalmamas or sling guide

Not sure if this link will work - but it shows how soft slings are better for a baby's hip development. Personally, I would subscribe to a religion about wrap slings (I had a Moby and a VSL) and couldn't wear my BB for more than a few minutes without back ache !

There are some very varied opinions on Baby Bjorns, and some evidence that they can hurt a baby's hips through the way they are sat.

Your best bet is to find a local sling consultant or, better, sling meet and try a wide range of carriers before deciding.

There is a good article on how to choose a baby carrier - the upshot of which is to not choose a Baby Bjorn. Send it back and get a Moby!

Baby Wearing

BBs are badly designed, and not good for you or your baby.

I had a BB and loved it at first as I'd never used a sling before and thought it was great.

However once DS started getting a bit bigger it started hurting my back and shoulders. I just assumed he was getting too big for a sling. My friend loaned me a wrap sling, what a difference! It actually felt comfortable. I used that for ages, and also later an ergo baby slung which was also great.

I've since learnt that BBs are not good for your baby as all their weight is being supported on their crotch which is not good for them. Their bones are only just developing and their crotch is not meant to support all their weight. Slings like wraps and ergo baby spread the weight and so are better for your baby and your back.

BB are mass-produced pieces of overpriced rubbish in my eyes! In answer to your question, I'd get rid of it and try a wrap sling instead. They're lovely :)

If you google "what's wrong with baby bjorrns" you should find lots of pages which explain what's wrong with then better than me!

We used a Close carrier for the first 6 months, and now use an Ergo. Close carriers are ace, baby is so close, weight is nice and even too.